2018 Beta Cabernet Sauvignon Monticello Vineyard
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Tasting notes
Winemaker Ketan Mody thinks there’s lots of power but not finesse in 2018 and 2019, cf 2021. Transparent, bright ruby. Quite rich and dense. More obviously ripe than the 2017. Masses of fine tannin but also a little bit of warmth on the end. Good structure. (JR)
Critic scores
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Jancis Robinson MW
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
From an unmarked magnum, the 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Montecello Vineyard Special Bottling matured in a 300-liter barrel with 42-millimeter-thick staves (thicker than normal), not the larger demi-muids used for the main bottling. While it shows more cinnamon and cedar character, it also seems more approachable, softer, velvety, dare I say plush? The wine still delivers concentrated cassis and black cherries, but it has an extra layer of textural richness that may turn on some tasters (me) yet turn off others.
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Montecillo is one of the most elegant, perfumed wines I have tasted off this Moon Mountain site. Sweet red and purplish berry fruit, rose petal, lavender, mint and exotic spice notes are all finely knit in this surprisingly silky, gracious Montecillo Cabernet. The 2018 is very fine if a bit compact.