Jay Kline

9.7

Presented double-blind. The wine appears straw in color with medium viscosity and, apparently, there lots of tiny bubbles so there are signs of gas, LOL. On the nose, the wine is developing with heady notes of ripe orchard fruit, red forest berries, marzipan, lemon curd, fresh brioche. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish lasts for an eternity. The texture is ever so creamy. Wow…well, I was drinking something special. Had to be Champagne. Maybe vintage? Maybe a tête de cuvée? The style was similar to Krug. Called Champagne from a producer like Krug. OMG…the 1996 Vintage Brut?! Sheesh…someone was feeling generous! Admitted, I don’t often get to drink vintage Krug (for many hundreds of reasons!) so my experience is obviously limited. However, there’s clearly no question in this being true to house style and, now that I know the vintage, this is showing why 1996 is so special. As others have noted, this is fresher than the 1995 I had some months ago (though, that was very special too) and had greater acid. I would like to think this provides a crystal ball for the 2008 vintage that is sure to follow a similar trajectory. Drinking very fine indeed, right now and should continue to do so through 2046…depending on how you like to drink your Champagne. — a year ago

Andrew Turner

9.0

Reona liked more than me — 6 years ago

Jack Petras

9.1

1995 vintage. Still deep purple red, subtle earthy leather aromas with a burst of fresh red raspberries mid palate. Lots of herbal hints like anise and tarragon. Finished with graphite and iron. Changed with each sip. Very nice mature and fully approachable left bank beauty. — 7 years ago

Martin G Rivard

9.8

Incredible Beauty shared by our new bud Mitch Lieberman. I could not find him on delectable to tag him on this post. Perhaps @Howard Greenfield can assist?
This Right bank blend had everything going on! It was still fresh and lively on the palate, Pronounced red fruit & a huge a depth of flavor. It was drinking like a million bucks. I'm a Huge Figeac fan and this one did not disappoint!! Thank you sir., may I have another!! Lol⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ — 9 years ago

with Ted

Christian Barion

9.0

In a good place right now — 10 years ago

Tom Inners

9.5

Ummm...delicious!?!
An incredibly balanced wine and hitting its stride here now 26yrs later. Tannins and acid were on point and right in my wheel house. I could go for 750mL more. — 10 years ago

with Zac

Justin Fishman

9.4

Drinking very well right now! A good amount of fruit still there. The true enjoyment came from the finish that lingered on our tongues. Seems like Martha's Vineyard really does gets some great flavors from those surrounding eucalyptus trees.
🍷👅💦 — 11 years ago

with D

Cody Short

9.3

Drinking beautifully right now! — 12 years ago

James G

9.2

2007 Beaucastel. So good right now, as yet so much more potential. Love to retaste in 2025 — 12 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

Classic Cabernet descriptors of Cedar, Tobacco, Red and black fruits and a herbal note. Lovely on the palate, drinking at its peak with excellent balance - smooth, fluid, resolved tannins. One could easily pick this as a Left Bank Bordeaux in a blind tasting. Shows more French restraint than the full blown Napa style for me. Medium + weight palate with balance and concentration. Probably my favourite Napa Valley Cabernet though admittedly I have not tried some of the big guns like Harlan. Post script: A blend of 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc, and 7% Petit Verdot. No Merlot was used in the blend for 2004. — 5 years ago

Ashley Loafman

9.6

1996 is drinking perfectly right now, pure perfection. Alive and acidic, with smooth tannins. — 6 years ago

James Forsyth

9.6

Dark and beguiling. Slightly wild. Touch of spice. Plenty of dark fruit. Tanins now attractively supple. Very tasty. Great for right now. — 7 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

Luke Stanko

9.4

Showing great right now. — 10 years ago

Justin Brilman

9.5

Right in its sweet spot. Gonna try and get a few more of these. Drinking really well right now. — 10 years ago

Rafael Landestoy

9.1

Bordeaux in style, but apparently my wife disagrees so not sure if I had the right wine. Didn't pick up on much fruit on this one but heck maybe i grabbed one of the Bordeauxs. — 10 years ago

with Janet, Jorge and 1 other

William Gordon

9.1

Always a favorite but a little young. Prefer the '04s right now. — 11 years ago

Ian Blackburn

9.3

I have tasted many 1961 over the years, this continues to be one of my favorite wines...The strange thing is that this bottle with its high necklinewas the youngest 1961 that I had ever tried, wine had an great Providence - One owner and one incredible cellar.

1961 was a magical year on the right bank; now over 50 years of age it has lost some weight but picked up elegance on the nose - wet clay, graphite/lead pencil, umami/truffle - nose candy for sure. — 11 years ago

Scott Claffee

9.5

Fully mature and drinking perfectly right now (last night). #delectablater — 12 years ago

Rania P

9.3

Decantered for 2 hours, low tanins, not too acidic. Big, bold, smooth. — 5 years ago

Christian Fischer

9.3

Had an op to re-buy at $115 and wanted to check in on the 2006. What a nice rendition. Perhaps not the best vintage overall, but in really great shape right now with the typical tobacco aromas. Needless to say, I am buying more — 5 years ago

Jeff Loo

9.6

Stunning. Right from the start this was singing. I do wish I encounter this wine again. — 7 years ago

Anthony Lombardi

9.5

Still life ahead, but absolutely in a beautiful place right now. Black Currants and cloves coat the palate with some herbal notes hitting the nose. Brilliant stuff, a real treat. — 8 years ago

Mike Beltran

9.0

Very solid Bordeaux blend with lots of fruit flavors and balanced oak influence. Still very young and well reward cellar time over the next 5/8 years. Top rate Napa Cab at a fair price.. Nice job Bruce.... — 9 years ago

with Janelle and Joe

Philip Dobrin

9.2

3 bottles of this opened and all of them very good. Definitely in the right drinking zone. Great earthiness. Nice long finish. — 10 years ago

Rob Andersen

9.1

Vintage after vintage these guys knock it out of the park, 2011 is just sweet. Soft tanins, alc in check and balanced for the level, beautiful, crunchy red fruits with a crazy splash of plum bordering on pluot. Phenomenal value for the quality. Lots of shops out there with it right now for$26-28, get some. — 10 years ago

David Racich

10

Perfectly balanced. Right at the window. — 11 years ago

Jonathan Clark

9.2

Nutty, sherry-esque, youthful. Dosed to 11-14g. Just guessing. Flipping out right now! — 11 years ago

Magno González

9.2

'09 shed most of its baby fat and is at a good place right now. Pure Joy! — 12 years ago

Peter Sultan

8.9

Surprise surprise balanced Syrah from Cali — 12 years ago

with Owen