Ron R

9.5

This tasting goes out to @Bob McDonald - show that flag some respect...
Visually, bricking has begun, but the nose is still lively and youthful. Black cherries and raspberries transition to notes of tobacco, leather and thyme. Palate is consistent, but that signature sweetness is still there, along with a hint of sandalwood. This still has broad shoulders, but it’s much more balanced and fine-tuned with bottle age.
Aussie first-growth in my book. — 5 years ago

with Anne-marie

Patrice Conxicoeur

9.0

A good illustration of how truly great Chateaux can not only make good wines in average vintages, but also wine that ages well. Respect. — 7 years ago

John Craik

9.0

Nice aroma of strawberry, slight honey hints, not to dry on the palette. An easy drinking wine works great with a cheese platter. I will buy again — 7 years ago

Meeter B

9.0

This is very light. I’m blinded in a Manfred Mann kinda way. Subdued. This could become a true love affair based on respect, admiration and tasty tannins. — 8 years ago

Michael Mathews

9.2

Explosive Howell Mountain juice. Make no mistake this wine is big and warrants respect. Dark chocolate and cherries on the nose. Even the smallest sip fils the mouth. Incredible structure and big tannins. Inky, dark and mysterious at times....as it sits and opens up this gets bigger and richer. Just brilliant. — 8 years ago

with Brad, Kelly and 3 others

John Van Trijp

9.7

Wowwww, respect! — 9 years ago

John Van Trijp

9.6

What? Laurel G? Noooo!!! Yes! Wooow! What a surprise! As always! Bargain of the night.....Respect! — 9 years ago

Rob Moose

9.2

Lotta respect for Yvonne. — 9 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Family-owned winery, founded by the Williams Family in 1981, devoted to sustainable principles and producing wines with respect for terroir. Interesting Napa Chard, No Oak!! Pale light gold with medium+ aromas of floral, stone and citrus fruits. On the palate this full-bodied wine shows flavors of peach, ripe apple and lemon peel flavors. Long finish with generous acidity ending with an earthy wet stone character. Nice! — 5 years ago

Fredybeans

9.5

Jaune vieil or
Nez chlorophylle mente fraiche raisins rôtis, cédrat confit herbe
Bouche ample suave manquant d un soupçon d acidité mais quelle onctuosité ce que côté solaire et classe la fois finale fraîche avec des note de chlorophylle écrasant les notes habituel du cépage riesling
33 ans d âge respect et chapeau bas au domaine — 6 years ago

with picolator and El

Victor Hsu

9.0

Inviting nose, sweet round single-malt flavors, interesting finish. Just a very pleasurable tipple. The only reason this is not a perfect whiskey is the very faintest note of varnish in the nose and finish. Reminded me a bit of Kavalan Sherry Cask in that respect. I had this in Japan with my lovely wife Dreama, at The Long Bar in Sapporo, Hokkaido. — 7 years ago

Paul H

9.1

This is a easy drinking wine, pretty mild with respect to tannins and acid. Finish seemed to have a chocolate cherry finish which was totally different than the nice dark blue/black fruits it starts with initially. #dominus #dominusestate #yountville #napavalley #napa — 8 years ago

with Kim

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

On the nose; boysenberries, black plums, plums, dark cherries, black raspberries, blue fruit hues, vanilla, fig, light spice, dark moist soil, cinnamon and fresh dark florals. The body is rich, full & elegant. The tannins are round and soft with a ways to go. The structure, length and balance have just arrived to that next stop, “A Good Place.” The concentration is good but loses a little as it settles in on the palate. Fruits are; blackberries, boysenberries, black plums, plum, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries with blue fruit hues. Vanilla, cinnamon, mocha, light caramel, fig, mid intensity of spice, anise, a touch of fresh herbs on the long set, dark rich earth, touch of crushed volcanic rocks, soft leather, cedar, violets, fresh red florals, excellent round acidity and well balanced, long, elegant finish. So good tonight for a wine I paid right around or just under $35 upon release at Costco. Photos of; a long-shot of the estate, founders Joe & Alice Heitz...members of the early Napa Pioneers and winery building. One of the last Napa wineries you can taste four or five wines for free at their tasting room on Hwy 29 in Saint Helena. Quite often with the Martha’s Vineyard as the last wine. #RESPECT — 8 years ago

Bill Bender

9.6

This is my 1000th wine on Delectable and I wanted to post something that meant something special to me. @Steve Anderson brought this to an incredible tasting we attended last night at a beautiful cellar in the home of @Scott Kahn who graciously hosted many of our local tasting group among wives, neighbors and other friends of his. It was an exemplary night that I had to cut much shorter than I preferred because I had to pick up my teenage daughter from a friend's house. It was a perfect storm of many important elements impacting my life both past and present. First and foremost I am a Father and even though my daughter called me much earlier than I wanted on an evening of wine involving first growths, Napa giants and Burg greats....I left because I was needed. My daughter just recently started living with me and we've been through a lot in the last year. The men I was with are almost all parents who totally get the importance of my daughter in my life....they are exceptional Dad's who have raised special kids. I respect them immensely and that is why I am honored that wine brought me together with a group that I would not likely have become friends with without it. Wine does that. It bridges gaps. It creates memories. It develops community. Delectable has done that for me as well. I have never been much of a social media guy but something about this app drew me in. Yes it was the wine...but it's the people that make this "place" truly special. I've made legit friends here and I'm better for it. I spent an amazing weekend in Chicago this summer with @Roman Sukley and @DAG...those 2 couldn't have been more generous, gracious or cool. I've also developed a synergy with @Ron R @TheSkip @Martin G Rivard @David A Lentine @Kimberly Anderson and many others I've never met but I feel like I know somehow. These people know who they are.....but back to the wine. Montelena has a special place in my heart. When I passed the bar in '93 I brought a '87 Montelena to dinner that night. Just me and my Mom. She grew up on a dirt road in a small rural town in North Carolina. Not wine country. By the time we shared the Montelena she had become a pretty ardent Chardonnay fan but did not seem to take to reds. Wine was fairly new to me but I was always trying to get her engaged with my love of red wine. Unsuccessfully. That night we shared a meal and memories at the La Valencia hotel in La Jolla and enjoyed that bottle. She was proud of me and said so. Without reservation. I was the first person on either side of my family to graduate college and now I was a lawyer. The moment touched her and it has stayed with me always. She said "you're my only child and I'm so proud of the man you've become and now you're a lawyer. I can't believe it. More than that I can't believe how much I loooooove this wine. I'm actually more impressed with that!" My Mom had a sense of humor too 😉 and right there a lifetime memory was created over a bottle that now had meaning beyond the wine. When she passed suddenly in '05 I had dinner with her husband. I brought a '90 Ausone and a '91 Montelena. We toasted my Mom. I have no recollection of the $500 Ausone but the Montelena is still one of my top 10 wines of all time. Each wine is its own experience and those you share it with enhance that experience immeasurably. Cherish each glass....and @Steve Anderson thank you for granting my request by bringing that bottle. You know now why I chose it. — 9 years ago

Patrick O Driscoll

9.7

A wine that is complex with nose and aroma a must try for all. It is produced with respect and attention to detail. A recommendation from someone with distinction and an enjoyment for the finer things in life thank you. This will be in the wine cabinet for sure. — 5 years ago

Marc vanholst

10

Probably to date my best ever Burgundy red. What a wine ! It is clear that 2015 is very approachable now but this bottle is mindblowing. Incredible nose, phantastic complexity and length. This wine keeps going. I now understand why Emmanuel Rouget’s wines are so sought after. Big respect !!! — 6 years ago

Mark Flesher

9.2

This one needs about 2 years in bottle the most. Notes of raspberry and milk chocolate. Entry shows a medium bodied wine that is acidic but quite delicate on the fruit balance. Raspberry liqueur and a hint of chocolate / cocoa dustiness. This wine seems to finish with a lot of restraint and stiff tannin. I think this one is just very young and needs some time to settle. I believe this one was held back a bit as well as the 15 and I can respect that. Still, it was the perfect acoutrement to turkey burgers and complemented well. — 6 years ago

Jim McCusker

9.7

I have no idea what the “pro” rating of 9.3 is talking about - due respect to those folks - but this is awesome. The best cab I’ve ever had is the 1994 Harlan Estate (with Jeff Long and Dave MacMillan at NOLA), but this wine is easily in my Top 10 of cabernets I’ve ever had. Decanted about 1.5 hours in advance, this wine is just awesome. Evolving a bit faster than I thought, the aromatics are incredible. An amazing wine. — 8 years ago

with Vanessa

Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

8.9

Sample.
Medium pale greenish yellow. Tons of oak influence, cinnamon buns, baked apples and creme brulee on the nose. Very interesting compared to the palate. Moderate acidity (6/10) and tangy. Delicious orange zest, and a creamy texture. Medium plus bodied and lingering finish with a touch of graphite. Drink till 2021. — 8 years ago

with Sean and India

Ron R

9.7

Yet another wine that has presented perfectly on day two. I have more respect for Cali producers who produce juice that is able to stands upright on day two. It's still ultra-rich, and deeply textured. Kudos to the winemaker. There are also some very interesting text referencing early English monarchs on the front label. Will ask my art historian daughter to assist with decoding the faint signals. — 9 years ago

with Anne-marie