Santa Helena

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 1991

Of all the American red wines that participated in the Judgement of Paris, it could be argued that Monte Bello has shown the greatest propensity to age. In fact, I would go as far as it requires lengthy cellaring to extract its best. I’ve had the good fortune to drink a number of tremendous vintages of Monte Bello over the last several years and this one has got to be at or near the top of the lot.

Opened and poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1991 Monte Bello pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core moving out towards a light ruby rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) with gorgeous notes of ripe and tart black currants, mixed bramble fruit, tobacco, some purple flowers, dill, mint, leather, earth, vanilla and associated baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The structure remains tremendous which again, seems to indicate youth. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and immensely satisfying. This is one of those wines that will outlive most humans. Drinking well now with a short decant but this has the gas to see 2061 with ease.
— 3 days ago

Andrew, Tom and 15 others liked this

Belle Glos

Clark & Telephone Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

Dry, light acidity, berries and dark fruit. Rich and with some depth for a Pinot Noir. — 21 days ago

Ted, Mark and 1 other liked this

Santa Margherita

Valdadige Pinot Grigio 2023

Sold at Trader Joe’s and Costco. Mel brought it — 7 days ago

Spottswoode

Family Estate Grown St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2002

2002 vintage. Nice fill, good cork. Decanted with a respectable amount of powdery sed. Smelled great during decanting. Tasted 1.5 hours after opening/decanting. Expected light body with delicate tendrils. Medium body with a light palate footprint. Holy shazzbaat. This was absolutely firing. Like top of the pops, straight up to number one. Exceptional knitting and in a perfect spot now. Go all the way back to the inaugural 1982 vintage with this winery’s cabernet…thought my all-time fave was the 1991 altho the 1986 and 1987 were special. The 2020, picked early, thus avoiding the fires, is phenomenal as well. This was on another level and have had approx 150 bottles of Spottswoode Cab in the last three + decades. It was probably the best out of all of them. Difficult to imagine Napa Cab better than this. Power and finesse on display. Not improving but can hold this intensity for another 4-5 years. 12.24.24. — a month ago

Shay, Jan and 13 others liked this

Roar

Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir 2017

Very nice and smooth start to finish. Dark fruits mainly and fully integrated. Last bottle of 2017 — 10 days ago

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2019

Presented double-blind. The wine appears a straw color; medium viscosity with no signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of orchard fruit: apples, lemon curd, nuts and lees. Lavishly oaked. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and lovely. I called Chardonnay from the United States, California, Napa Valley 2019. So close! Drink now through 2029. — 25 days ago

Andrew, Douglas and 10 others liked this

Belle Glos

Las Alturas Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

Really tasty. Perhaps the first Cali Pinot noir that I’ve enjoyed, also probably because it drinks more like a zin. Dark opaque red. Slightly smokey. Full bodied. Bought it on sale for $35. Would love to have again. Had with apps on New Year’s Eve, but would be great with food and could even hold up to a heartier meal (steak, etc). — 20 days ago

Ethan HeyboerPeter HeyboerDiane Heyboer
with Ethan, Peter and 1 other
"Odedi", Andrew and 1 other liked this

Sinegal Estate

St. Helena Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Ron R
9.3

Our favorite Napa cab in the $70 price bracket. Nose displays cherries and coffee. Palate is so well balanced with sage, sandalwood and soft brown sugar. Finish extends and expands. Youthful and energetic.
Bivio Pizzeria, Montclair.
— a month ago

Stephen, Tom and 24 others liked this

Gaja

Pieve Santa Restituta Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2019

Received as gift. Excellent Brunello. — 2 days ago

Martin, Bob and 2 others liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 1979

Jeremy Shanker
9.8

Nearly perfect wine. Last Merry Edwards vintage. And a magnum. — a month ago

Pooneet, Bob and 4 others liked this