2017 Beta - Montecillo and Vare Release

WINE TALK
462

Funny timing, I pulled the 2018 out to pop this weekend to at least start trying these wines. Nice timing!

And again, when are these releases coming?

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463

Patiently waiting for the 19 beta release. The wines are superb. Ill buy as many as I can.

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464

As weā€™re patiently awaiting the next release and Iā€™ve yet to actually try the wines, I was thinking about opening a ā€˜17 Vare. Anyone have one recently and any suggestions on decant time, etc. thanks!

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465

I had one in the fall, noticeably more open day 2 so whatever you do would do a pretty long decant. Think I probably did 2 hours day 1. Might shoot for 5-6 if doable.

466

I opened a 2017 last year and gave it an extended decant. Opened around 8AM, poured into a decanter and then back into the bottle to slow-ox around 4PM before dinner at 6PM. It still improved over the 2 hours we ate/drank, so these are definitely built for the long haul.

I didnā€™t want to overdo the decant, so I cut things too short. I didnā€™t leave any for Day 2, unfortunately. If I were to do it again this early, Iā€™d probably slow-ox overnight the day before and then let it decant openly for the 10 hours prior to dinner.

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467

I had a Montecillo vertical, with many vintages from 11 to 18, all of which were decanted beforehand and were still going very strong on day 3. I wouldnt worry about over decanting.

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468

Wines like these can be opened, recorked and drunk several days later and still be good.

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469

Finally got around to opening a Beta wine, a 17 Montecillo. Decanted it for two hours before returning to the bottle and bringing to my Friday group. Put it back in at the decanter for another hour before trying it.

It has that beautiful, bright, dark purple color weā€™re used to with current Napa cabs but flavor profile was much more subdued. I know I should hold onto these much longer, but I had to try one and it did not disappoint.

It doesnā€™t have a hint of heat or heavy new oak nor is it green or thin either. it drank beautifully like a classified growth Bordeaux, and you can taste the potential of what will come out someday. If I didnā€™t have a massive party tomorrow night, I wouldā€™ve taken what remained home to drink over the next couple of days but I knew Iā€™d never get to it.

Iā€™m looking forward to continuing the journey with Ketan on future releases

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470

agree