Diane Kessler

9.0

Classic cherry and cigar box. Very satisfying and full bodied for this weak vintage. — 6 years ago

Steve Messinger

10

1990, perfection. Wonderful boutique of cedar box, clay, and sage. Medium bodied evolved tannins great depth w long finish — 8 years ago

David Singer

Sommelier/Wine Educator LibationEducation

9.3

Classic Margaux, elegant, cassis, cherry, cigar box, ripe bell pepper, solid length — 9 years ago

Weijie Shi (Jay)

9.0

Black fruits, cedar box, liquorice, cigar box, menthol. Huge structure, chewy tannin, slightly green on the palate, 30s finish. Need more time. 2012 vintage — 9 years ago

Laura Booras

9.5

Leather and mint on the finish. Tobacco, cigar box. — 10 years ago

Lisa Burch

9.0

Tasty and inexpensive. — 11 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.0

2000 nice evolution fresh earth red currants and cassis very complex bouquet cigar box. Very smooth and balanced but still has a good hand of tannins red currant exotic spice sand a long layered finish 50+ most excellent 2006 very forward and fruity bouquet light smoke cigar box and fresh earth smooth and evolved on the palate very smooth drinking nicely right now. Finish 45+ excellent + 2010 first certification year lovely complexity toasty oak spice dark currant and coffee fresh earth very well endowed tannins are a bit hard but lots of everything and a long finish 50+ killer — 13 years ago

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. — 8 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. — 9 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 — 11 years ago

Liz Weidner

9.9

Delicious but $16. — 12 years ago

Paul Koplitz

9.0

Best box wine I’ve had. Worth every penny. — 7 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

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

Let's start with classic Haut Brion elegance. So soft, beautiful and understated. Black plum, black raspberries, dark cherries, cooked strawberries, even a touch of cooked rhubarb, suede leather, cedar, spice box, dried red roses, elegant wet black earth and a finish one never forgets. Perfect pair with the lamb chops. Out of 375ml. — 10 years ago

PJ

9.5

Great way to warm up on a 20 degree night! 🍷 — 11 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 — 13 years ago