Vinous (97-100)

The 2019 Monte Bello, tasted from barrel, is insanely beautiful. Vibrant, deep and pulsing with energy, the 2019 simply has it all. How will it turn out in bottle? I can’t say just yet. But this barrel sample shipped across the country is positively dazzling, so the wine’s potential is clear. The 2019 offers superb fruit density, with mid-weight structure, bright acids and plenty of tannin. It could very well turn out to be epic.

Vinous (97-100)

The 2019 Monte Bello, tasted from barrel, is insanely beautiful. Vibrant, deep and pulsing with energy, the 2019 simply has it all. How will it turn out in bottle? I can’t say just yet. But this barrel sample shipped across the country is positively dazzling, so the wine’s potential is clear. The 2019 offers superb fruit density, with mid-weight structure, bright acids and plenty of tannin. It could very well turn out to be epic.

Jeb Dunnuck (98)

Aged in 100% new oak, the 2022 Monte Bello blends 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot and 2% Cabernet Franc, selected from 18 of 21 lots by blind tasting. After assemblage, the wine spent 21 more months in barrel. The vineyard starts at 1,600 feet and goes up to 2,700 feet at top, and is spread out across 4 different ranches, Klein, Rousten, Torre and Perrone, the wines getting more tightknit and ageable as the vines move up the mountain. By the end of harvest, Monte Bello is split into 55 different blocks, which are then picked and fermented separately. Year after year, this is a “wow” wine, herbal, lightly spiced in oak, with a lovely creamy, velvety texture and a backbone of well-resolved tannin supporting a medium-bodied, balanced spirit of mountain garrigue. These wines typically age 20-25 years or more.

Vinous (99)

Quite simply, the 2023 Monte Bello is brilliant. It’s an unbelievably expressive wine in every way. Stunningly pure and delineated, the 2023 is an infinitely layered, complex, concentrated Monte Bello that attains superb balance and powerful concentration without a shred of excess weight. Dark blue-toned fruit, bay leaf, blood orange, crushed rocks and chalk press on with confidence through an epically long finish. The extended growing season meant that much of the Merlot in the vineyard never fully ripened, hence the higher percentage of Cabernet Sauvignon (89%) in the blend. Cool conditions and long hangtime not only imbued the 2023 with immeasurable depth, it also cemented the hallmark cedary freshness that lifts Monte Bello like few other wines in the world. This is a Monte Bello for the ages.

Immerse yourself in the complex yet elegant fusion of exquisite flavours presented by the Ridge Sonoma County Three Valleys 2020. This opulent, hand-harvested blend hails from California's famed Sonoma County, an epicentre of world-class viticulture. Known for their persistent commitment to creating distinct, terroir-driven wines, Ridge Vineyards has delivered a Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Carignan, and Grenache amalgamation that amazes with its robust depth and nuance.

The 2020 vintage flourishes in your glass with a vibrant ruby red hue, teasing the palate with its enticing layers of ripe berries, warm spices, and a hint of toasted oak. Raised using organic and traditional practices, the Three Valleys blend is a testament to Ridge's fifty-year-long journey towards mastering the Bordeaux-style winemaking technique, truly showcasing their exceptional craftsmanship. The exemplary feature of the Ridge Sonoma County Three Valleys 2020 is the harmonious balance it achieves; a timeless testament to the ripe, fertile vineyards of Northern California.

Experience the vibrant symphony of flavours with the Ridge Sonoma County Three Valleys 2022, a venerated embodiment of Sonoma County's viticultural excellence. Crafted meticulously by the esteemed Ridge Vineyards, renowned for their classic Californian expressions since 1962, this enthralling blend captures the interplay of Zinfandel, Carignane, and Petite Sirah grapes.

Sourced primarily from premier vineyards nestled across Sonoma County's three lustrous valleys – Alexander, Dry Creek, and Russian River, the grapes gain their unique characteristic complexity due to the region's diverse climatic and topographic conditions. Employing sustainably-farmed, hand-harvested grapes ensures prime quality.

Cherishing the traditional methods, the Ridge Sonoma County Three Valleys 2022 is aged in American oak barrels, bestowing an exotic vanilla undertone on its robust, fruity palate and enhancing the wine's ageing potential. This perfect blend demonstrates Ridge's deft craftsmanship and harmonious fusion of fruit, tannin and acidity. Savour it for a captivating, world-class wine experience.

Jeb Dunnuck (97-100)

From a great site in the foothills of Howell Mountain, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Herb Lamb Vineyard is going to flirt with perfection on release. Possessing full-bodied richness and depth as well as massive concentration, it’s nevertheless as graceful as they come, with stunning purity and finesse in both its tannins and texture. Offering exotic black fruits, green tobacco, olive, and subtle background oak, I suspect 4-5 years of bottle age will be warranted, but this is a special wine in the making.

Jeb Dunnuck (98)

Dense purple, with a blockbuster styled nose of jammy blueberries, currants, smoke tobacco, violets, and candied orange zest, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Panek Vineyard is full-bodied and has a wealth of material, with ripe, silky tannins and the vintage’s more focused, inward, almost backward style. Nevertheless, this is brilliant stuff that needs to be forgotten for 4-5 years and will evolve for 30+ years.

Vinous (94)

The 2018 Pinot Noir Summa Vineyard is another gorgeous wine. In almost any other range, it could be the highlight, but the Rivers-Marie 2018s are brilliant across the board. In the glass, the 2018 offers a striking balance of floral intensity, fruit and structure. All of that makes the Summa the most complete and satisfying wine to drink in the early going. Rose petal, mint, exotic spice and earthy tones add complexity throughout.

James Suckling (96)

Focused nose, showing fresh red chili chocolate with cigar, truffle, mint, olive and grilled meat. This is a medium-to full-bodied red with incredibly juicy and bright fruit and fine, caressing tannins that linger in the long, creamy but precise finish. Elegant and extremely drinkable with complexity. on top of 38% malbec, 25% syrah, 15% cabernet sauvignon, 14% grenache and 8% petit verdot. The real deal. Second wine of Seña. Drink or hold.

James Suckling (95)

A linear and refined red with sweet berry, cherry, wildflower, lavender, rosemary flower and citrus undertones that follow through to a medium body with firm, fine tannins. Cream, pretty and spicy. Similar flavors on the finish. Second wine of Seña, made from two estates. A blend of 33% malbec, 25% syrah, 21% cabernet sauvginon, 9% petit verdot, 7% mourvedre and 5% grenache. Drink after 2027.

Vinous - Stephen Tanzer (91)

Bright red. Vibrant redcurrant and raspberry scents, with a seductive overlay of candied rose and peppery spices. Focused and taut but sweet, with sappy red berry flavors and a lively mineral quality that adds lift and cut. Closes silky, seamless and long, with a strong echo of red fruit and no obvious tannins.

James Suckling (94)

Extremely fresh and floral with sliced apples, stones and some white peach. Bread dough, too. Fine bead. Medium to full body with crisp acidity and a steely finish. Hints of phenolics provide a fine texture. Vibrant acidity. About 15% reserve wine (mostly chardonnay) in this, from five vintages. 2.5 years on the lees. 60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir. Drink or hold.

Vinous (95)

Dark ruby. A complex bouquet evokes red and blue fruit preserves, incense and lavender, and smoky mineral and oak spice accents build as the wine opens up. Juicy and well-concentrated yet lively on the palate, offering intense raspberry, cherry liqueur, boysenberry and baking spice flavors and a hint of licorice on the back half. Delivers solid punch and betrays no rough edges on an extremely long, vibrant finish that repeats the floral and spice notes.