Adam Gäfvert

9.3

Compared to the 2005 Pichon Baron the 2006 Pichon Lalande is more elegant and etherial. More medium bodied. It has notes of flowers, herbs, delicate berries, black tea, salmiak, violets, cacao and crushed rock. Silky texture. — 5 months ago

Delectable Wine

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9.8

The 2016 Palmer is a brilliant wine from Thomas Duroux, though I feel it will ultimately be surpassed by the 2018. You cannot argue with the nose: intense black cherries and raspberry fruit, crushed violets and crème de cassis (as if there was a touch of Pauillac in there). The palate is medium-bodied with fleshy, sensual tannins, perfect acidity, velvet smooth with layers of chocolate-tinged black fruit, hints of black pepper and cedar towards the sustained finish. It is a fabulous Palmer that will give much pleasure. Tasted at the Palmer vertical at the château. (Neal Martin, Vinous, August 2023)
— 7 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (54%), Merlot (38%) and Cabernet Franc (8%). Dark ruby color with purple highlights. Dark fruit aromas with hints of charcoal, bramble, mint and violets. Black cherry leads the palate along with notes of blueberry, plum, currants and dark chocolate. Hint of minerals and fresh herbs on the long finish. Juicy, fresh tasting and well structured. Thanks for sharing, James W. — a year ago

Thomas Epps

9.7

Wonderful! — 4 years ago

with Jeannie

Jeff Murray

9.0

Excellent blend of Grenache, Mourvèdre and Tempranillo instead of Syrah. Works very well. I saw this described as “dusty fruits” which I take to mean earthy, and just slightly subdued. Relatively smooth and opens up nicely with air time. Will keep the other bottles for a while to see how the evolve. Another good effort from ONX wines out of Pasa Robles. Cheers — 4 years ago

Velma Cooper

9.0

Velma had this 5 years ago

Kristie Tacey

8.9

Lovely nose of violets, cranberry, red currant, mocha, petrichor, and charcoal. The pallet is muted comparatively, but enjoyable. — 6 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Is there a better SJ on the planet? This had a shoe polish, glycerin note with a silky, elegant texture showing black cherry, raspberry, black olive, sweet & savory spices, graphite & violets. — 6 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

A wine that never fails to impress showing a perfumed nose of dark cherry & berry fruit, silky elegant mouth feel with notes of black pepper, olive, sweet & savory spice, crushed rock, saline & violets. — 8 months ago

Doug Powers

9.5

Blackcurrants, violets, still some structure, fruit seems a little “cooler” (less ripe) than the 1990, long finish, also seems youthful, two terrific Bordeaux with pristine corks and high fill levels!! — a year ago

with Jim

Ron Siegel

9.4

This needed some air to open showing lots of floral & spice with notes of red cherry, strawberry, plum, orange peel, dried herbs, leather, tobacco & violets. This will need a few more years but should be another great vintage for this wine. — 4 years ago

Diana Eng

9.6

Wild strawberries, tart red cherries, raspberries and pomegranates enveloped by fully bloomed red roses and violets. Some iron and red clay, cinnamon and nutmeg, black tea. Med plus acid, med tannin, med plus finish. So expressive. — 5 years ago

with EatSommThings

Jordan Wardlaw

9.1

Seems to be in a good stage of development- nicely softened tannins. Juicy blackberry, game and violets. Drink this with bloody steak or by a winter fire. — 6 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1995 vintage. Decanted and traced over the course of 1.5 hours. Nice, top-shoulder fill. Great cork. Throwing very little sed. Cocoa powder and crushed violets in a fairly reticent nose. Light-medium body. Soft entry flavors with acidity and remaining tannins picking up intensity on the concentrated finish. Holding steady now and likely for 7-10 years on this plateau. Not improving but not falling off anytime soon. 12.3.23. — 6 months ago

Austin Hohnke

9.1

Smoky violets. Savory with a whiff of grapefruit. Whole cluster. Thoughtful. — 6 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.2

This had lots of red & dark fruit, raspberry with good acidity, baking spices, orange peel, mineral & violets. — 8 months ago

David Kline

9.3

1997 and holding up very well. Brisket, prune and baked plum, graphite sparkles, dried red currant, crumbly rose petal, cedar sawdust and baked black currant. Rich and half dried black cherry, similar with black currant, velvety thick robe of tannin, dark chocolate with dried raspberries, violets and cinnamon, fresh raspberry, mild black pepper, coffee splash and long long graphite shine. Amazed at the quality here, and stunned by the longevity.

#chateaumontelena #1997cab #napa #napacab #themontelenaestate #chateaumontelenacab #cabernetsauvignon #estatebottled #bobarrett #newworldcab #newworldfirstgrowth #chateaumontelenaestate — 2 years ago

Mark Geylikman

9.8

Phenomenal. Bacon, violets, lavender, black cherry, dark chocolate, spice, and animal. — 5 years ago

WC Fields

9.3

Winner! Blackberries, violets, anise, wild herbs. Nice acid and smooth tannins. Nice to have 2 left. — 5 years ago

Manchester Sheldon

9.3

Violets and peppercorns on the nose, it needs some air to open up, dark wood and some earth on the background. — 6 years ago