2013 Beta Cabernet Sauvignon Montecillo Vineyard
Community Tasting Note
KPB wrote:
Sunday, August 20, 2023 - 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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Comment posted by J_Smallwood:
8/21/2023 6:24:00 AM - You definitely hit the nail on the head. I think these will be very long lived wines - I opened a 2012 not all that long ago which I thought was in a fair bit of a better place for immediate consumption (no doubt at least another 10+ years ahead of it of pleasurable drinking) versus the 2013. If you have any of the 2012's and have some to spare, it's not a bad idea to open one to see what may lie ahead on the 2013. I'm not a huge points guy (yet I still participate in scoring everything on this site), but for me, I thought the 2012 was 94ish in my books with potential for upside.....so, for whatever that's worth.... :)
Comment posted by thesternowl:
8/21/2023 9:32:00 AM - Ken, I'm with you. These need so much time (or air) to really show off their depth. Thanks for checking in on one and sharing the experience with us!