Geoff Troup

Sales Eder Brothers, Cellar Fine Wines

9.3

For me, it’s always hard to tell exactly where a Wine will go. I’ve had old Monte Bello, and new Monte Bello, and the old is an intense, elegant, extraordinarily complex experience. This new vintage is utterly fantastic. It’s so complex with this steely minerality, spice, flowers, elegant refined tannins, burnt cedar and new American oak. But it’s such a baby. I’ve read this has a lifespan of 30-50 years, and I can believe it. — 8 years ago

Jonathan Wall

9.1

Distinct memory kick of the Muir Woods pine needle clad path by the mossy area. Sweet forest vanilla. Though even with that a bit light. Color has too much "water" on the edges. Still gorgeous. — 10 years ago

Tom Kobylarz

9.4

And now I understand the reason why many call this the greatest expression of #Riesling in the world. A warm, but not so sunny vintage still produced a wine with a nose of smoked minerals, taught, but open citrus, and an insane persistence. #apex #clossthune — 10 years ago

with Lyle

Christine Havens

9.6

This 375 ML is drinking beautifully now. Offers up a bouquet of spring herbs and meadow flowers. Red fruit on the palate, but fruit isn't the primary characteristic. There's dusty earth, savory herbs, and fine tannins that are very much like green or black tea. Finishes with a lovely spice note, sweet tobacco and bay leaf. There is, too...lively acidity that will make this classic Bandol an excellent food wine. — 12 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

This is a sample of the 16 Insignia still in barrel.

On the nose, the dark fresh florals exploded. The fruits are very dark currants and well extracted. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries and blue fruits hues on the edges of the glass. Sweet tarry presence, loads of baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark spice, black tea, pipe tobacco, dark rich soil, core of anise and fields of violets.

The body is thick and full. The wine still very fresh. The tannins big, meaty and chewy. The dark fruits are quite floral. Blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries with blue fruits. Sweet tarry presence, loads of baking spices; vanilla, cinnamon, clove & nutmeg. Dark spice, black tea, pipe tobacco, dark rich soil, crushed dry rocks, river stones, tough leather, cedar, core of anise with red flowers and fields of violets. Very good round acidity. The long, big, ruby, lush, well balanced finish is beautiful.

The fruit, tannins and acidity all speak to it being 95+ and a long cellar.
— 8 years ago

Andrew Willingham

9.0

I found this rosé to be very enjoyable and smooth. Beautiful light, salmon color, medium viscosity. Strawberries, white flowers, citrus on the nose. Very light in the mouth, dry, medium+ acid, medium+ finish with notes of sharp minerality, lemon. Wished there was more red fruits on palette but this was perfect for the sunny Seattle day! — 10 years ago

Scott Hill

10

Boldly aromatic with layers of stone fruit, lavender honey, crushed flowers and mineral. Unctuous on the palate, very complex and extremely rich, with expressive honeysuckle, peach, white grapes, baked pear and a hint of marzipan. Gorgeous on the finish! #wine #beaucastelblanc #roussanne #heaven — 11 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.4

As nursery owners in Bucks County, PA, Walt & Joan Flowers dreamed of combining their love of wine with their passion for agriculture and in 1989, they purchased 321 acres, in a ridge top above the Pacific on the Sonoma Coast. Bright straw yellow with aromas of tropical and citrus fruits, slight nutty tones. On the palate peach, melon and lemon zest pack a punch with sweet vanilla spice and some toasty nuts. Well balanced, a joy to drink. Long finish ending with some mineral characteristics. — 10 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.4

Cloudy ruby, this wine smells of earth and cedar and dried red fruits. In the mouth, dried flowers and forest floor mix with river-mud-tannins and a bright juicy acidity. Tasted out of magnum. — 10 years ago

Thomas Droumenq

9.6

Never disappointing, I'll call it Bordeaux grand cru with a kicker (but let's be honest without the smoothness). You want a wine with long palate, magnificent fruit, strength in the tannins but no aggressivity. A bomb in the mouth but one of flowers. — 11 years ago