2013 Beta Cabernet Sauvignon Montecillo Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (19) Avg Score: 94.1 points

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  4/9/2024 - Rbhan12 Likes this wine: 95 Points

  From magnum. This is a wow wine. Deep complex fruit with classy earthen notes underneath. Mountain shrub. At least from magnum this will go another 20y without issue.

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  12/11/2023 - RAB007 wrote: 87 Points

  too acidic and not enough fruit. Maybe difficult do in 2013?!

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  8/20/2023 - KPB wrote: 91 Points

  Drank half on day 1, recorked and left it on the counter, tried another glass day 2, finished it on day 3. The Beta Monticello seemed like three different wines.
  
  On day 1 the wine was very closed, rather tannic, not hugely appealing. But it really transformed as time passed, and by day 3 was in a totally different place — I ended up regretting that I didn’t start with just one glass on day 1, to leave more for day 3!
  
  The Monticello is a medium bodied Bordeaux-styled wine, and although it is shown as 100% Cabernet Sauvignon, left me wondering if Ketan might have a bit of Cabernet franc in the blend. On the nose you find sour cherries and mushrooms, some spicy notes, wax. A slightly tart structure frames the palate, which features mature fruit that hasn’t really become at all sweet or heavy. Firm but polished tannins. Long mineral finish.
  
  This is a wine that can reward another decade of aging, but if you give it enough time to breathe is interesting now. Not one to pop and pour, and frankly not a wine to serve to guests who love the sweet, hot style of California Cabernet. But if you want a wine that expresses the site more directly and that was harvested when ripe but not overripe, Beta Monticello is a good option.
  
  I’m scoring this bottle 91 based on current showing. I actually still think it has the potential for a much higher score if given enough time to age,and will hide my last bottle in a corner to try ten years from now. By then, it may merit 95.

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  4/8/2023 - jonh1 Likes this wine: 95 Points

  Delicious. Rainier cherry, fig, menthol, plus acid, refined tannins. Long finish of tart cherry. This is lean but intense, elegant, complex, and flavorful. Reminds me a bit of a Martha’s Vineyard cab with 10 years of age. Ready to go but also curious where this would be in 5-10 years.

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  3/30/2022 - Asull2k wrote: 90 Points

  Medium density ruby and garnet color. Plum and blueberry and flint on the nose. After double decanting and back in fridge for 10 hrs, then decanting and sitting for 3 hrs prior to serving, the initial licorice and bitterness was gone (did not like this at all prior to air). Fairly strong acidity with tart cherry, slight blackberry, and pine on the palate, medium body and finish. Resembled more of a Bordeaux wine with no hint of modern day Napa, although a tad more acidic and less smooth than French wines (no merlot). Very hard to rate this unique wine but would be interesting to try again with a lot more aging

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View all 19 Community Tasting Notes

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