Mike Saviage

9.5

Dark reddish tawny. Herbal nose. Heavy tobacco leaf, black cherries, cedar, smoke, plums, and cut Cuban cigar. Angular in the mouth. Needed five hours to find its groove. Big and powerful wine, paired perfectly with smoked prime rib. — 6 years ago

Joel Neal

9.3

Fruit is still surprisingly present for 13 years in the bottle. Oak, med tannins, a bit of earthy spice. Good vintage. Most Iso are a bit past prime at 13 years, this could go a while longer. — 8 years ago

Christian Ford

9.0

Quite nice but clearly way past it's prime for this half bottle — 9 years ago

Jason Sliwa

9.5

It feels like it was in prime shape. Restrained but pleasant fruit with round tannins and great acidity. — 9 years ago

with Vicki and Max

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Oz. for oz. one of the best Rosé champagnes for the 💰. The fruits just a touch tart. Black cherries, black raspberries, raspberries, strawberries, tangerine and baguette. The fine yet grippy chalkiness & minerality cuts razor sharp across the palate. The acidity is brilliant and the perfectly rich finish is so delicious. My go to Rosé champagne! Loving it. — 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. — 10 years ago

Lara Dunphy Guest

Director Sales & Marketing Black Cordon Vineyards, Sixteen by Twenty Wines

9.2

Another wine courtesy of my Dad as a birthday gift when I was a child. It's not far from going over the hill, but it was hanging on. Dried strawberry and dried cherry, subtle leather, acidity was almost too high, but not unpleasant. Overall enjoyable but I certainly did not enjoy it in its prime, unfortunately. — 11 years ago

with Nicholas

Damon Slachter

9.2

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

Kurt Krestinski

9.0

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

Eric McDougall

9.3

Cork was crumbly. Slightly past it's prime, but not corked. Soft and lovely and supremely balanced! — 13 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. — 7 years ago

with Brooke

Chad Thompson

8.9

Might be the bottle but just a bit past its prime. Still good - sweet core, good acid, dark fruits. — 8 years ago

Louis Taylor

9.0

We liked this wine, full bodied with a fruity bouquet. — 9 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). — 9 years ago

Dave Weick

9.5

WOTN Xmas 2016 with the 2006 vintage. Perfect pairing for prime rib. Great fruit, balance, excellent example of an Italian Bolgheri blend. Drinking well now but will clearly last for a while. — 10 years ago

Richard Adams

9.7

Outstanding purity and balance. Prime window now. — 10 years ago

Jack Clare

9.5

Decanted, it was outstanding all evening...not early or late, in its prime! — 11 years ago

Paul Costigan

Founder Courtier Wines

9.2

1967: Lively spicy nose. Redolent with eucalyptus, as should be anticipated and celebrated. Metallic component, yet solid throughout of vibrant fruit. While a mere shadow of the other worldly 1968, still a prime example of the birth of modern California winemaking. An honor to experience. — 11 years ago

with Michael

John Wight

Sommelier/Wine Director Luce Restaurant

10

1982
At us prime! Stunning n gorgeous ! — 12 years ago

Dan Brow

9.8

Past its prime ? Could be. Otherwise a smooth and well rounded blend, a bit on the dry side, notes of earth and dark ripe berries. Was paired very well with a prime aged steak and truffles. — 13 years ago

Matt

9.0

Solid, muddled fruit wrapped in American oak. No formal notes but seems to be cruising past its prime drinking window (for me) — 7 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

Seiji Takeuchi

9.1

Japan! Love this beer! — 9 years ago

Leslie Bartos

9.6

started to open at 4+ hour. wait on last 2 bottles as very promising! paired lovely with a prime rib. long finish, integrating nicely with a lot of fruit left. incredible fruit purity in a Napa Cabernet- dark cherry, cedar, lead pencil, coffee. secondary elements just starting. 2001 vintage on 3/11/17. — 9 years ago

with Tony

Dave Weick

9.2

Xmas prime rib dinner. Started with the 01 Insignia. Excellent example of Napa fruit. Dark berries, anise, softened tannins with the age, a big wine. — 10 years ago

Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

9.3

Lovely old fashioned claret with plenty of earth and perfectly developed texture. Off the charts with dry aged prime ribeye from Dittmers and risotto! — 10 years ago

Mike Carlozzi

10

This was there 2004 cab, it needs to breathe for at least 60 minutes, and could possibly be past it's prime. I would definitely recommend drinking this year before the end of 2015. — 11 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

Duane Mason

9.7

As good as California Cab can be. Absolutely great after three hours of air with a grilled prime rib eye. Run to find some ? — 12 years ago