March 24, 2024 - This is fine, decent C/S. It could possibly improve with some more cellar time.
March 23, 2024 - Very well balanced classic-ish California cab.
February 17, 2024 - 90 mins in the decanter yielded a pleasing, though young, wine. This has the stuffing to get through the end of the decade in great shape. We followed this fine for 4 hours and it was consistently better than the last sip. Fresh blackberry, cassis, oak, pencil savings, and firm long tannin. Next bottle in 2030.
February 14, 2024 - Decanted off sediment and carafed for about half an hour afterward. Dark clear ruby. Smelled black cherry, a tiny bit of CS cassis, leather, vanilla, tobacco, pencil shavings; the taste was intense on the fruit but with the other elements showing in the background. Semi-resolved tannin and good acidity balance the fruit, not rounded but not young medium bodied mouthfeel; on the whole it feels pretty seamless. Medium-plus finish on the fruit that eventually gets down to pencil shavings.
October 28, 2023 - Excellent for the price, it’s like a rich Bordeaux. If I was drinking this blind I could guess a more opulent style Bordeaux , it is not overdone by any means. Hitting the spot especially in the $50 range
Edit: Day 2 this is an alcoholic hot mess on the nose, get a rubbing alcohol, the palate tastes fine but I cannot get past the nose. quite a difference from day 1.
August 18, 2023 - High quality cab blend. Dark fruit and wood in balance with medium acidity and tannins.
July 28, 2023 - Part of a Ridge winery dinner with my wine group. Probably my favorite of the night. My favorite of the night.
June 19, 2023 - Beautiful medium bodied cab. Black cherry, cigar box, wet stone flavors, with earthy tannins and medium + acidity. Drinkable now but believe it will be a lite smoother in a few years.
May 30, 2023 - Consistent with previous note (April 2022). Rich, not too much oak, and just enough tannins to suggest it has a long shelf life. I will revisit with another 2018 later this year or next. I’ve now acquired some Monte Bellos and can’t wait for the day I can open one. Expectations are high following the quality of the Estate Cab.
March 6, 2023 - 3 hour S/O drank over 2 days. Better on day 2. Dark purple, black currants, dark cherry, blackberry, and plum. Fruit forward and smooth mid-palate with medium concentration. Background spice, cocoa, light tannins. A nice wine to enjoy when looking for a wine late afternoon.