Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

My first of nine bottles. Good first look. 13 such an excellent & big vintage. This is still midway to the top of the bell curve. 15-20 yrs plus depending on storage & taste.

The 2013 fruit clusters had small berries that were nicely ripened by the season, which meant more skins vs berry that gave it tannins, structure & depth.

Epic vintage.

The nose reveals; a lift of sage & rosemary. Black currants, blackberries, black raspberries, black plum, dark cherry liqueur, anise core to black licorice, sage, soft rosemary, dark chocolate to pudding, mixed cola, steeped tea, some black pepper, limestone, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, dry twig, grey volcanics, withering to dry; dark, red, purple flowers.

The palate is round, lush & thick. M+ dry, velvety tannins that penetrate deeply w/ teeth. Black raspberries, black plum, dark cherry liqueur, anise core to black licorice, sage, soft rosemary, dark chocolate to black plum pudding, caramel, dark spices w/ heat, clove, nutmeg, cinnamon to stick, vanillin, mixed cola, steeped tea, some black pepper, limestone, dry crushed rocks, dry top soil, dry twig, moist clay, grey volcanics, leather, graphite, moist tobacco, oak barrel shavings, withering to dry; dark, red, purple flowers, round, rainfall acidity with a rich/lush, nearly balanced, still strongly toned/structured, elegant finish with length & teeth that lasts minutes and lands on spice & earthiness.

It is still a baby. Plenty of life ahead. It has much more to offer. 15-20 yrs depending on storage and age taste. Add 1-2 points in 10 yrs. — 14 days ago

Sharon B

9.5

It’s National Red Wine Day! Let me see your wine! — 11 hours ago

Gladys Xiques

9.2

Aged purple fruit. Paired with meat chili — 10 days ago

Brad Jensen

9.3

Surprisingly ready nose, like fresh crust of a sourdough, with Buddha’s hand or star fruit dry citrus merged with some dry mineral freshness. There’s actually a hint of band aid in there as well, though not off putting. The bubbles dissipate relatively quickly, but the palate is long and lingering, with tons of acidity, some slight baking notes, and a nice dry, energetic finish that keeps the dry citrus at the forefront. — a month ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.2

David Hirsch passed away this week - so this is a tough one. Gained complexity with time 4 days under Argon gas line. Mostly raspberry driven. No cherry here…. — a month ago

Andrea Watt

9.2

Cherry, oak, and a hint of cinnamon. Medium bodied and approachable. — a month ago

Jason Phillips

9.0

Good nose. Dark red color. Lighter than expected but great finish. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Opened about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2001 Monte Bello pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of black currants, blackberries, plum, tobacco, purple flowers, an intoxicating mix of exotic Eastern spices, some cocoa, inorganic earth and minerals. On the palate? The wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and impeccably balanced. To my palate, this bottle has reached the age when Monte Bello starts to really become interesting. What a delight! Drink now with some air, through 2051. — 7 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Dark Ruby red color with aromas of ripe berry fruits, herbs and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry, raspberry and black currant with espresso, cacao, cedar and earthy spice notes. Good balance, lively acidity, fine tannins long ending with fruit and toasty tobacco spice! Nice! — 20 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I recently had a conversation with a few Joseph Phelps Ambassador’s at Pebble Beach Food & Wine in April. I said, I had every vintage of Insignia back to 2006 in storage. They said, “you should really drink up the 2006.” So, I coravined an 06 last weekend, a taste. I agreed then. But tonight not the case, it shows it still has a fair amount of life. Another 5-8 yrs and perhaps plus.

My Ribcap, a definition of Medium Rare Plus.

The nose reveals floral; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, dark cherries and blue fruit notes. Melted dark chocolate, mocha, caramel, softly layered baking spices, very underrated graphite, steeped tea, mid berry cola, red licorice, limestone powder, dry top soil, dry twig, red, dark candied to slightly withering florals w/ liquid violet cola.

The palate shows well resolved, rounded, velvety M+ tannins. Nicely ripe fruits that are floral; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, poached strawberries, dark cherries and blue fruit notes. Melted dark chocolate, mocha, caramel river, softly layered baking spices-clove, nutmeg, cinnamon stick & vanillin, warm caramel, dark Asian spices with palate burrowing heat, dry tobacco/ leather, cedar, grilled meats, very underrated graphite, sweet tarriness, black licorice, steeped tea, mid berry cola, red licorice, limestone powder, dry top soil, dry twig, red, dark candied to slightly withering florals w/ liquid violet cola, candied to withering; dark, red, blue florals wrapped in liquid violets, epic rainfall acidity, well balanced-structured-toned, elegant finish that lasts minutes and falls on earth & heated spice.

95-96 peaking. — a month ago

John Miller

9.5

Worth the hype — 13 days ago

Andrea Watt

8.9

Plum and mushroom with a touch of pepper. Good but a little earthy for me. — a month ago

Lars

9.2

9 years has done this well! — a month ago

Tom Garland

9.3

1 hour decant(some fine/cloudy sediment). A striking still dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: Intoxicating notes of stewed dark fruit, floral, potting soil, cinnamon, mint, coffee grounds. Taste: silky, balanced, savory, creamy, juicy wine with dried blackberry, currants, dark chocolate, earth, mocha, crushed stone, and a peppery graphite long finish. YUM! Somewhere in its peaked drinking window so drink em if you got em. Unfortunately, my last bottle. — 14 days ago

with Brenda

Allison Frazier

10

Oh loved loved loved it! Gift from Radek, Piotr, Marcin. — 9 days ago

John Harding

9.6

Cherry and berry nose. Fruit forward with a distinctive spice. Tannins and acidity have mellowed. Easily my favorite. Easy to drink. Drank this 2009 in 2026. Probably my favorite vintage. I save it for special occasions, but it’s time to drink it. Bottom of the cork was getting crumbly. — 10 days ago

with Jenny

Andy@andyberke.com

9.3

Really excellent. Fantastic with steak. Classic cab — 4 days ago

Ki Punwar

Owner, California Wine Republic

9.7

Drinking really well right now — 6 days ago

Anne Holmes

9.5

Dinner @ Rare Society — 4 days ago

with Thomas

Abe Froman

9.8

Delicious @caymus with wife m. The bartender Steve let me know that this is what 90% of people come in for and it’s incredible. Super smooth. — a month ago