Monte Sur

Laurent-Perrier

Millésime Brut Champagne Blend 2012

Pale lemon in color.

Nice on the nose, and medium in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing citrus, green apples, light spices, yeast, light brioche, minerals and sea salt.

Long finish with limes and almonds.

This 14 year old Champagne is starting to drink nicely now. Rich and nicely balanced. Tangy and spicy.

Still young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

I've had a few vintages of this Champagne, and this one seems less approachable at the moment.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food, like fresh seafood.

A blend of 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir. Aged for 7 years on the lees.

12% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$100.
— 8 days ago

Daniel, Ted and 13 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a purple rim.

Beautiful nose and medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.

Dry on the palate with nice complexity.

Showing red and black fruits with cedar, licorice, chocolates, herbs, light earth, spices, tobacco leaf, dark coffee and light green vegetables.

Spicy finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.

This iconic Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Santa Cruz Mountains in California is still very young, but already delicious, even by itself.

Needs a few hours to open up properly, and will continue to age nicely in the next 30 years. Showing good potential to become a 95+ point wine.

A great sipping wine that paired beautifully with my Lamb chops.

A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc and 2% Petit Verdot. Aged in American oak barrels for 20 months.

13.8% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$300.
— a month ago

Jay, Tom and 11 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2019

Second & last of my bottles. Wonderful, while ready to drink still has plenty of years ahead of it. — 4 months ago

Favia

Cerro Sur Napa Valley Red Blend 2012

Looks like this is my 6th rating of this wine. PNP drinking fantastic now. Super silky. Perfectly integrated, very ripe black and blue fruit. Lovely! — 6 months ago

Union des Proprietaires Recoltants

Le Mesnil Brut Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru Champagne Chardonnay

Non vintage but with >5 years bottle age. Amazingly dry and crisp. Was not expecting apple and dryness. So fine with yeasty notes. Long and satisfying — 7 months ago

Le Rocher des Violettes (Xavier Weisskopf)

Touche-Mitaine Montlouis-sur-Loire Chenin Blanc 2022

Ted
9.2

Outstanding. Mouthwatering with slight candied lemon. Golden yellow in color. Fill up my glass again please. — 16 days ago

Dawn, Dave and 4 others liked this

Salon

'S' Blanc de Blancs Le Mesnil Brut Chardonnay 2004

Rounded and polished. Soft citrus and wet stone. Rounded and classy. Drinking well now — a month ago

Jay, Bob and 9 others liked this

Delamotte

Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger Brut Champagne Blend

Amy
9.0

thatchers, round, liked! — a month ago

Pierre Moncuit

Grand Cru Delos Brut Blanc de Blancs Chardonnay

Dry bitter lemon rind, smooth bubbles, super clean. — 2 months ago

Ray, Douglas and 2 others liked this

Domaine de la Pépière

La Pepie Muscadet Sevre et Maine Sur Lie Melon de Bourgogne 2024

A little leaner than 2023 but still beautiful, lemon and lime and flint. — 4 months ago

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 1997

One of my absolute favorite California wines. The California Latour. ‘97 is superb—vividly detailed and complex with both power and elegance. A masterful balance of fruit, tertiary character and cooling acidity with a silky palate and melting tannins. Hard to beat for a Wagyu pairing. — 6 months ago

Paul, Tom and 6 others liked this

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. — 8 months ago

Krug

Clos du Mesnil Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne Chardonnay 2004

A light nose of lime and stone. A hint of green apple. On the palate lovely fine acidity. This it’s defined and sharp and edgy with great definition and very fine detail. Lovely stuff — a month ago

Jay, Bob and 5 others liked this

Louis M. Martini

Monte Rosso Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Deep Ruby color with intense black fruit aromas of cassis, black cherry, blackberry, violet, vanilla, cedar and crushed stone minerality. Light eucalyptus, forest floor, cigar box and graphite. Well balanced tannin and acidity though the wine feels a bit over-extracted. Delicious but a little heavy. Lots of room for development. — a month ago

Scott@Mister, Paul and 2 others liked this

Delamotte

Le Mesnil-Sur-Oger Brut Blanc de Blancs Champagne 2014

After I tried through the other Champagnes. This came across as sweet. Just not a fan of this house. — a month ago

Tom, Shay and 2 others liked this

Suavia

Monte Carbonare Garganega 2023

Peach citrus upfront with a nice mineral finish — 2 months ago

Speri

Monte Sant'Urbano Amarone della Valpolicella Classico Corvina Blend 2020

Sant’Urbano, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico 2020, Veneto, Italy 🇮🇹

Overview
Produced by Speri in the historic hills of Valpolicella Classico, the Sant’Urbano Amarone is one of the estate’s flagship wines and a benchmark expression of the style. Crafted from the traditional Amarone blend, primarily Corvina, Corvinone, and Rondinella, the grapes undergo the classic appassimento drying process for several months before fermentation, concentrating flavors and structure. The 2020 vintage shows remarkable balance between richness and freshness, delivering depth while maintaining precision and lift.

Aromas & Flavors
Subtle yet expressive layers of dried raisin, marmalade, and dark fruit compote emerge alongside notes of ripe cherry, fig, and delicate spice. The aromatic profile reveals the classic Amarone character without becoming overly heavy, allowing fruit purity and complexity to remain in focus.

Mouthfeel
Full-bodied yet remarkably lively, the wine moves across the palate with impressive energy. Structured tannins and vibrant acidity provide a firm backbone, giving the wine lift and elegance. The texture is rich but polished, and the finish is long, layered, and persistent, suggesting a wine that will continue to evolve and climb with further aging.

Food Pairings
This Amarone pairs beautifully with slow-braised meats, roasted lamb, venison, and rich game dishes where its concentration and acidity complement savory depth. It also shines alongside aged cheeses such as Parmigiano Reggiano or Pecorino, where the wine’s structure and lingering finish enhance the richness of the pairing.

Verdict
A beautifully balanced Amarone that combines power with finesse. Structured, energetic, and elegant, it delivers both immediate pleasure and strong aging potential.

Did You Know?
The Sant’Urbano vineyard from which this wine takes its name is one of Speri’s historic crus in Valpolicella Classico and is considered among the estate’s most important sites for producing Amarone with both structure and longevity.

🍷 Personal Pick
An Amarone that truly danced across the palate, rich yet vibrant, with subtle dried fruit, marmalade, and compote supported by strong structure and acidity. Delicious now, but clearly a wine that still has room to climb.
— 5 months ago

Tom, Bob and 3 others liked this