Cory Bolton

9.6

I have an affinity to Mike Smith wines. Let this baby breathe for a couple hours and it opens up well. Prime for drinking now — bold, dense fruit flavor that you’d come to expect from a Napa cab powerhouse wine maker. Full body and long peppery finish. Still a winner in my book. — 7 years ago

Palmer Emmitt

Owner/Winemaker Judge Palmer

9.4

I think my first Monte Bello and it does not disappoint. A very charming wine with an intriguing tomato component backed up by tons of cassis - "classic" California Cab. Great structure and for me in its prime right now (from half bottle). — 9 years ago

Leslie Bartos

9.6

started to open at 4+ hour. wait on last 2 bottles as very promising! paired lovely with a prime rib. long finish, integrating nicely with a lot of fruit left. incredible fruit purity in a Napa Cabernet- dark cherry, cedar, lead pencil, coffee. secondary elements just starting. 2001 vintage on 3/11/17. — 9 years ago

with Tony

Richard Adams

9.7

Outstanding purity and balance. Prime window now. — 10 years ago

Ken Frank

9.3

59 is drinking beautifully tonight. Elegant perfume, nice length and finish. — 10 years ago

Jack Clare

9.5

Decanted, it was outstanding all evening...not early or late, in its prime! — 11 years ago

Paul Costigan

Founder Courtier Wines

9.2

1967: Lively spicy nose. Redolent with eucalyptus, as should be anticipated and celebrated. Metallic component, yet solid throughout of vibrant fruit. While a mere shadow of the other worldly 1968, still a prime example of the birth of modern California winemaking. An honor to experience. — 11 years ago

with Michael

Kurt Krestinski

9.0

Smooth. Dark purple. Hints of blackberry raspberry and grapefruit. — 11 years ago

Johnny Shortsleeve

9.1

For $12, this is a pretty darn good bottle of wine. Smooth and mellow. — 13 years ago

Chad Thompson

8.9

Might be the bottle but just a bit past its prime. Still good - sweet core, good acid, dark fruits. — 8 years ago

Seiji Takeuchi

9.1

Japan! Love this beer! — 9 years ago

Andy Burwell

9.5

Elegant and refined Pinot Noir. Medium color and weight with a long smooth finish complemented by dark berries, Forrest floor and casis. — 9 years ago

Dave Weick

9.5

WOTN Xmas 2016 with the 2006 vintage. Perfect pairing for prime rib. Great fruit, balance, excellent example of an Italian Bolgheri blend. Drinking well now but will clearly last for a while. — 10 years ago

Ian Downey

9.5

Great dinner, tasted the 79; 85; 90; 99; 04; 07; 13. Memorable night! Like most, I thought the '13 was fantastic. The '99 was my favorite, however, showing a little more attitude and personality from a vintage that challenged the winemaker in different ways than the '13. The '85 was also very good. The '79 was past prime, noticeably. — 10 years ago

Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.6

Superb, long lived and exquisitely balanced. Almost as good as the 59. Number 2 wine of this Latour vertical. — 10 years ago

Lara Dunphy Guest

Director Sales & Marketing Black Cordon Vineyards, Sixteen by Twenty Wines

9.2

Another wine courtesy of my Dad as a birthday gift when I was a child. It's not far from going over the hill, but it was hanging on. Dried strawberry and dried cherry, subtle leather, acidity was almost too high, but not unpleasant. Overall enjoyable but I certainly did not enjoy it in its prime, unfortunately. — 11 years ago

with Nicholas

Rick Galiardo

9.4

Bordeaux wine dinner; 6/18/15: Pichon Lalande 1990 - Lighter color than others, I think passing its prime. A little dry on the finish but perfectly nice still. Gruaud Larose 1989 - Very classic nose and palate of cedar and pine notes. Most silky palate of the bunch. Two at the table thought it was wine of the night. Not as much to my taste but very much classy Gruaud. Cos 1986 - Funky barnyard nose. Deep palate with still strong tannin, but plenty of fruit coming through. Liked it but there was some brett there that to me, hurt. Lynch Bages 1985 - For me, the wine of the night, largely due to the truly stunning nose. A tad dry on the palate but still long finish of dark fruit. — 11 years ago

Damon Slachter

9.2

@Greg Wirth now this is some good stuff — 11 years ago

Garrett Smith

Sommelier Restaurant DANIEL

9.3

Similar to its Margaux brother house '59, if not as great fruit remaining. — 12 years ago

Louis Taylor

9.0

We liked this wine, full bodied with a fruity bouquet. — 9 years ago

Christian Ford

9.0

Quite nice but clearly way past it's prime for this half bottle — 9 years ago

Jason Sliwa

9.5

It feels like it was in prime shape. Restrained but pleasant fruit with round tannins and great acidity. — 9 years ago

with Vicki and Max

Dave Weick

9.2

Xmas prime rib dinner. Started with the 01 Insignia. Excellent example of Napa fruit. Dark berries, anise, softened tannins with the age, a big wine. — 10 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.4

Ideal maturity! Like Pontet-Canet and Leoville-Barton, Gruaud made a better 1994 than the more famous 1995 & 1996. This isn't just good for an off year- with prime rib it is great cassis loaded, medium bodied, vibrant claret. — 10 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.3

Lovely old fashioned claret with plenty of earth and perfectly developed texture. Off the charts with dry aged prime ribeye from Dittmers and risotto! — 10 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.1

Bonus Wine #2 after Arietta wine dinner. a bit of barnyard on the nose. Consensus was this was past prime, but still a nice treat. Thanks @Dustin Cano ! — 11 years ago

Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

8.9

1975. Very nice earthy nose and palate. Moderate aromatic finish. Past its prime. Drink up. — 11 years ago

Abbi Kanthasamy

10

Figs. Graphite. Silky n smooth. Mature. It's the best red blend I've ever had. That was the 59. Can't wait to try the 61 — 11 years ago

John Wight

Sommelier/Wine Director Luce Restaurant

10

1982
At us prime! Stunning n gorgeous ! — 12 years ago

Dan Brow

9.8

Past its prime ? Could be. Otherwise a smooth and well rounded blend, a bit on the dry side, notes of earth and dark ripe berries. Was paired very well with a prime aged steak and truffles. — 13 years ago