Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Deep Ruby with aromas of berry fruits with spice, herb and earthy notes. On the palate flavors of blackberry, ripe cherry and blueberry with currants, cacao, cinnamon and tobacco notes. Fine tannins, good structure, long finish, great mouthfeel, ending with cedar, fruit and tobacco vanilla notes. Very Nice. Will benefit from aging! — 4 days ago

Randy Fuller

9.2

This wine has barely any color at all, just a very faint yellow-green tint. The nose is nice. There is a slight trace of petrol, which I always love to find in a Riesling. More dominant is a lanolin note which joins a light floral aroma. The palate straddles the fence between dry and sweet, offering up some tasty stone fruit and a savory side marked by gentle spices and a workable acidity. I would like a drier wine better, but I drank this quaff gladly and poured another. — a month ago

Ted

9.1

Solid Cabernet. — 6 days ago

with Jeni

Lars

9.2

2018 in 2024. Could use some more time in the cellar. — 12 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1994 vintage. Decanted and throwing heavy sed. Tasted after 30 minutes. Medium/medium heavy body. Dark fruit and earth components driving the bus. Nose with plenty of leather and dirty durty. Has 5-6 more years at this plateau before dropping down a notch. Plenty of pleasure still to be had here if this is your preferred style/jam. The Napa equivalent of Leoville Las Cases. 5.15.24. — 7 days ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Inspire Napa for Alzheimer research Wine Seminar at Round Pond Estate

Moderator: Ray Isle, Wine Editor, Food & Wine
Panelists:
Antonio Galloni, Vinous founder
Carissa Mondavi, Continuum Estate
Michael Silacci, Opus One Winery
Jason Lede, Cliff Lede Vineyards
Jason Smith, Schrader Cellars

WINES: wines that inspired each person
1977 Mondavi cab reserve...Carissa birth yr
2018 Rinaldi Barolo Brunate...Antonio
2022 Hirsch Estate chard.....Jason Smith
2017 Mas Doix Costers de Vinyes..Jason Lede
2005 Mario Bazan cab....Michael Silacci
2018 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill...Ray Isle — 19 days ago

with Brenda

Jeffrey Trezek

9.5

Deep, rich aromas of leather and black fruit. Silky mouthful with easy tannins. Excellent sip! — 12 days ago

Ed Chin

9.4

I don’t know why it’s taken so long to try this bottling. I have missed out all these years. Clean purity of fruit mild depth at this early age and just plain exciting. Definitely worth the wait — 18 days ago

Ken Venezio

9.3

Beautiful Far Niente family Cab. Friendly fruit forward cab with an abundance of spice. Inky in the glass, red and black berries plus a hint of leather and cedar mid palate. Good balance and brightness with a softer tannin finish. — 11 days ago

Shay A

9.4

Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.

Here we are six years after my last ‘88 Montelena and I’m looking at my old review as if I wrote it about this current bottle! So bright and lively. Gorgeous deep ruby color (darker than the ‘88 Leoville Barton). There is a Christmas spice (maybe more mint-driven) aromatic with bing cherries and floral notes. Red fruit to the core with some spiced blackberries, earthy/herbal savoriness, great acidity and a snappy/youthful finish. Cedar and espresso. Held strong over a few hours open. Not falling off a cliff, but don’t miss this window if you have some! — a month ago