Bloody Amateur

9.5

Not a “Bordeaux guy” but that may be because I don’t/can’t get my hands on the real stuff. This was pretty revelatory. More floral and delicate and sensuous than I could’ve imagined for a broad category our server called “cigar-box.” — 7 years ago

with Gaurav

Mark Flesher

9.3

This wine had some tobacco and earth FUNK after it was opened up. The herbaceous and tobacco ash note on the nose was almost identical to the 1980 Beringer State Lane cab. This did blow off after an hour, but the wine was less fruit than I thought it would have been. Lots of dark figgy jam. Tobacco and cigar box. I'm sure the fruit came back after I left, but this would have been 2 hours after opening and just didn't have the time to see this one though, hence the "NR" rating. Impressed by this wine, and probably one of the older Monte Bello wines I've been able to drink. — 9 years ago

with Benjamin

Laura Diefenderfer

9.0

Great taste. Not dry. Smooth with a hint of blackberry. Ideally paired with a medium rare steak. — 10 years ago

Phil Orlandini

9.1

This... doesn't make me feel drunk. This is gonna be my workin' wine. — 10 years ago

with Juliane

Sean Fischa

9.1

My new house wine — 12 years ago

Liz Weidner

9.9

Delicious but $16. — 13 years ago

Paul Koplitz

9.0

Best box wine I’ve had. Worth every penny. — 8 years ago

Matt McMonagle

9.0

Great value. Really really drinkable. — 8 years ago

Colin Cahoon

9.4

Classic Rioja. Dark cherry and blackberry nose with cigar box in the background. More dark cherry, plum, leather and mocha on the palate. Chewy tannins and lingering acid through the finish. Powerful but balanced from start to finish. — 9 years ago

Scorewine

Wine writer http://www.israelwines.co.il

9.0

A fantastic 2002, this lovely wine shows once more that today there aren't really bad years in Bordeaux, this Pontet Canet was well structured rich and tempting. Deep red, tempting rich multi layered nose ripe cherries, black current, coffee, cigar box, and tea leaves, full rich body, dry tannins, full of black fruit, high acidity and a long chewy finish. Was worth the wait, my score 90. Drink to 2022 — 10 years ago

Helen M Gaydos

9.4

Aromas of briars black currant, lead pencil, meaty and cedar box. Med bodied, and structure overtakes fruit but let's see with a NY Strip! — 11 years ago

with Mark

Lisa Burch

9.0

Tasty and inexpensive. — 12 years ago

Becky Larson

8.9

Black box merlot !! Yummy — 13 years ago

Guillermo Camacho

9.2

Wine held up extremely well for age, maintained concentration but still complexified. Dark blue/red fruit, spice box, and chocolate on the nose. An ensemble of fruit on the palate with an amazing acidity that continued to tease out nuances. Extra .1 for showing it’s ability to age gracefully. — 8 years ago

Steve Messinger

10

1990, perfection. Wonderful boutique of cedar box, clay, and sage. Medium bodied evolved tannins great depth w long finish — 9 years ago

Daron Watson

9.5

How'd the 375ml of '59 Chevy w mid-shoulder fill show?
#LIKEABOSS!
Nose of crushed leather furniture, cigar box, fig, Christmas cake, plum & hints of a red cherry cordial
Still a pop of acidity with the fruit, but richness dominated adding raisin to the flavors along w feral animale & shaved dark chocolate taking over on the lengthy finish — 9 years ago

Holly Orchard

Certified Sommelier, President of Savvy Cellar Wines Inc.

9.0

Ok, I actually bumped my rating up after letting this wine open up a bit, so I would recommend a gentle decant. This wine started with some pronounced green bell pepper and subdued fruit. It quickly changed to toast oak, cedar box, a touch of menthol, dried flowers, dried cherries, black plum, dried coconut, and firm tannins. It paired well with prime New York and roasted broccoli. — 10 years ago

PJ

9.5

Great way to warm up on a 20 degree night! 🍷 — 12 years ago

Lisa Kinser

10

Great with Thanksgiving dinner! — 12 years ago

Rachel Hughes

9.0

Shiraz (70%), Cabernet Sauvignon (23%), Merlot (7%)
2009
Padthaway, Australia — 14 years ago