Lewis Chester

9.5

1958 Giacomo Conterno Monfortino: from Jay. This was the Ying to the Mascarello's Yang. Lovely rich ruby colour with virtually no bricking on the edge. The nose developed over the course of 15 to 20 mins in the glass. Unlike the Mascarello that was shedding perfume from the moment it hit the glass, the Monfortino needed more air before becoming less brooding. Dark fruits on the nose. Purple plums, black cherries, some forest floor, light tobacco as well as some floral elements prevailed. The palette was a reflection of the nose so no surprises. The fruit was far from dried out and this particular bottle still had plenty of life left in it but from my recent experience this is the exception rather than the rule. I have had around 10 bottles of old Monfortino ('55 / '58 / and '61) over the last year and the bottle variation, as you would expect, is tremendous with the majority of them past their prime. The finish was strong and in keeping with the rest of the package with reasonable length and quality. Drink now. 95/100.

— 10 years ago

JCB

9.4

Extraordinary. Slightly, slightly past its peak. Lovely berries, currants and a hint of shoe leather. Twinge of gunpowder still there but faint. Fading, fading... — 11 years ago

Andrew Lampasone

Owner Wine Watch Selections

9.6

Still has a bit of red currant berry fruit notes of cigar box spice and coffee dried herbs and earth. Very smooth and silky drinking a bit past it's peak but still nice. Excellent — 11 years ago

Michael Januszeski

9.4

A cab from one of my favorite Napa wineries. This 1997 Silver Oak has done exceptionally well over the past 18 years. I'll plan to tap his brothers over the next few years to see how far this vintage can go — 10 years ago

Scorewine

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

9.1

Lovely champagne, so young and fresh, though it is at its sweet 16. Light gold color, lovely bubbles more on the mild side, I guess it was a bit more perky in the past, nose of citrus, grapefruit, hint of tropical and oak with a touch of yeast. Super fresh body, crisp and appealing, with long yummy fresh finish. A lovely champagne. My score 91, drink to celebrate life any day until 2020. — 10 years ago

Knightsbridge Wine Shoppe

9.7

Bright fruit, floral and crushed stone. Still a very focused wine with lots of energy and refreshing acidity. Has not seemed to age over the past few years. — 11 years ago

Benjamin Hickey

9.6

Super complex, great flavours, still some fruit but lots of secondary flavours. Amazing flavours, complexity, balance and length. — 10 years ago

Joseph C Burke

9.4

Deep red with slight brick edging; nose of ripe black cherry, cedar and herbs; soft and luscious cassis and sweet oak on palate with a lingering finish of mushroom with a hint of sweet tobacco. Perfectly integrated and just past its peak from a 25 year sleep in my cellar. — 10 years ago

Jeremy Giesbrecht

9.5

Um yeah... #BOOM status granted for this at the #yulwinethrowdown . 81 not the best of vintages and wines are reportedly past peak but this first growth was not. Very interesting flavour profile, certainly secondary characteristics but structurally still pretty sound. I was glad to find it still alive and in my opinion had many more years left before the big decline. Awesome privilege to have tasted. — 11 years ago

Tom Higgins

Owner/Winemaker Heart & Hands Wine Company

9.3

Aromas of buttered toast, honeysuckle, almonds, and fig. Vanilla, ripe peaches, and truffles on the palate. Alc shows through a little more than the fruit at this point. The wine is a little past peak. — 12 years ago