Ron Siegel

9.3

Perfect condition btl from an owc that is in its prime with many yrs left showing red, black fruits, currant, cedar, leather, earth, licorice, menthol, spice box & tobacco. — 2 years ago

Paul J

9.5

Very nice! 1hr+ decant. Dark red color. Prime drinking time. Nose has dark cherries, coconut, and cedar. Wine is deep and extremely smooth. Medium finish. Classic Napa Cab! — 4 years ago

with Brooke

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. — 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

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

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

Jon Ruddell

9.7

Prime steak place in Marco. Had this and Prisoner. Solid — 3 years ago

Enrico Pallazzo

8.9

Way past it’s prime, edging towards undrinkable. Drank on 4/18/22 — 4 years ago

David Nicewicz

9.3

Birth year Bordeaux and this has been excellent. Very old school nose of copious tobacco, forest floor and dark berries. Medium bodied but gaining intensity over the course of 2 h - tannins completely melted. Bricking is apparent on first pour but the color grows darker with time. Perfect bottle that is a little past it’s prime but fun to step back in time. — 5 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

Rob McCormish

9.4

This was in magnum and served with prime rib at Christmas Eve dinner. In a word, it was outstanding! Deep, meaty flavors gave way to a long, elegant finish. — 7 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

Severn G

8.9

2003 | Birthday weekend for my lovely wife.

Green on the nose, is there substantial Cabernet Franc or Petit Verdot for the last 25%? Cedar-y cherry notes to the palate, but short finish. Will more air rescue this bottle...?🤞 Double decanted with notes at 5H. (Drink 2005-2007?)

Paired to USDA Prime Strip Steaks (baseball-cut), Allen Bros. Chicago. — 4 years ago

David Stein

9.5

Getting into prime time! — 5 years ago

with Bruce

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

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