Half Moon Bay

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2019

Just a half bottle test.. way way too early. Decanted and it needed a solid hour before it unfolded at all. Great structure lurking but this experience was impaired by immaturity. — 2 days ago

Andrew, Jan and 16 others liked this

First Drop Wines

Shiraz/Monastrell Half & Half Shiraz Blend 2011

Nice simple label and screw-top ease. Deep, dark color. Herbal and lovely aroma. Olive and fresh bay leaves to go with the mixed berry. Flavors are nice. Very much Rhône flavored. Balanced. Avoids the Aussie 🍉 🍎 💣 trappings. — 2 years ago

Eric, Sharon and 1 other liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Chardonnay 2013

Not an easy vintage to find.
Ridge says it’s a 15 year bottle, half way there and its already in tip top shape.
— 3 years ago

Kerry, Tom and 22 others liked this
Severn Goodwin

Severn Goodwin Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Very nice

Trader Moon

Bay Moon California Sauvignon Blanc 2022

As a primarily red wine drinker, I decided to try this one & am glad I did! Light, crisp and refreshing- perfect for a hot summer day. — 6 months ago

Bruna Grimaldi

Camilla Barolo Nebbiolo 2018

2018 vintage. Lighter in body but good length of cola, bay leaf and black pepper flavors on the finish. So youthful. A half-decade would do wonders. — 2 years ago

Ted, Severn and 10 others liked this

Kelley Fox Wines

Maresh Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019

Delectable Wine
9.4

Shimmering red. Smoke- and spice-accented cherry, raspberry and blueberry scents are complemented by suggestions of savory herbs and pungent flowers. Shows very good depth as well as energy to bitter cherry, black raspberry and espresso flavors that take a sweeter turn through the back half. Dusty tannins frame the persistent finish, which leaves cherry pit and fresh bay notes behind. (Josh Raynolds, Vinous, February 2022)
— 3 years ago

Severn liked this

Juniper Estate

Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

See previous notes from November 2020. Herbaceous is the word together with plum and blackberry - some earthiness with a note of mushroom. In summary - Herbal, Mineral, Bay leaf. Not the complete package like it’s more illustrious Wilyabrup neighbours like Woodlands, Moss Wood, Vasse Felix, Cullen etc but also half the price so good QPR. Tasted again 60 weeks later on 6th September 2022 with similar results A good wine that drinks to its price point. Not quite the standard of its illustrious neighbours. Not as much maritime influence? — 3 years ago

Ceccherini, Douglas and 20 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Chardonnay

Delightfully complicated California Chard masquerading as a White Burgundy. French nose and French finish. Minerals, flint, stone and fruit—apple, pear, peach and nectarine, with an obvious but restrained layer of oak. Not overly fruity or oaky; no pineapple or butterscotch here. Paired well with the Seafood Tower, Swordfish and Black Cod at the Water Grill Santa Monica. This was a juvenile 2021 vintage, tasted in 2024. Eager to try this gem after another half decade. — 7 months ago

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2018

2018 vintage. Enveloping, deep French oak nose. Light-medium/medium body. Hammer drops of tangerine, lanolin, Persian lime and guava flavor wise. The 2017 vintage had a little more acidity and is/was showing fantastic but this vintage seems to have a little more “personality.” Obvs super-youthful and needs some space and time. If you can lay off it for a year or two, kudos. For the rest of us mere mortals, this is world-class Chardonnay at a seventh of the comparable French white burg pricing and half/a third of many of the high-end California Chard producers. QPR in spades. — 3 years ago

Aaron, Bob and 22 others liked this
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

Nice notes, @vinokeeno. I like the fact that you are seeing a little more acid. I like that in US chards, as they tend to be a little muted in that department.
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

@Ron R hoping the flabby days are over.

Rhys Vineyards

Alesia Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2017

Love these in half bottles. — 3 years ago