Monte Bello Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Opened the evening prior at 7pm and double-decanted; the bottle was left at room temp with the cork pressed lightly back into the neck until service. The 2000 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and a slightly water rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and showing some real power with a compelling combination of ripe and desiccated fruit: dark brambles, cassis, leather, dill, olives, spiced meat, tobacco and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and whoa is it ever delicious. This has to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink now through 2040.

Nose of moss, dill and bark bramble fruit. A little hard on the palate it very nice nevertheless.

Dried black fruits, m+ tannins, m acidity. Flavors of an old wine but not really integrating. Not a fan!

Wow...2000 really drinking! Lots of complexity

Amazingly rich and silky seductive. Cedar, earth, black currant, bay leaf and dried cherry. At the peak of perfection but should easily hold another 5-10 years.

In a great place...bursting with spicy, rich stewed raspberry fruit with a sultry finish. All around great wine, despite being in a 375mL. Wish it was a 500mL, could use another few sips of it.

Great wine, it was balanced, long finish, excellent with food

A little too much Brett and iron for my palate. Far too mature. Only 1998 is worse in recent history of tasting.

Slightly bricking with a savory dried red fruit, earthy, cedar, and cigar box character. Delightful!

@ridgevineyards well this is drinking well!