Josh Morgenthau

9.2

Blackberry jam nose with some leather, tar and leaf litter. Color is quite opaque and garnet with just a little bricking. Lots of dark ripe fruit and preserved fruit on the palate. Full body, quite rich, powdery, and tannins still quite prominent. Very satisfying. Just entering its prime- may be better in 5-10. — 5 years ago

Benjamin Keator

9.5

Unfortunately we were not able to give this a proper decant this time. Nonetheless the quality and finesse still shines through. IMO the 2003 is just now entering it prime drinking window. Tannins have softened nicely. Good fruit integration. Still needs a bit of time in the glass to open. Over the course of an hour it was only getting better and better. Wish we had had time to do a 4-5 hr decant. — 7 years ago

with Jimmy

CYesh

9.0

A bit past it’s prime but the bones are still there. Delicious. — 8 years ago

Christian Ford

9.0

Quite nice but clearly way past it's prime for this half bottle — 8 years ago

R Henderson

8.9

A little past its prime, but still drinking fairly well. — 8 years ago

Richard Adams

9.7

Outstanding purity and balance. Prime window now. — 9 years ago

Will Rogers

9.4

Prime 47 Indianapolis NFL Combine — 10 years ago

Kevin Sidders

President VinConnect

9.8

Wow this is fantastic. Napa Red the way it ought to be -- lots of fruit, nicely framed by oak, amazingly complex and yet great balance. Just a gorgeous drink and in its prime window I think. Second bottle of this in past year and both incredible... — 10 years ago

Kurt Krestinski

9.0

Smooth. Dark purple. Hints of blackberry raspberry and grapefruit. — 11 years ago

Davis Smith

Sommelier Acquerello

9.1

A customer thought this was past its prime. That's fine, more for me. — 11 years ago

Paul J

9.4

Happy Christmas Eve!! Slightly past prime but still very good! Went nicely with chicken stuff with mac & cheese. Classic Bordeaux nose followed by dark cherries and pencil shavings on the palate. Medium finish. Wine lacks some depth. — 6 years ago

with Brooke

Paul Krzych

9.1

Well worth the price. Drinking very well and perfect with prime rib. — 7 years ago

Justin Sun

9.4

A little past it’s prime - but that nose tho. Wowzers. — 7 years ago

Louis Taylor

9.0

We liked this wine, full bodied with a fruity bouquet. — 8 years ago

Seiji Takeuchi

9.1

Japan! Love this beer! — 8 years ago

Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.2

Though past prime, this wine is still showing nicely. Good balance and color. Very enjoyable — 9 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.4

Ideal maturity! Like Pontet-Canet and Leoville-Barton, Gruaud made a better 1994 than the more famous 1995 & 1996. This isn't just good for an off year- with prime rib it is great cassis loaded, medium bodied, vibrant claret. — 9 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.1

Bonus Wine #2 after Arietta wine dinner. a bit of barnyard on the nose. Consensus was this was past prime, but still a nice treat. Thanks @Dustin Cano ! — 10 years ago

Damon Slachter

9.2

@Greg Wirth now this is some good stuff — 11 years ago

Rick Baumgarten

9.9

Prime time. Soft as velvet — 11 years ago

Philip Dobrin

9.1

A little muddled. Great nose but exhibits neither the complexity of a mature wine nor the structure of one its prime. — 6 years ago

Cory Bolton

9.6

I have an affinity to Mike Smith wines. Let this baby breathe for a couple hours and it opens up well. Prime for drinking now — bold, dense fruit flavor that you’d come to expect from a Napa cab powerhouse wine maker. Full body and long peppery finish. Still a winner in my book. — 6 years ago

Chad Thompson

8.9

Might be the bottle but just a bit past its prime. Still good - sweet core, good acid, dark fruits. — 7 years ago

Bill Bender

9.6

Silky sexiness. Black licorice, tobacco, bruised plum. An ethereal experience paired with prime porterhouse, black truffle and foie gras. Can’t get much better for me on a warm San Diego October night. — 8 years ago

Palmer Emmitt

Owner/Winemaker Judge Palmer

9.4

I think my first Monte Bello and it does not disappoint. A very charming wine with an intriguing tomato component backed up by tons of cassis - "classic" California Cab. Great structure and for me in its prime right now (from half bottle). — 8 years ago

Matt Brock

8.9

2 days open and still prime. Jammy cab with lots to offer: a little fruit on the nose, a little spice on the finish. Always a winner. — 9 years ago

with Jennifer

Jack Clare

9.5

Decanted, it was outstanding all evening...not early or late, in its prime! — 10 years ago

Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

8.9

1975. Very nice earthy nose and palate. Moderate aromatic finish. Past its prime. Drink up. — 11 years ago

David Stein

9.0

Give it some time to open before drinking. Prime time for this 2001 vintage. — 11 years ago

John Wight

Sommelier/Wine Director Luce Restaurant

10

1982
At us prime! Stunning n gorgeous ! — 11 years ago