Mike Evans

9.1

A little muted even after having been double decanted 4 hours earlier, it really needs more cellar time to unfurl. — 22 days ago

Shaun Cordingley

9.0

Very nice with lasagna — 13 days ago

Jessica Knickerbocker

8.9

Decent enough to enjoy for the evening. Nice dark red. — 7 days ago

Kelley Raymond

9.3

Really deep color. But if berry, but balanced. — 20 days ago

Ted

9.1

Solid Cabernet. — 13 days ago

with Jeni

Lars

9.2

2018 in 2024. Could use some more time in the cellar. — 19 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

Deep Ruby color with aromas of red fruits, cedar and baking spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with toasty notes and cinnamon spice. Aged in French oak (about 50% new). Full-bodied, fine soft tannins, long finish ending with fruit, toasty oak and an earthy character. Nice! — a month ago

Veronica S

9.6

After 20 years, it still took extensive decanting to soften the initially gripping tannins. Once it did, beautiful dark fruits came through. Black currants, stewed prunes, delicious and full on the palate. Outstanding. Paired well with Brie and beef chow fun!!  — 17 days ago

Delectable Wine

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9.6

The 2012 Insignia is in great shape today. Bright acids lend tremendous energy to a mid-weight Insignia that is more about finesse rather than power. Sweet red-fleshed fruit, cedar, tobacco, mint and rose petal are all beautifully delineated. There's not much left to say. The 2012 offers tons of pure pleasure. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, May 2024)
— 21 days ago

Lawrence Bernstein

9.1

5/24 2015. Beautiful wine. Wonderfully balanced.. 91 — 3 days ago

eagle_eye

9.1

Great mix of a European and Napa style. Nice fruit and slight butter after. Very nice. — 21 days ago

Brian Grech

9.5

At San Ho Won with Ryan and Steph — a month ago

with Ashley

Chris Bensick

9.5

Jonathan’s 40th birthday wine, also 40 years old. Martha’s Vineyard 1984. Another old classic California Cabernet that won’t quit. Good cork, savory and aromatic, a fine old wine indeed! — a month 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

Victor Hsu

9.1

This IS Santa Barbara County Pinot! First taste was a big burst of fruit. Not too sweet, not simple and unsophisticated, not a jammy Zin bomb, mind you. Instead, more like a zing of bright, pure, winey fruit. Remarkable and memorable. We had the 2022 vintage in a magnum bottle so perhaps that helped preserve its freshness and purity. We enjoyed this Big Mama at the Palm Restaurant in downtown LA, celebrating my daughter Rachel’s graduation from UCLA Law School. Congratulations, Rachel! — 19 days ago

Nate Buchanan

9.4

Tannin chew plus juicy. — 3 days ago

Jedidiah Abrams

9.2

In magnum. — 4 days ago

Jacob Onufrychuk

9.1

Raspberry, blackberry, vanilla, and mint on the nose. — 11 days ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.1

New vintage of this trusted cab. Delicious as always. Layers of cherry, some constraint, smooth. — a month ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.1

Deep ruby in color; cassis, black plum, and black pepper on the nose; medium acidity; high tannins; tastes like blackberries, black cherries, and eucalyptus with a long finish. It's better after decanting for about 30 minutes. I like it, and Nellie likes it with food. — a month ago

with Nellie