THE STORY
The last time we took a scenic drive through the Carmel Highlands, my husband suggested we dine at Pacific’s Edge sometime. When he asked me where I wanted to go for my birthday, I asked we go there for a sunset dinner! He brought along one of my favorite wines to open with our meal. When we found this 2014 I Brand & Family Monte Bello Road Cabernet Sauvignon on the menu, we immediately pivoted and ordered that instead. We remember these rare bottlings of Monte Bello Road and were excited to see how far it had come. While we didn’t get to see a sunset (alas, coastal weather), our fine dining experience was enhanced by this special I Brand & Family @ibrandwinery wine.
But hold the presses! When doing some research for this article, I stopped in the tasting room to ask some questions. Tasting Room Manager Will found the original tech sheet for this wine and informed me the 2021 vintage received a 98 point rating from Jeb Dunnuck! Wow – impressive!
THE WINERY
I’ve written about I Brand & Family many times in Decanting Monterey. The most recent full post was here: I Brand & Family- The 2025 Spring Releases! The rest you can easily find by typing I Brand in the search bar.
THE VINEYARD
According to I Brand’s tech sheet, “Fellom Ranch is located atop of the Montebello Ridge outside of Saratoga, California between 2000-2400 fee The vineyard overlooks the San Francisco Peninsula and bay and the legendary Ridge Montebello Vineyard, with which it shares a border. The property was purchased by State Senator Roy Fellom in 1929. The modern vineyard was planted in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s by Roy (Bud) Fellom III. We get the east and northeast facing portion, which is mostly Beringer selection from 1980 and 1982. At the base of Montebello Ridge is the largest lime quarry in Northern California and the upthrusted seafloor that forms the Montebello and Black Mountain Ridges, unique to California.” You can read more about Fellom Ranch Vineyards here.
THE WINE
Today I am presenting two wines. Winery notes in general come from the tasting sheet, their website, or from tasting room staff unless otherwise indicated. Any errors are mine and mine alone!
2014 I Brand & Family Cabernet Sauvignon, Monte Bello Road, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, 14.8% ABV, $50 (#1568) (Fellom Ranch, Montebello Road)
Wine Enthusiast – 92 Points: “Elegant aromas of black raspberry, blueberry, violets and black pepper show on the nose of this bottling, which comes from grapes located adjacent to the historic Ridge winery. Sandalwood frames the palate, which offers the region’s typical herb and spice-rack flavors atop a rounded blackberry core. The tannins are firm now, and need some time to resolve.” Matt Kettmann, 06/2018
My Review: Rich nose of crushed berries and cherry, with blackberry and dark cherry dominant. Nose carries over to the slightly chalky palate. The leanness of Ian Brand’s style is balanced by the richness of the fruit in this solid Cabernet Sauvignon. Drinking well. May 2025
2021 I Brand & Family Cabernet Sauvignon, Fellom Ranch Montebello Road, Santa Cruz Mountains AVA, 14.8% ABV, $50 (#1569)
Winery Notes: “Deep dark purple. Aromas of black currant, cherries, clove spice, toasted oak, and cocoa. On the palate, lush & ripe, bramble fruit, enters medium-to-full bodied, supple tannin, and acid tension structure. A lovely wine with pleasure to fill the palate today and for years to come.” 98 points – Jeb Dunnuck
My Review: Rich nose of crushed berries and cherry, with blackberry and dark cherry dominant. Nose carries over to the slightly chalky palate. The leanness of Ian Brand’s style is balanced by the richness of the fruit in this solid Cabernet Sauvignon. Drinking well. May 2025
THE TASTING ROOM
The I Brand & Family Tasting Room, located at 19 Carmel Valley Road in Carmel Valley Village. It is open Thursday – Monday, 11 am – 5 pm. Reservations are recommended – more information here.
© Decanting Monterey 2025
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