Monte Faustino

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

The 2022 release is a hit!
Deep purple color. Aromas of black cherry, cola, dried herbs and cedar. Black and blue fruit on the palate, herbs and oak on the finish.

🏅97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
🏅94 Points -
@Dr. Owen Bargreen
— 11 days ago

Lisanne, Tom and 13 others liked this

Lorenzo Begali

Monte Ca' Bianca Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Corvina Blend 2019

Vanilla scent after. Light and soft fruits. Drinkable and delicious. — 19 hours ago

Paul liked this

Monte Xanic

Gran Ricardo Valle de Guadalupe Red Blend 2021

A very good Valle de Guadalupe wine. Smooth, chocolate, leather, and earthy. Great with steaks. May 2024 — 2 months ago

Dave, Doug and 1 other liked this

Bodegas Faustino

Gran Reserva Faustino I Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2014

Delicious for $40-needs to open up a little-drink now through 2030 — 3 months ago

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1997

Thought we’d had our last bottle 4 years ago but then found this one. Probably better then, but still very nice. Definitely quite secondary, but the core of fruit and acid carries through. Wonderful pairing with dry aged strip steaks and wild mushroom risotto for our 10 year anniversary. — 21 days ago

Zach, Tom and 5 others liked this
Seth Masterson

Seth Masterson

One of our local stars.
Severn G

Severn G Influencer Badge Premium Badge

❤️👍🏼
Jason Gelman

Jason Gelman

happy 10 and lucky find!

Monte Bernardi

Retromarcia Chianti Classico Sangiovese 2022

Nice. Old school not very funky but nice — 21 days ago

Monte Bernardi

Sa'etta Chianti Classico Riserva Sangiovese Blend 2021

Jeremy Shanker
9.3

Favorite Chianti at the moment. — a month ago

Pooneet, Tom and 1 other liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon

Ridge – Monte Bello 2017
Santa Cruz Mountains – California, USA 🇺🇸
Blend: 73% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 8% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Franc

Overview
One of California’s most legendary wines, Ridge Monte Bello has been estate-grown, produced, and bottled entirely in-house since the 1960s. The 2017 vintage reflects a Bordeaux-inspired blend from the cool Santa Cruz Mountains, offering both structure and elegance. (Educational note: Monte Bello’s higher-altitude vineyards give cooler temperatures, yielding more restrained, ageworthy wines compared to Napa Valley powerhouses.)

Aromas & Flavors
Blackberry, cassis, and red plum at the core, accented by cedar, graphite, and cocoa. Hints of tobacco, dried herbs, and floral notes bring depth and complexity.

Mouthfeel
Medium to full-bodied with polished tannins and refreshing acidity. A graceful, layered wine that “dances on the palate,” finishing long and harmonious with both power and finesse.

Food Pairings
Perfect with grilled lamb, prime rib, or braised short ribs. Also pairs beautifully with mushroom risotto or aged cheeses.

Verdict
A benchmark California classic — Bordeaux in inspiration, but with a Santa Cruz identity all its own. The 2017 Monte Bello is elegant, expressive, and deeply satisfying. 🍷

Did You Know?
Ridge’s Monte Bello gained international fame in the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting, where it ranked among the world’s top Cabernets, cementing California’s place on the fine wine map.

Collector’s Rarity 📌
Highly allocated and cellared by collectors worldwide, Ridge Monte Bello is a vertical-worthy wine with decades of aging potential.
— 23 days ago

Andrew and Ted liked this

Romano Dal Forno

Vigneto Monte Lodoletta Valpolicella Superiore Corvina Blend 2018

One of those surprisingly good wines. — a month ago

Tom, Rob and 6 others liked this

Bodegas Faustino

Faustino V Reserva Rioja Tempranillo Blend 2018

Delicious! Presents with milk chocolate, tomato leaves, red raspberries, garrique, thyme, graham cracker crust, and pomegranate. Every time I pick up the glass, I discover something new! — 2 months ago

Ted, Dave and 11 others liked this
Dave

Dave

Ooh I saw this yesterday. Should I try it?
Dawn E.

Dawn E.

@Dave for the price point yes! This was 2nd day after opening, needs a good decant.
Dave

Dave

Thanks! I'll get one for the next grilling night 😊