Opaque purple-ruby color. Ripe blackberry fruit, barrel spice, anise, violets, and crushed limestone. Opulent mountain fruit entry, firm acid, and fine-grain, age-worthy tannins. Powerful complexity and tremendous length to the finish. EB (1/18)

Late winter rains brought some relief from another year of drought. Monte Bello’s fractured limestone held onto this moisture for the vines to draw on through a mild summer. Unusually cold nights slowed ripening and developed firm acidity, while gentle extraction during fermentation kept tannins in balance. Through careful blind-tasting twentythree lots were assembled and spent eighteen months in barrel. This superb vintage will age beautifully over the next thirty years.

• The wines are delicious. If you don't agree, we'll take them back.
• They'll arrive in perfect condition. If they don't, we'll send you new ones.
• You'll always know where the grapes are grown, how the wine was made, and when to drink it, which is included on the back label of every wine we produce. Explore our label.