Jane Nuss

9.0

Pale lemon. One the nose- apple, pear, peach, citrus, and a grassy/herbaceous note that I can’t put my finger on. Burst of grapefruit and pineapple with some minerality on the palate. Medium body. Nice, zesty acidity. Was a bit tight at first out of the bottle. Best to let it breathe a bit and losen up some. Fun and cheeky wine! — 6 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2018 vintage. Oak a little showier than last visit 4.20.24. *Full disclosure* Probably my favorite CA cabernet for QPR purposes-year in, year out-since the early 90's. Not inexpensive, yet, in a world of ridiculous CA cab pricing, this is a bargain. Had I storage space and projected lifespan, would pick up two cases and crack a bottle every year starting in 2028. Some overt baby fat/oak to dissipate in anticipation. Currently, wanting more structure and depth but, given the track record with this wine/producer, it's enroute. 5.29.24. — 7 months ago

Victor Hsu

9.3

Privileged to sample the 2016 Monte Bello at the winery as part of their Library offerings. The bottle is $375 at the winery. Tight and tannic after 8 years (and half an hour of decanting) but promising much more. Josh at the winery concedes that it’s in a dumb phase but should reach its peak in 20-30 years. I could analyze and pick apart this one for hours. — 10 months ago

Andrew

9.0

2014 drunk in 2024. Last bottle of this vintage. Still holds up and has more time in it. Lovely subtlety that does open up a bit with time.  — 3 months ago

David Shaw

9.0

Last bottle of vintage — 6 months ago

Kurt Schuster

9.1

 Incredibly light, almost see-through clear, went perfectly with the slow roasted leg of lamb. We had along with its black garlic and mushroom sauce. Perfect example of drink wine, and eat food from the same location they came from.  — 7 months ago

with Denise

Aaron Rankin

9.3

Posted this bottle before. All I’ll say is how well it’s aged. This isn’t going anywhere yet I can’t resist drinking it at this stage. — 2 years ago

Vino Joe

9.4

A very reliable producer. Plenty left under the hood. Half bottle delight. Tons of sediment and the cork was intact but crumbled upon opening. Stewed for an hour and then began to be ready. Rounded succulent mature fruit a bit smoky and great balance/mouthfeel. — 5 months ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Opened the evening prior at 7pm and double-decanted; the bottle was left at room temp with the cork pressed lightly back into the neck until service. The 2000 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and a slightly water rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and showing some real power with a compelling combination of ripe and desiccated fruit: dark brambles, cassis, leather, dill, olives, spiced meat, tobacco and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and whoa is it ever delicious. This has to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink now through 2040. — 6 months ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.2

The Salvador vnd from contra costa is always one of my favorite turley wines. So expressive from those sandy soils.
On the nose it could be nothing other than zin. It is so suave and silky. Not a hard edge to be found. Just a really easy and pleasing bottle of wine. Like a living poet, it requires little fanfare. — 2 years ago