Past peak on this. Raisin and prune are prominent and little fruit left on the palette. — 2 days ago
Oak Room DC — 4 hours ago
A stunner. — 24 days ago
Presented double-blind at dinner. The wine pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core and a slightly orange rim with considerable variation; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some fine sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous with notes of ripe and desiccated fruit: black currants, blackberries, plum, pipe tobacco, capsicum, pencil shavings, a touch leather, organic earth and a mix of dried herbs and some fine warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Really tasty stuff.
Initial conclusions: this is an old wine, likely 30-40 years old. That being said, it’s still very distinguishable as it’s showing varietal characteristics. This could be Cabernet Sauvignon (or a blend thereof), Cabernet Franc (or a blend thereof), or Merlot (or a blend thereof). I can see this being Napa because the fruit is still showing some generosity. But there’s a lot of non-fruits there too. Regardless, this was giving Left Bank vibes so I could also see this being Bordeaux from a great vintage like 1982. And that’s my call, Cabernet Sauvignon-blend from France, Bordeaux, Saint-Estèphe, from a classified growth like Calon-Ségur. Shucks. But I’m not mad about my choice! Old Opus One’s are tricky to differentiate. Drinking very well right now but this will live well past 2035. — 2 days ago
Anniversary wine — 3 days ago
Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.
Fruity nose and medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with nice complexity.
Showing plums, currants, light wood, earth, spices, coffee, herbs, dark chocolates, tobacco leaf, black pepper, pencil lead and black tea.
Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a very tasty Cabernet Sauvignon based blend from Margaux. Nicely balanced and easy drinking. Fruit forward and elegant.
Showing nice complexity with a soft mouthfeel, spicy and Interesting.
This 10 year old from the great 2016 vintage is still young, and needs a few years in the bottle to mature properly.
Needed a few hours to open up properly, which I didn't have, and it might have been a bit better with more airtime. Already enjoyable even by itself, and a good food wine too.
A blend of 68% Cabernet Sauvignon and 32% Merlot. Aged in (60% new) French Oak barrels for 16 months.
13.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$90. — a month ago
Dark tannins, cherries, fig jam and long minerals # — a month ago
Delicious red wine with cheese, crackers and potato chips on a wonderful trip to the Pacific Northwest. — a month ago
Fantastic! — 2 months ago
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. — 19 days ago
Always a favorite — 2 days ago
Joe Flo
This wine is still rocking. Last 2012 btl unfortunately. — 11 days ago