Montecillo Vineyard Moon Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon

In honor of the Beta Wine, Spring allocation day (the 2021 Lupina and Maus), I decided to check into the 2021 “Montecillo” which was released last Fall. Based off previous experience, I poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service and then enjoyed over then next five hours; and this just continued to slowly reveal more layers as the minutes rolled by. The 2021 pours a deep, slightly hazy ruby color with an opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart, mostly black fruit: currants (for dayzzzzz!), blackberries, Montmorency cherry, tobacco, pencil shavings, a touch of Poblano pepper, a kiss of VA, and abundant, racy minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is extremely long and grippy. Dark to the core, this wine. And yet, there is a depth to the soul that makes it so accessible. Like listening to Portishead, Live at the Roseland NYC. Profound. If Lupina, Maus, Paratus and Hamilton draw any similarities, this will be a really fun vintage of Ketan’s wines to follow for decades to come. Drink now with patience and through 2051.

Opened several hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of the following few hours. The 2017 Montecillo 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 very pretty notes of tart, slightly underripe dark and red fruits: currants, blackberries, Montmorency cherry, raspberry, fresh leaf tobacco, bell pepper, purple flowers, graphite, earth, gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose with a good dose of minerals. The finish is long, tart and grippy. Okay so I’ve had enough of Ketan’s wines by now to expect a certain amount of greenness. Sometimes, particularly with Vare, it’s almost offensive. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case here. It’s certainly on the more elegant end of the spectrum but there’s a lot of character, particularly with the aromatics which are not only precise but rather beguiling. A classic that just needs more time to flesh out. For sure though, this is going to be a polarizing wine for many. Drink now with extended air but better after 2027 and probably has the legs to run well past 2047.

Opened a day prior and poured into a wide bottom decanter for several hours before returning to the bottle overnight. Double-decanted again prior to service and then enjoyed over the next three days. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of tart and ripe black currants, a mix of black and red bramble fruit, dried leaf tobacco, crushed rock and a vast array of minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry and still exhibiting fairly massive structure. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. There is a sneaky density to this wine that indicates this is very special and yet, compared to my experience back in 2019, this seems recalcitrant. Regardless, this is a classically structured Cabernet Sauvignon. I have one bottle remaining and won’t plan to touch it until closer to 2030.

Dried rose petals and red fruit, medium body, fun to sip. Had with Snake River Farms strip and right pairing.

This is my first go with the 2014 Montecillo. Based off my experience with the 2013 vintage, I opened this bottle seven hours ahead of time, well in advance of our dinner. I poured a small taste and the wine seemed to have quite a bit of vigor with noticeable, but not obnoxious, volatile acidity so I poured the rest through a Soirée and into a ship’s decanter to breath. Eight hours later, the VA was still present but integrated. One thing is for sure, this wine is unique. Unusual notes of Middle Eastern spiced meat, herbs de Provence, orange zest, and eucalyptus. Not exactly what I would normally expect from Cabernet Sauvignon and yet, this is utterly satisfying. This is a high acid wine and the tannins are mostly imperceptible which makes this bottle quite a bit different from the 2013 version which is a bit of a beast. The 2014 Montecillo is about as fresh as they come out of California these days and the finish is long. The acid leads me to believe it will cellar a long time but it’s hard to say how beneficial that would be. One thing is for certain, these wines from Ketan Mody are wholly unique and probably won’t be for everyone…but I love them. I’m hoping the Jasud Estate can bounce back from the fires of 2020.

Merry Christmas Delectable community! After the rather disappointing Côte Rôtie, I hoped this would come through with the goods and holy smokes, did it ever deliver. From the pull of the cork, this was absolutely singing. Gratuitous amounts of cassis with tobacco, espresso, and blood orange zest!? The palate is laden with black currants and minerals...ALL the minerals. They dazzle the tongue. Beautiful acid and firm but measured tannin. The finish lasts for several minutes. A wonder wine. My first experience drinking one of Ketan’s Beta’s and if this is any indication of what is to come at the Jasud Estate, we are spoiled. Leaving it late, this bottle is in contention for my wine of the year.

A modern classic. This wine opens up and transforms into something new with every glass. Very pleasing. A true vin de garde.

Brilliant!!!!!!

Classic approach here with honest tannins and wild berry fruit flavours. Long and intriguing, and built to last. Love the barely mid-bodied profile; very elegant. Definitely a very cool newcomer! If you missed the initial launch; sign up now as great this will emerge from here from now on.

Lot of dark red fruit day one. Better second and third day with candy red fruit, minerality and iron. Like these a lot.