Clos LaChance Winery, August 3, 2014

Winery - 8 / Wines - 6
Range:  1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)
Rolling hills and golf course vistas.  Variety of reds and whites.  Good place for events.
clos.com

Clos LaChance was another of the local wineries that my sister introduced me to.  Nestled into the western San Martin foothills, this winery is well suited for hosting events.  The winery is surrounded by vineyards, rolling hills, and a golf course.  When the weather is agreeable, it makes a terrific location for outdoor activities.  In fact, this place is nearly impossible to get to on Mothers’ Day because of the crowd it attracts.  The patio offers a number of tables where you can enjoy a light snack along with your wine tasting.  And, the grounds are ample enough to accommodate a smaller outdoor wedding.  Clos LaChance also hosts a number of their own events on-site, so be sure to check their web site often to see what’s coming up next.

The Clos LaChance Winery courtyard entrance

The folks who designed the Clos LaChance winery had a sense of Tuscan elegance in mind when they created this winery.  The exterior features a vine-covered stucco exterior, much slate stone-work, tiles for the approach to the winery, and lush gardens.  Even the tile roof echoes the same theme.  Inside, painted walls are done in a light cream color, while rich woodwork abounds inside the main tasting room.  A tiled floor continues the Tuscan theme.  The mahogany counter with anodized steel countertop lends an interesting visual contrast.  Racks of wine bottles are housed above the bar.  The tasting room opens onto a larger room where they often hold indoor events (such as wine clearance sales).  Just outside the tasting room is the large patio area, surrounded by lawns, and looking out over the golf course below and the rolling hills just beyond the driveway.  The patio is the ideal setting for enjoying your wine tasting in the warmth of the valley’s afternoon sun.

Inside the Clos LaChance tasting room

There were two wine tasting options, and I opted for the reserve tasting.  I started with the 2012 Harmon Chardonnay, followed by the 2010 Murphy’s Pinot Noir.  Next I enjoyed 2011 Cabernet Franc, which surprised me.  The flight ended with the 2010 Reserve Syrah and the 2011 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, which was my favorite of the flight.  Finally, I was convinced to try the 2011 Whitestone Cabernet Sauvignon, which was a remarkable wine and was my favorite overall. 

Based on this experience, I would rate the winery a n8 and the wines a 6.  This is consistent with my prior visits.

Ridge Winery, May 25, 2014

www.ridgewine.com

It was time once again to preview Ridge’s flagship wine, the 2013 Monte Bello, at the Final Assemblage tasting event.  I enjoy attending this event as it helps me to learn how young wines evolve.  During the component tasting in March, you get to learn how each of the four grape varietals that make up the Monte Bello tastes and how they might taste when added together.  (Though here the total wine is much greater than simply the sum of its parts.)  This time, the grapes have had another two months in barrel, and there has been careful consideration of each lot’s contribution to the final blend.  The result is a 2013 Monte Bello that already tastes like a great wine, with much potential to develop further.

As is customary during these Monte Bello events, you are handed a glass with a taste of the 2012 Estate Chardonnay as you sign in for the event.  As the weather was tending towards warm, this was a welcome opener.  Inside, the 2013 Monte Bello is accompanied by four other wines, as well as some cheeses, bread, and tasty salami.  I started with the 2011 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (which is performing better than I had expected), the 2011 Torre Petit Verdot (which is a rare release), the 2013 Monte Bello final assemblage, and the 2010 Monte Bello.  While the Petit Verdot was interesting, my favorite wine was the 2010 Monte Bello, followed very closely by the 2013 final assemblage.  It is remarkable how much progress has been achieved in the two months since the component tasting event last March.

The new garden wall welcoming visitors to Ridge's Monte Bello estate.

A full review was written already about Ridge Winery during my visit on March 3^rd, 2012.

Ridge Winery, March 16, 2014

www.ridgewine.com

Every year, Ridge Winery puts on a barrel-tasting event for their Monte Bello flagship wine.  Only those wine club members who buy Monte Bello on futures are invited to attend.  Since the event is held in mid-March, the weather can be a little unpredictable, ranging from cold and blustery, to a damp drizzle, to the nearly perfect weather conditions brought on by a severe drought.  The sun was shining and the temperatures were idling in the low 70’s – perfect for enjoying both red and white wines.  It had been quite some time since my previous visit and much of the renovation work that had been started was now finished, lending a touch of elegance to this otherwise rustic, mountain-top winery.  The weather drew such a crowd this year that drivers were directed to a “remote” parking lot the better part of a mile up the mountain from the winery.  A shuttle took visitors down a vineyard trail on the backside of the winery, revealing terraced mountain slopes full of vines, with the cover crop just beginning to green up.  This unique view made up for the inconvenience of dealing with the shuttle.

The completed renovation work at Ridge includes a new garden path.

Upon registering at the event, you are handed a pour of the 2012 Estate Chardonnay.  (Note to half-bottle fans: this is the first year the Estate Chardonnay is available in half-bottles.)  From there, you move on to each of the barrel tasting stations where you will first try the four components (Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Cabernet Sauvignon) that make up the Monte Bello wine individually, and then the 2013 First Assemblage (a prototype of how the wine will be blended), giving you the first glance at the 2013 vintage and seeing first-hand how each of the components contribute to the final product.  Finally, you get to sample the newly released 2011 Monte Bello (and pick up your order to bring home), which seems rather locked-down and restrained compared to the 2013.  This 2013 is performing nicely, and I am eager to taste it again at the Final Assemblage event in May.

Poppies decorate the sunny hillside at Ridge (taken in April)

A full review was written already about Ridge Winery during my visit on March 3^rd, 2012.

J. Lohr Vineyards and Wine, March 9, 2014

www.jlohr.com

One thing that I appreciate about J. Lohr winery is that they recycle used (natural) corks from wine bottles.  I always feel a little conspicuous because I save up corks for months before bringing them in to recycle.  Enjoying a tasting of their wines helps me forget about the feeling, and it gives me an opportunity to see how their latest vintage is developing.  As it turns out, the J. Lohr Seven Oaks Cabernet is usually one of the first Cabernets released each vintage and it allows me to get an idea about how the vintage might turn out.  Today they were pouring the 2012, which I had been waiting to taste.

As I was running other errands, I decided to try only three wines, partly to save time, and partly to reduce the affects of the alcohol.  So, I started with the recently released 2012 Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon, which seems a little locked down (wait about two months and enjoy your 2011 in the mean time).  Next I tried the 2010 Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon followed by the 2010 Cuvee Pau.  Of the three wines, the Carol’s Vineyard was my favorite for its development and depth.

A full review was written already about J. Lohr Vineyards during my visit on March 25^th, 2012.

Savannah-Chanelle Vineyards, November 3, 2013

Winery - 4 / Wines - 7
Range:  1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)
Authentically rustic old-world tasting room.  Pinot Noir, Syrah, and Chardonnay.
www.savannahchanelle.com

I have been enjoying visiting the tasting room at Savannah-Chanelle since before I started tasting wine.  I would accompany my sister there for wine tasting, but I would merely sample the amazing mustards that they had on display.  Soon after that I started enjoying wine and I returned to sample their offerings.  Since then, I have returned every year to try the latest vintage.  As their winery is on the road returning from the Christmas tree farms in the Santa Cruz Mountains, it makes for a fun place to stop after cutting down a fresh Christmas tree.  Often times I am fortunate enough to stumble upon a terrific clearance deal they have going on in the tasting room, but not this time.  (My supply of party wines is beginning to dwindle, so I had hopes.)  In any event, I was looking forward to the opportunity to taste their latest releases.

The authentic old tasting room at Savannah-Chanelle

The drive to the Savannah-Chanelle mountain winery is an easy drive up Highway 9 from the town of Saratoga.  The turn into the winery’s driveway is tight, so go slowly and be prepared.  The driveway climbs the hillside through majestic redwoods leading up to the old winery operations building.  The barn-like structure seems to be maintained in a state of arrested decay – the building is clearly well-kept, but there is no trace of “new” here.  Just outside the main door to the tasting room a few tables are arranged for enjoying your wine flight in the open air of the mountain-side tasting room.  Inside, the large barn has been set up with two tasting counters along opposing walls, with tables set up in the middle of the room displaying merchandise for sale.  (Check out the funny cocktail napkins.)  Two skylights let in sunlight during the summer months, but no direct light enters the rest of the year because of the hillside and trees.  Just as you enter the tasting room is a grand piano, where the same woman has been playing every weekend afternoon for the past decade.  The tasting room can get very busy on weekend afternoons, so plan around this.

The busy tasting room at Savannah-Chanelle

The tasting menu has six wines on it, but I only wanted to sample four of them.  I started with the 2012 Santa Lucia Highlands Chardonnay, followed by the 2009 Russian River Pinot Noir.  I next tried the 2009 Insiders’ Club Pinot Noir (which is a selection of special lots), and ended with the 2009 Tondres Grapefield Pinot Noir.  Of these, my favorite was the Insiders’ Club Pinot Noir for its ripe fruits and excellent balance.

Based on this experience, I would rate the winery as a 4 and the wines offered as a 7.  This is consistent with my previous visits.

J. Lohr Vineyards and Wine, July 27, 2013

On my last trip to recycle corks at the J. Lohr tasting room near downtown San Jose, I learned that the new 2011 Seven Oaks Cabernet had been released.  While I didn’t have time to taste it that day, it piqued my curiosity until today I finally relented and stopped in.  (I believe two weeks had elapsed.)  I had just finished a tasty lunch at a nearby taqueria and decided to drop in to check out the new lineup.  The weather was perfect and I did not mind the short extra walk to the winery.  The big surprise today was how well the 2011 Seven Oaks Cabernet is performing.  The wine is very nicely balanced, smooth, and ripe.  This is one of the first 2011 California reds that I have tried that actually tastes like it was ripe when harvested.

I started my tasting lineup with the 2011 Seven Oaks Cabernet Sauvignon to experience it with a clean palette.  Next I tried the 2010 Highlands Bench Pinot Noir, then the 2010 Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon.  I was going to move onto the Tower Road Petite Sirah, but the black-label cuvee wines caught my eye.  So, I opted to try the 2008 Cuvee Pom (a Merlot-based blend) and the 2005 Cuvee St. E (a Cab-Franc-based blend).  I have a couple of the 2005’s still in my cellar and was glad to get a progress report.  Of all the wines poured, my favorite was the 2010 Carol’s Vineyard Cabernet for its richness and depth.

A full review was written already about J. Lohr Vineyards during my visit on March 25^th, 2012.

Ridge Winery, May 18, 2013

www.ridgewine.com

It was time again for the Monte Bello Final Assemblage event up atop Monte Bello Road.  Once again, the event was held inside the beautiful old winery barn that now serves as the rustic setting for winery events.  Outside there were a few wine barrels set up as bar tables with umbrellas for enjoying the spectacular weather.  To top things off, the breezy weather from the days prior left a crystal-clear view of Silicon Valley and the south end of the San Francisco bay.  The big surprise was from the elegant stone work being installed to link the tasting room with the event barn.  While not quite complete, I can tell from what is in place that the finished product will be perfectly designed to bring elegance to this rustic setting and its lush gardens.  I’ll post a photo once the job is done.

On a clear day from Ridge Winery, overlooking downtown San Jose

The first wine on the tasting menu was the 2011 Jimsomare Chardonnay, which is showing what a lovely vintage 2011 is turning out to be for white wines, and especially Chardonnays.  Next we enjoyed the 2004 Geyserville, which I had opened just a few nights earlier.  This was followed by the 2012 Monte Bello final assemblage from the barrel, and the 2008 Monte Bello from a magnum bottle.  The 2012 shows incredible improvement from the March tasting event where the wine was still a little premature, but my favorite of the day was the 2004 Geyserville.

Cinnabar Winery, November 11, 2012

Winery - 6 / Wines - 5
Range:  1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)
Convenient Saratoga location, broad selection of red and white wines, plus a few dessert wines.
www.cinnabarwine.com

My sister is a wine club member at Cinnabar Winery.  Their tasting room is conveniently located in downtown Saratoga, not far from Cupertino and San Jose.  Today she was headed to the tasting room for a wine club pick-up and invited me to tag along.  Choosing between working around the house and wine tasting for the afternoon seemed an easy enough decision: wine tasting it is.  Cinnabar is one of the convenient, quality wine makers located in the south San Francisco Bay Area that I enjoy visiting.  The staff there is both welcoming and accommodating.

Cinnabar Winery in Saratoga

The tasting room sits on the westerly end of the road that runs diagonally through downtown Saratoga.  The exterior is fashioned similar to the surrounding shops, so you need to watch carefully for the winery as you drive through town (on the left from the main road).  The exterior is faced with brickwork, with a few bay windows to add some dimension to the building.  Once inside, you’ll find the tasting bar to the left and a small shop with interesting gift items to the right.  The tasting area is surrounded by large windows flanked by wooden storage bins for the wine.  The tasting bar has guests looking towards the windows as they taste, which lends an airy feel to the place.  Although the tasting experience ends at 5:00pm each afternoon, the tasting room is open until 8:00pm most Fridays and Saturdays offering guests an opportunity to enjoy wine by the glass (and some live music).

The tasting menu varies as new wines are released and features too many wines to taste during one visit.  Typically you will select four or five wines to sample during your visit.  During my visit, I tasted the 2010 Mercury Rising Blanc, the 2010 Merlot, the 2010 Zinfandel, and the 2009 Alexander Valley Cabernet Sauvignon.  By far, the Cabernet was my favorite, though I was curious to try the 2009 Mercury Rising (red).  The fun part about visiting this winery with someone else is the possibility to explore more wines by ordering distinct flights and sharing the interesting ones.

Based on this experience, I would rate the winery as a 6 and the wines offered as a 5.  This is consistent with my previous visits.

Ridge Winery, June 30th, 2012

Winery - 7 / Wines - 8
Range:  1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)
Mountain-top winery with panoramic views of Silicon Valley.  Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
www.ridgewine.com

I returned to Ridge Winery for a special event held for its wine club members.  The event featured tasty barbeque pairings with Ridge’s different Zinfandels.  Because they had limited the number of attendees (and sold out early), the crowd was a nice size.  There was room to move about, a place to be alone, and folks to talk with should you want to do so.  The weather was nearly perfect, and a brisk wind had swept the skies of any haze, so the views were especially crisp and clear.

The view from Ridge on a clear day

 The event started out with a taste of one of Ridge’s Chardonnay wines, built in a Burgundian style with prominent minerals.  From the registration table where you get your glass and your first pour, you walk up to the special events barn where there were four tables, each pairing a special barbeque item with a particular single-vineyard Zinfandel.  The first table paired barbecued chicken and mustard potato salad with the 2010 Paso Robles Zinfandel.  The second table had been depleted of food early, so I only tasted the wine, which was the 2010 Carmichael Zinfandel.  Next came table three with its pulled-pork and 2010 East Bench Zinfandel.  The fourth table featured barbecued brisket paired with the 2009 York Creek Zinfandel.  My favorite food was the pulled-pork, and my favorite wine … was a tie.  I liked the immediate appeal of the East Bench Zinfandel, but the York Creek shows more promise to those willing to let it rest for four or more years.

During the event, they offered a 20% discount to any club member purchasing a case or more of wine.  I seized the opportunity to stock up on some half-bottles for my collection.  These sales are so much harder to resist after you’ve enjoyed some tasty barbeque and Ridge wine.  I wonder if that was part of their plan.

(There are two other reviews here that describe my prior experiences at Ridge, along with rating information found in February 2012 and April 2012.)

Ridge Winery, April 29th, 2012

I returned to Ridge today to enjoy the excellent weather and sample their wines free of the crowds at the special events.  While my previous visit was exciting with the barrel tasting and an upbeat stir in the air, this visit was wonderfully relaxed.  (Check my prior review for scores, etc.)  I tasted through three Zinfandels, a tasty Carignane, and the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, which has improved noticeably since I tasted it in early March.  My favorite wine was the 2008 Carmichael Zinfandel, which delivers classic Zinfandel flavors, elegant body, and terrific balance.



The original Ridge WInery Operations on Monte Bello

After tasting I was able to enjoy the gardens which were popping with new spring blooms.  At the tables were picnickers enjoying a light feast along with a bottle of something from the winery.  The air was unusually clear thanks to recent rains and winds.  On a day like this you can see the outline of the financial district in downtown San Francisco.  (Okay, so I’m a little far-sighted.)

The gardens at Ridge's Monte Bello tasting room

Testarossa Winery, April 28th, 2012

Winery - 7 / Wines - 7
Range:  1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)
Historic monastery setting.  Elegant Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs.
www.testarossa.com

I have to thank my sister for introducing me to Testarossa winery.  She has been a wine club member there off and on during the past decade.  She brought me there one very nice spring day (such as today) to taste their wines.  I was impressed.  The quality of their wines is noteworthy.  They are tasty, well made, and age-worthy.  In fact, they like to show off the age-worthiness of their wines by pouring an older vintage of their wines from time to time.  One more thing that I appreciate about Testarossa is that they bottle a Chardonnay and a Pinot Noir in half bottles, which automatically attracts my attention.

Historic Testarossa Winery Entrance

Situated in the Los Gatos foothills just above downtown Los Gatos lays a historic monastery building.  Inside operates a fantastic Pinot Noir producer, using much of the same infrastructure and some of the same wine making principals as the original monks.  Just off Main Street, head up the hill on College Avenue to the winery.  The road is narrow and requires caution, though it is not at all difficult to drive.  As you walk up to the winery entrance, you get a real feel for its history.  The tasting room lies at the end of a long, stone-faced tunnel.  A number of historical images line the hallway leading in.  The tasting room is ample, which is good because this winery attracts a crowd.  The tasting bars are reconfigurable.  Sometimes the counters are corralled in the middle of the room.  Today, they flanked two of the walls.  The room has a warm glow to it emanating from the large vintage lighting fixtures above.  There is an array of branded merchandise, ranging from caps and shirts to chocolate sauce and olive oils.  In the summer months, there is also an outdoor patio where you can enjoy a glass of any of the wines they are tasting that day in the filtered sunshine.

Inside the tasting room at Testarossa Winery

The wines on the tasting menu this time started off with a Rose of Pinot Noir, two Chardonnays, and three Pinot Noirs.  I was fortunate during this visit because they were pouring a 2005 Pinot Noir from the famed Bien Nacido Vineyard (near Santa Barbara).  This is one of the few wineries where I actually enjoy the Chardonnays.  The first was a blend of different vineyards from Santa Lucia Highlands, while the second was a single-vineyard wine from the Sierra Madre vineyard near Bien Nacido, both 2010’s.  I preferred the blend for its richer body.  Next we tried the Pinot Noirs from the same two regions, both 2010’s.  Finally, we tried the 2005 Bien Nacido Pinot Noir, which is performing wonderfully right now, with juicy red fruits and wonderful balance.  While this was my favorite wine, it is not for sale.  So, my favorite wine of the day would fall back to the 2010 Santa Lucia Highlands Pinot Noir.

Based on this experience, I would rate the winery as a 7 and the wines offered as a 7.  This is consistent with all of my previous visits.

J. Lohr Winery, March 25th, 2012

Winery - 6 / Wines - 7
Range:  1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)
Intimate tasting room convenient to downtown San Jose.  A wide variety of white wines and red wines.
www.jlohr.com

Is there really a winery by downtown San Jose?  J. Lohr winery has been in downtown San Jose for decades.  (There is a newer tasting room just outside of Paso Robles too.)  They make a variety of wines, most of which you can taste free of charge.  One thing I appreciate about J. Lohr, beyond the quality of their wines, is that they accept wine corks for recycling.  That was my guise for visiting today.  I walk in with a bag full of wine-stained corks, deposit them into a box, taste a few wines, and walk out with a few bottles of wine.  Who knew wine-tasting could be so environmentally friendly?

The winery tasting room is housed in an older, brick-faced building that is covered with vines.  There is ample parking in spite of its proximity to downtown San Jose.  And, unlike most wineries, there is frequent public transit service just steps away.  Inside, the building exudes a well-maintained old-world charm.  Floors are a light-colored polished tile.  The walls are done in a tasteful cream color.  A tall tasting counter has a natural stone surface.  In addition to wine, there is a variety of winery-branded merchandise, including wine glasses that are nearly ideal for drinking Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.  If you are expecting a call on your cell phone, forget it – the winery building creates a dead-zone inside (and a welcome one at that).  Your phone works perfectly just outside the door.

J. Lohr makes a number of very good wines at a variety or price-points.  All of their super-market wines can be previewed here, along with their gold-label wines (which I recommend tasting).  This visit, I tasted their Merlot, Highlands Pinot Noir, and two of their premium cuvee’s.  While the Merlot could not compare to the other wines, it was priced accordingly.  My favorite was the 2007 Cuvee Pau (primarily Cabernet).  The quality of these Cuvee’s rivals that of many Napa Valley wines, even though the grapes are sourced from Paso Robles.

Based on this experience, I would rate the winery as a 6 and the wines offered as a 7.  This has been consistent as long as I have been visiting J. Lohr’s San Jose tasting room.

Ridge Winery, March 3rd, 2012

Winery - 7 / Wines - 8
Range:  1 to 9 (9 is best, 5 is average)
Mountain-top winery with panoramic views of Silicon Valley.  Chardonnay, Zinfandel, Syrah, Petite Sirah, and Cabernet Sauvignon.
www.ridgewine.com

High atop the mountains above Cupertino sits Ridge Winery’s Monte Bello tasting room.  Although an arduous drive up Monte Bello Road (behind Stevens Creek Reservoir), the vistas from atop the mountain make the drive all worthwhile.  For those of us who appreciate the twists and turns of a mountain road, the drive is half the fun.  For your passengers, the valley views that lurk beyond each turn are breathtaking.  Allow about 20 minutes to drive up the mountain carefully.

This particular trip is one I look forward to all year long, as it is the Ridge Wine Club member’s first opportunity to preview the results of the last harvest (2011 in this case).  It is also an opportunity to learn more about the wine.  They ferment each of the four grape varietals in separate barrels and preview each from barrel.  I have the unique opportunity to taste each of these grapes independently (Cabernet Franc, Petite Verdot, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon).  After tasting the individual components, I get to taste the prototype first assemblage, where the wine maker pulls together his best idea of the 2011 Ridge Monte Bello based upon how the grapes taste now.  This will evolve over the subsequent months until the final blend is formulated.  Finally, I get the opportunity to taste the released product, the 2009 Ridge Monte Bello (which I will pick up as well).

The tasting event is held in the old winery barn.  This barn sets the stage for an old-world winery experience (in stark contrast to the contemporary design of their Lytton Springs tasting room).  Although no longer used for wine production, the barn serves as the home for many of the winery’s special events.  The walls are still lined in old fence board.  The floor is a thick plank wood.  There is a large window at the far end of the room exposing the spectacular view of the southern rim of the Santa Clara Valley below.  Outside are gardens, picnic tables, and a short trail out to a point with a panoramic view of the San Francisco Bay.  On a clear day, it is possible to make out the outline of San Francisco’s Financial District to the north.  Sweeping to the south are Mountain View, Sunnyvale, downtown San Jose, and the entrance to Coyote Valley.  I was fortunate that the day before had been windy and swept the air clean.  The main tasting room lies directly across from the picnic tables.  The room is done in neutral tones so as not to detract from the sweeping views from the tasting room.  (It shares the same view as the barn.)

The tasting flight began with the 2010 Estate Chardonnay, which is more of a Burgundian style (more mineral, less exotic fruit flavors).  This was followed by the four component wines, then the prototype blend.  Of these, the Cabernet Sauvignon was probably the most drinkable, the Merlot the most tannic, and the Petite Verdot was by far the most interesting (especially its nose).  All of the wine is unusually low in alcohol content, which seems to be a characteristic of the vintage (from what I have read).  Next came the 2009 Ridge Monte Bello, which has started to shut down, but still suggests its richness.  (This tasted great out of the barrel two years ago.)  Down in the main tasting room they were previewing the new 2009 Estate Merlot, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, and Estate Cabernet Franc (I skipped this one).  Finally, I wrapped up my tasting with the 2006 Monte Bello, which is delivering a wonderful richness today.  Ridge allowed more of the vintage to express itself in this wine, so expect spiced red fruits along with steely, dark notes.

Tasting all of this wine required a two-hour visit to the winery to allow my system to process it before heading back down the mountain.  This is an important step because while the road down is certainly safe to navigate, it is also quite unforgiving of the slightest mistake.

Based on this experience, I would rate the winery as a 7 and the wines offered as an 8.  This has been consistent as long as I have been visiting Ridge’s Monte Bello tasting room.