Wines Of The San Juan

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.
— 3 days ago

Jay, Tom and 10 others liked this

Domaine Eden

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Deep purple color. Aromas of cassis, blackberry, earthy tones and herbs. Blackberry on the palate, earth and a hint of vegetation. Very tasty cab.

🍇 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec

🏅94 Points - Robert Parker
🏅94 Points - Wine Enthusiast
🏅91 Pints - Wine Advocate
— 3 months ago

Paul, Austin and 17 others liked this
Doug Powers

Doug Powers

Nice pull!
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

Mount Eden Cabernet clone from the old Cinnabar property. Most people don't know this clone has Château Margaux origins. This cab and the Mount Eden Estate (and the old old Mount Eden Reserve Old Vine d.1992) with those Margaux subtleties on dry-farmed slopes? Uhh duh. Sign my ass(ets) up posthaste.

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2020

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2020 Estate pours a bright, yellow/green color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of bright tropical fruit: pineapple, passion fruit, star fruit, lemon curd, almonds, toasted marshmallow, warm spices and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+. Lovely stuff. Drink now through 2035+. Bottle No. 9032/12960 — 3 months ago

Andrew, Douglas and 16 others liked this
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego Premium Badge

@Jay Kline SCM definitely overlooked. Mount Eden makes a reserve chardonnay (on the mailing list/visit but worth seeking out) that is equally delicious but a bit weightier.
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

I work in Cupertino- a go to place for killer wine! Cheers!
Jay Kline

Jay Kline Influencer Badge Premium Badge

@Neil Valenzuela for real…jelly!

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? — 4 months ago

Mastrojanni (Poderi Loreto e San Pio)

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2019

Bright ruby color with garnet highlights. Aromas of ripe red and black fruit, Asian spices, wet soil, garrigue and wood ash. Flavors of cranberry, red cherries, red plums, tobacco, Earl Grey tea, dark chocolate, grilled herbs and baking spices. Long and lingering finish. Dusty tannins, firm structure and bright acidity. Lovely concentration and mouth coating texture. Bring on the grilled meat. Great choice, Keith S! — 7 months ago

Tom, Hermes and 2 others liked this

Ridge Vineyards

Estate Monte Bello Vineyard Chardonnay 2023

Ridge Vineyards – Chardonnay – 2023
Monte Bello Estate Vineyard – Santa Cruz Mountains – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
A mountain-born Chardonnay from one of California’s most historic estates. The long, cool 2023 growing season delivered a wine of vibrant energy and varietal purity, shaped by indigenous fermentation and extended lees aging. Ridge once again proves that Chardonnay from the Santa Cruz Mountains can rival the world’s finest in precision and longevity.

Aromas & Flavors
Lemon zest, green apple, and white peach lead with lifted notes of chamomile, fresh herbs, and wet stone. Subtle toasted hazelnut and light vanilla cream echo softly from the barrel work, never overpowering the fruit.

Mouthfeel
Bright, linear acidity frames a medium-bodied palate with tension and focus. Silky texture from nine months on the lees adds quiet depth, finishing mineral, citrusy, and long.

Food Pairings
Grilled branzino, butter-poached lobster, roast chicken with herbs, shaved fennel salad, or creamy burrata with olive oil and sea salt.

Verdict
Beautifully balanced, mountain-driven Chardonnay that captures Ridge’s signature restraint and purity. Enjoy now or follow for the next decade, this vintage will reward both patience and curiosity.

Did You Know?
Ridge ferments its Chardonnay with indigenous yeasts and relies on minimal SO₂, crafting the wine with a philosophy closer to Burgundy than to typical California richness. The Monte Bello Estate vineyard sits at high elevation on fractured limestone soils, one of the rarest soil types in California for Chardonnay.
— 8 months ago

Daniel and Andrew liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Bolgheri Sassicaia Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2017

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a two days. Better on Day 2. On the pop and pour, this bottle was backward and really seemed resistant to show much. I didn’t detect any real flaws or faults…just sort of, “meh”. On Day 2, it had opened considerably. The 2017 pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe blackberries, currants, mixed flowers, black tea, ferrous earth and a mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Drink now with patience and through 2042. — 18 days ago

Zach, Ira and 15 others liked this

Hirsch Vineyards

San Andreas Fault Pinot Noir 2023

I just kind of want to live down the road and grab one daily. Absolutely perfect Sonoma Pinot. Dark cherry and berries with a balanced full mouth. Can’t have enough imho. Doctor, doctor… pls! — 2 months ago

Sandlands

Contra Costa County Carignane 2024

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple of hours. The 2024 CCC pours a deep, ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity, with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with attractive, fresh notes of crunchy blackberries, black plum, lavender pastilles, Kiwi fruit, black pepper, crushed rock and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and mineral laden. So fresh and easy to love. Drink now through 2034. — 3 months ago

"Odedi", Tom and 7 others liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Love those old CCC vines!
Jay Kline

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@Tom Casagrande same brother, same.

Campogiovanni (San Felice)

Brunello di Montalcino Sangiovese 2019

Kyle B
9.2

Best wine of the tasting in Italy! — 3 months ago

Terry Diaz
with Terry

Cline Cellars

Ancient Vines Contra Costa County Mourvèdre 2022

Lot of dark fruit: blackberries, blueberries, and a tinge of spice. Dark, the wine smells like it tastes. Good value. — 4 months ago

Dave, Tom and 1 other liked this
Tom Casagrande

Tom Casagrande Influencer Badge

Seriously, has there ever been a disappointing red wine from Contra Costa? Every red vine there is over 100 years old on ungrafted roots in 20 feet of pure sand. What kind of jerk can fuck that up?

Rob Murray Vineyards

Force of Nature Red Blend

Christmas Eve pre-dinner wine (there will be more). Loved it for a lighter evening warm up wine. 🎅 🎄 — 6 months ago

Cavallotto

Vigna San Giuseppe Riserva Bricco Boschis Barolo Nebbiolo 2010

Quite deep garnet , just a hint of ruby and a wide garnet , terracotta rim. Touches of chestnut , dark fruits , earthy liquorice , dry spice and black tea . On the palate this is very classically styled , with dark liquorice tinged blackberry, raspberry , spiced black tea and menthol tinged good long length finish . Balanced acaidity and quite high , grippy tannins. With time this is beginning to show quite well , but will not doubt improve over the next 5 perhaps 10 years and last well a further 10 . Really quite classic and imposing in style , but detailed and complex. — 7 months ago

Tom, Jan and 9 others liked this

Tenuta San Guido

Guidalberto Toscana Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2018

Another excellent vintage of “Second Label Sassacaia.” Bordeaux-style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (60%) and Merlot (40%). Aromas of black fruit, baking spices and cedar wood. Flavors of black cherries and currants, woody herbs, black licorice and those sweet baking spices. Long finish highlighted by beautiful freshness. Well softened tannins, bright acidity and a silky texture. Simply elegant and at its peak. Part of a June 2026 KZ Tasting. — a month ago

Scott@Mister, Tom and 1 other liked this

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir 2021

2021 vintage. Vacillates/alternates between polished and rambunctious. Lots to like on both sides. Acoustic or electric guitar? You get both. A tremendous length of finish. Was going to pick up a case of the 2015 vintage of this (9.3) but this is drinking even better. Decision time...4.27.26. — 2 months ago

Somm, Tom and 11 others liked this
Somm David T

Somm David T Influencer Badge

I do enjoy their Pinots. Sometimes, more than their cabs & chard. Solid producer.
Neil Valenzuela

Neil Valenzuela

Good Pinot!

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. — 3 months ago

Bodegas Juan Gil

Jumilla Monastrell 2008

Heavy tobacco, smoke, and earthy tones on top of dark fruits. Opens up very dynamically because of its vintage. — 3 months ago

Mount Eden Vineyards

Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

Jeremy Shanker
9.3

One of one — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister, Joel and 12 others liked this

Agricola San Felice

Il Grigio da San Felice Riserva Chianti Classico Sangiovese 2021

Clear, medium ruby in color; on the nose, it's clean with pronounced primary and secondary aromas of cherries, roasted tomatoes, and black pepper; on the palate, it's dry with high acidity, high tannins, medium alcohol, medium body, and pronounced primary and secondary flavors of strawberries, black cherries, and clay pots with a long finish. This wine is complex and intense. Overall, I rate this wine as outstanding. — 5 months ago

Nellie Bauman
with Nellie
Joel, Rob and 10 others liked this

Bodegas Juan Gil

12 Meses Silver Label Jumilla Monastrell 1916

Mmmm - delicious! Quite full bodied with a deep ruby red color. Enjoyed with red meat and all by itself. Flavors of blackberry, plum and dark cherry. — 7 months ago