Sierra Cruz

Ridge Vineyards

Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2001

Opened about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2001 Monte Bello pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of black currants, blackberries, plum, tobacco, purple flowers, an intoxicating mix of exotic Eastern spices, some cocoa, inorganic earth and minerals. On the palate? The wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and impeccably balanced. To my palate, this bottle has reached the age when Monte Bello starts to really become interesting. What a delight! Drink now with some air, through 2051. — 3 days ago

Juan, Jeroen and 10 others liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2030

Good wine, nice depth to the fruit with long finish — 3 months ago

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. — 5 months ago

Rhys Vineyards

Alpine Vineyard Chardonnay 2013

This one had signs of seepage on it so I opened it planning on throwing it out. What an amazing wine and so fresh! Maybe another bottle seeped on to this one? — 6 months ago

Rhys Vineyards

Swan Terrace Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2009

Nice, cool-climate California Pinot Noir. Good red and dark fruits on the palate. I served it a bit too cold, but as it warmed up, the earthiness that this wine is known for came through. I don’t love California Pinot, but Rhys almost always impresses me. — 7 months ago

Arnot-Roberts

Peter Martin Ray Vineyard Pinot Noir 2011

Some poopy bret blew off in 30 mins and revealed a sheer dress of leafy brown spice. Likely peaked at 15 years. — 7 months ago

Shay, Ira and 10 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

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Zach D
9.1

Pours a purple hue with some fading at the rim; aromas of black and red fruit; raspberry, blackberry, some dark cherry, and cassis; palate with good acidity, congruent with the nose; there is a bit of vanilla clove baking spice oak on the palate. Alcohol is moderate at 13.5; I like the wine, and I don’t drink a whole lot of American wines. The oak influence should be more delicate in my opinion, as the fruit is pretty elegant. It overwhelms a bit, and holds it back. I have doubts that this aspect will improve with bottle age, but I have another couple bottles and will leave in the cellar as an experiment. — 21 days ago

Dave, Joel and 5 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Zach D Cautiously optimistic that overt oak will completely fade into the background in 7-8 years and the wine will truly blossom.

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2018

Golden color. Green apple and vanilla (light oak) on the palate. Age worthy. April 2026. — 4 months ago

Rhys Vineyards

Horseshoe Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018

Ungrafted vines. Delicious — 5 months ago

Ryann Swan
with Ryann

Domaine Eden

Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2021

Medium ruby color. Aromas of curry, cardamom, cherry and strawberry. Strawberry flavors, toasted oak, raspberry and black tea. Very interesting Santa Cruz Mountain Pinot. Bottle #32187

🏅94 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
🏅93 Points - Wine Enthusiast
— 6 months ago

Doug, Pinotman and 11 others liked this

Rhys Vineyards

Alpine Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish/ brick rim.

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

Dry on the palate and soft.

Showing cherries, plums, currants, light oak, tobacco leaf, herbs, black pepper, chocolates, light vegetables, Indian spices, licorice and black tea.

Long finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious 13 year old Pinot Noir from Santa Cruz Mountains in California. Drinking beautifully now, elegant and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and soft. Complex with a nice mouthfeel.

This Single Vineyard Pinot Noir, from the great 2013 vintage, is drinking at its peak now, and will continue to drink nicely in the next few years.

A good sipping wine that will pair nicely with food too. Loved the low alcohol level too.

12.8% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$80.
— 7 months ago

Jose, Shay and 17 others liked this

Sandlands

Amador County Chenin Blanc 2023

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of two days. Best on Day 2. The 2023 Amador County pours a bright, deep straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart orchard fruit: peach, lemon, tangerine, white flowers, lanolin, and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and the texture is waxy. Obviously young but I can’t help but feel that these Chenin’s from Tegan just keep getting better and better. Drink now through 2039. — 7 months ago

Somm, David and 19 others liked this
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Somm David T That’s the lanolin call.
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

Just messing with you.

Domaine Eden

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2020

Red fruit, black fruit, iodine and red licorice. — 9 days ago

Rob, Juan and 1 other liked this

Bodegas Sierra Cantabria

Crianza Rioja Tempranillo 2021

Over delivers! Rich and food friendly. A great companion to grilled flank steak and artichoke. If you see this bottle, don’t be put off by the reasonable price point. I would drink this again. — 3 months ago

Arnot-Roberts

El Dorado Gamay Noir 2016

First vintage post-RPM, immensely enjoyable ten years on. As in Beaujolais, this CA interpretation is losing its original energy over time, but maintains its own signature profile. — 4 months ago

ESF, Jean-Philip and 4 others liked this

Terra d'Oro

Amador County Zinfandel

Had a ruby color. Smelled like red berries and tasted like cherry or blackberry. — 6 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

Rhys Vineyards

Horseshoe Vineyard Syrah 2013

Very old world, savory. Beautiful — 7 months ago

Steven and Serge liked this