Monte Del Castello

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2014

Yes—exactly that kind of wine: timeless, composed, and quietly authoritative.

It smells so good on first pour. Damp pine forest floor and clean mountain air register immediately. Everything else unravels from there; but that initial pop-and-pour sniff is pure magic.

On the palate, blackcurrant, cedar, graphite, and dried herbs unfold with control, carried by freshness and finely etched tannins in a medium body.

So classic, so intellectual, and deeply mesmerizing. Drink now or age.
— 8 days ago

Ted, Sagee and 9 others liked this

Romano Dal Forno

Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore Corvina Blend 2013

Presented double-blind at Tasting Group. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and no obvious signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with powerful notes of ripe and some dried fruits: bramble berries, slightly stewed black cherry, dried herbs, stony earth, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. The alcohol is high.

Initial conclusions: this could be a Grenache-based blend, Corvina-based blend or Sangiovese-based blend from France or Italy. I felt the combination of slightly stewed cherry and spices ruled out what I would want from a Sangiovese blend. Which, left me to decide between Southern Rhône or Valpolicella. I liked this wine…the oak treatment was interesting. I was getting a French barrique. Hmmm…

So, for my final conclusion: I’m calling this a Grenache-based blend, from France, from Southern Rhône, from Chateauneuf-du-Pape, 2017, from a more modern leaning producer using a good portion of barrique. I’ll be damned! I don’t hate my call but I gotta get better at distinguishing these wines from Southern Rhône. I probably just need to drink more of both, lol. Tasty stuff! Drink now through 2039.
— 23 days ago

Mark, Douglas and 6 others liked this
Zach D

Zach D

That’s a super tough blind tasting. Good deductive reasoning. Cheers

Castello dei Rampolla

Sammarco Toscana SuperTuscan Blend 2016

i always enjoy this. Rich yet elegant, this delivered on all notes. Soft berries on the nose, rich black fruit and mellow tannins give way the burnt sandal leather from the Tuscan sun. Yummy — 21 days ago

Andrew, Serge and 4 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2016

Last had 4 years ago and was excited to check in - this didn’t disappoint. That perfect ridge mix of old world sensibility and composition with new world fruit and character. 13.8%. Finish is long with nice acid. Great pairing with steaks. Nice wine.

Happy New Year!
— 3 days ago

Jay, Ira and 7 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

An icon for a reason. Exactly what you want from a California Cab. Balanced yet bold, powerful yet refined. Amazing. — 20 days ago

Marc, Andrew and 10 others liked this
Pinotman /// Andreas

Pinotman /// Andreas

Unlike most other Cabs they use American Oak

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

Bought at Pine Orchard 11/25 $70 after tasting at Ridge in 10/25. Less expensive here. The 2023 is rated at 100 pts. Absolutely delicious. Floral aromas, lightly crisp, subtle oak, smooth finish. — 20 days ago

Castello di Monsanto

Il Poggio Riserva Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend 1982

This bottled was purchased at the estate last year; double-decanted earlier in the day and enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 1982 “Il Poggio” Riserva pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with no staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and dried Morello cherry, red rope licorice, my grandmother’s attic, old leather bound books and dry, iron rich earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin (integrated) and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ with ferrous minerals. What a lovely, mature Riserva and killer with mushroom risotto. I wouldn’t worry about this dropping off a cliff anytime soon but this is ready to drink now through 2037+ — 9 days ago

Scott@Mister, Pooneet and 7 others liked this

Castello di Monsanto

Riserva Chianti Classico Sangiovese Blend 2017

Deep Ruby with aromas of fresh ripe berry fruits, floral and slight spicy notes. Blend of 95% Sangiovese; 5% Canaiolo & Colorino, aged 24 months in oak. Fruit comes primarily from a small parcel of galestro-rich soils. On the palate cherry and black raspberry flavors, adding lovely floral notes, well balanced with acidity and fine tannins. The finish is long ending with slight earthy toasty minerality. Very Nice!! — 20 days ago

Tom, Daniel and 4 others liked this

Louis M. Martini

Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Delicious cab. Aged nicely. Paired well with our slow cooked beef. — 16 days ago