Jack Petras

9.8

Fortunate enough to have tasted this along with 6 other stunning wines last night during a cellar tasting. This 36 year old 2nd growth was nearly perfect, unusual but very pleasant mint, camphor, crushed sage and rosemary aromas with the same cooling delicate herbal initial palate. Dried but expressive red fruits mid- palate with a great structural graphite element throughout. Whiff of new leather. Changed in the glass showing different mellow facets. Pretty much intercepted at the exact right time. A real privilege to taste such a renowned vintage with folks who appreciates what was in front of them. — 7 years ago

Tom Wildenhaus

9.5

First time tasting and what a treat. We balanced, subtle with flavors that keep evolving. — 8 years ago

Sean K McNeely

Viticulture and Viniculture Assistant at Viña Vik Vineyard, Winery and Hotel

9.9

Profound. Still powerful, yet with elegance and grace that belies its ancient wisdom. Supremely balanced between dried plums and blackberries smeared across a weathered leather saddle with a cigar box in the corner of the room and Coltrane wafting through the clouds of sandalwood. — 9 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Color was a dense deep red with aromas of ripe dark fruits and forward spice. The flavors were fresh and concentrated with blackberries and cherries, complex palate, showing a nice mouthfeel. The tannins were a approachable but needs decanting. The ending had spice, ceda, leather and minerality on the lingering finish. An elegant wine that needs time to develop, try in another 3-5 years, although should last for a decade. Tasting Sample. — 9 years ago

Chris Bensick

9.2

Its always a surprise to open one of these old Montebellos and encounter what seems to be a much younger tasting wine. This one was about mid-shoulder and the cork although intact was pretty spongy. Nevertheless -- no browning, no hint of oxidation, just a very robust and savory mouthful from first to last. Very heavy sediment but the color in the upper glass was still intense. Getting a bit dry but by no means over the hill. 12.8% abv. — 10 years ago

Albert Camilleri

9.1

The other wine of note from Spanish Tasting line up. Drinking very well atm but will get better too I think. Medium bodied with dusty tannins, cherries, oak and liquorice. — 11 years ago

Mitchell Bennett

9.5

The Prisoner from Napa Valley is excellent--second time tasting, but first time with the bottle. Delicious both times. — 12 years ago

Yianni Stone

9.3

UGC Tasting - San Francisco. Lovely Pichon Comtesse — 8 years ago

leon egozi

9.4

NY wine spectator grand tasting — 8 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

On the nose, dark sour cherries, dates, burnt figs, grilled meats, burnt ambers, liquid smoke & dark dry florals. The core color is dark with garnet edges. The palate is; slightly sour but mostly sweet dark cherries, stewed plum, cooked strawberries, rhubarb, dates, figs, tomatoes, smoke, grilled meats, brewed coffee, light tarry notes, dry crushed rock powder, volcanic minerals, dark rich earth, dusty tannins, dry dark florals, soft chewy leather, nice round acidity with a decent, soft, elegant finish...50-50 fruit & earth. This is the largest co-op producer in Europe with 50 members. They collectively have 250 acres; which is about 1/6 of the total under vine. Photos of; the town of Barbaresco (their tasting room near the tower), Produttori cellar and their tasting bar. No appointment necessary. Close to Gaja and the town has one of the best one star Michelin lunches as well as the best service we've experienced. Just right of Gaja. Good with our Veal Bolognese. — 9 years ago

Nate Redner

9.5

Crushable. Great summertime wine. — 10 years ago

with Michael

Adam Jesberger

9.8

Fantastic, more towards a peak age than i thought it would be. This is drinking spectacularly right now, tasting like a vinous bordeaux. Extremely lengthy finish. — 10 years ago

Russell Killgo

9.8

Got to try the '95 and '98 side by side. Incredible tasting. — 11 years ago

Zack Hall

9.5

Horizontal tasting veritas nyc — 8 years ago

Graham

9.3

At K&L tasting. Good classic Napa Cab, but bad QPR. Forgot to get picture but it was ‘14. — 8 years ago

Lewis Chester

9.6

2010 vintage. Tasting at Magill Estate with Peter Gago. The star of the show. Blockbuster that has everything. Complex and balanced nose of a great Grange. Black fruited, some leather and spice. Savoury. On the palate, great concentration while not being too big. Medium plus body and alcohol. Medium acidity. Long finish. Exceptional. I enjoyed it now. But best to wait for another decade and enjoy for a further 20 years plus. — 9 years ago

Courtney B

9.7

CA winery tastings — 9 years ago

Claire Voorhees

9.9

Tasted 2005 - photo is of different tasting. Tasting notes 2005: Absolutely to die for. Perfect tannic structure, ripe and round
Could age 20 more years but still wonderful
North of medoc and you'd expect deep and dark, but actually the most feminine and elegant and beautiful of poulliac wines
Black currants
Balanced finish
Not overpowering at all — 9 years ago

Marty Winters

9.2

Pleasantly surprised everyone seemed to really feel like these wines were never going to age, but here we are and they are tasting great. Wonder what another 10-15 will show. — 10 years ago

The Savory

10

Oh my gawd dawg! I tried this at the California Wine Festival and loved it so much that I took it away from the crowd and had a quiet moment and a wee whisper with it. It's really wonderful when you drink some average to decent wines and suddenly throw an absolute stoater in there for perspective.

I can't really do it justice with my ham-fisted tasting notes, but believe me when I say that this is a delightful wine that reminds you how wonderful Napa can be. - Ross Gardiner — 11 years ago