March 30, 2024 - Complex primary fruit and secondary components, well integrated silky tannins, exceptional
February 10, 2024 - Great colour and great density, still a baby, if opened now decant for at least 3 hours as tannins are powerful and need air. Full, rich Cabernet.
February 5, 2024 - Wine is tasting fantastic
February 3, 2024 - Fantastic wine from a great producer.
December 30, 2023 - My first experience with this bottling - was very surprised at how the American oak stood out so much. I had served it blind and initially got a guess of Rioja, which was telling. Still lots of tannic structure here which bodes well for some more time in the cellar. Very tasty wine now though, richly fruited but with plenty of freshness to carry it along.
December 27, 2023 - Wow. For whatever reason, this bottle was much better than the earlier opened ones. Fresh, fruity, yet with complexity and well integrated. Maybe the drinking window starts only now?
November 20, 2023 - Quite dark fruited. Really needed a couple hours air to show well as it had a distinct cedar and dill note initially. Coarse tannins but behind the nicely concentrated black fruits. Hints at the depth of Monte Bello but not on that level.
June 29, 2023 - A Ridge Tahoe Weekend; 6/29/2023-7/2/2023 (Edgewood Resort): Drinking quite nicely. We buy the estate wine every year mostly because you have to if you want to buy the Monte Bello which we love. This was drinking pretty well though. Kind of a classic form of wine. On the young side but it is drinkable now. Still more of the fruits with spices. Enjoyable.
June 14, 2023 - PnP. Color is deep opaque ruby with some purple hues. On the nose: Plum , cinnamon, cassis and a bit of sour funk. On the palate: Plum, cassis , a hint of cinnamon , dark chocolate and graphite. Sensuous , elegant and smooth. Needs time to open up but clearly a very good wine. Tough day at work and needed this.
December 21, 2022 - Opened and decanted 1.5 hours ahead of roasted pork loin and potatoes with mixed salad. Dark purple-crimson color. The nose brings brett/funky notes that takes 3+ hours to resolve, but when it does spring violets, red roses, blackcurrant, and cinnamon baking spices emerge. The palate is medium-full, square, compact, and volatile, bringing a core of dark plums, blackberries, tart huckleberries, sour cherries, dark chocolate, coffee bean, and scattered eucalyptus notes into a lingering, juicy finish. This is still primary and will be best 2024-2032. Technical score: 93. Enjoyment score: 91.