Jay Kline

9.7

Of all the American red wines that participated in the Judgement of Paris, it could be argued that Monte Bello has shown the greatest propensity to age. In fact, I would go as far as it requires lengthy cellaring to extract its best. I’ve had the good fortune to drink a number of tremendous vintages of Monte Bello over the last several years and this one has got to be at or near the top of the lot.

Opened and poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1991 Monte Bello pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core moving out towards a light ruby rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) with gorgeous notes of ripe and tart black currants, mixed bramble fruit, tobacco, some purple flowers, dill, mint, leather, earth, vanilla and associated baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The structure remains tremendous which again, seems to indicate youth. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and immensely satisfying. This is one of those wines that will outlive most humans. Drinking well now with a short decant but this has the gas to see 2061 with ease. — 3 days ago

Bryan Kesting

9.5

Drinking so well . Fun to drink alongside of the other 3. Not quite as good as the Alpine but very close. — a month ago

Bruce Bullock

9.4

Wow! Really hit the spot with the next generation. We went out with a bunch of 30 something things and they fell over for this wine. So did I and can’t believe how good it was. Really would like to get some more. — 3 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Presented double-blind. The wine appears a straw color; medium viscosity with no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of orchard fruit: apples, lemon curd, nuts and lees. Lavishly oaked. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and lovely. I called Chardonnay from the United States, California, Napa Valley 2019. So close! Drink now through 2029. — 24 days ago

Ed Chin

9.2

Tons of red and dark fruit. Mainly cherries and a bit of raspberry and spice. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured, enjoyed over the course of five days and consistent throughout. The 2022 Contra Costa County pours a deep ruby color with an opaque core, medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with predominant notes of black fruit: black plum, blackberry, black cherry, some strawberry, licorice, dried green herbs, and gravelly earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes on the nose. The finish is medium and the fruit has an almost crunchy texture. This is such a versatile red wine and I don’t know that I could ever really get enough of it. Drink now through 2032. — 2 months ago

David White

9.1

2023 - Now owned by LMH the style has somewhat reverted to the herbaceous style of the 90s that made it famous, so pleasant surprise- citrus, melon, lime, and grasses- like it
One of the earlier ratings is 10 and several 7.2, so overall rating is skewed to lower side
Delectable needs to eliminate these outliers to make average ratings meaningful — 22 days ago

Mark S.

9.2

Deep cherry red. Black currant. Vanilla. Gentle aroma. Silky tannin. Superb balance among sweetness, spiciness and acidity. Full of elegance. Mount Eden Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 17 @13750, Yang, 241222 — a month ago

Vasanth Balakrishnan

9.4

So glad our impressions from the tasting at the Lytton Springs tasting room was borne out over a year later. You probably haven’t had a #chardonnay like this. This vintage has a distinctive green curry leaf (Bergera koenigii) aroma, backed by dried pineapple, toasted almonds. There’s some weight on the palate, stone fruit, pear and hints of vanilla. Beautifully complex and paired wonderfully with heirloom Mexican corn tortilla tacos. #ridgevineyards — 3 months ago

Jess

9.2

Pale-medium ruby color.
Aromas of strawberry
Dry. Flavors of strawberry, raspberry, cherry, cinnamon, white pepper, anise, mushroom finish. Soft, supple tannins.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 5/5
Finish: 5/5 — 3 months ago