Tyler Schlater

9.0

Glass at wine bistro upstairs at urban space manhattan. Sweetest reisling she had, though I thought it had nice balance. Paid 14 for glass for a bottle that cost 16 — 7 years ago

Hector GMW

9.0

Powerful Priorat at a very low cost. Deep purple color. Strong blackberry jam and licorice on the nose. Hints of vanilla. Very tannic on the palate yet balanced. Amazing entry level Priorat! — 8 years ago

Al Shikoh

9.3

Popped and poured at restaurant. Fully opaque ruby color. Dark berry fruit, licorice, lavender, menthol, and some subtle earth are all evident on the nose after it opens up a bit. On the palate, it’s quite structured and tightly wound with an elegant, graceful style somewhat closer to Bordeaux than Napa coming in at 13.8% alcohol. Although long time winemaker Paul Draper has crafted this blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, and 2% Cabernet Franc for the long haul, it’s rewarding drinking now as well. Monte Bello’s 2nd wine puts most Napa cult cab’s 2nd wines to shame at a fraction of the cost. — 9 years ago

with Drew and Kelly

Atsushi Kamitani

9.0

super cost for performance.
fruity but not so straight forward. soft tannin and berry. — 9 years ago

Anita Grizzard

9.9

One of my favorite go-to wines from Trader Joe's. Surprisingly delicious for a low cost. — 10 years ago

Craig Lewis

9.0

Deliciousness to cost ratio is off the charts, love it! — 11 years ago

Shane M. Nicholson

9.7

Let's stop messin' around.......this cab is legit. And for the money?! It would cost 3 times a much in Napa dollars. Buy. A. Bottle. Today! — 11 years ago

Drew DiMatteo

9.3

This wine delivers well above the cost, tart blackberry and graphite. @WineLibrary — 12 years ago

with Beata

J Chiasson

9.9

Given as a gift. This is an incredible bottle of wine, priced around $30-40. It is a wine that is worth the cost for a special night. Nothing like a typical Pinot noir, full of body, deep colour, and rich flavour. It's a top pick for a good wine! — 13 years ago

Amaury Mtz

9.7

Very good wine! Young, but very sophisticated :) cost/quality 9.5 of 10 — 13 years ago

Stef Nicole

9.1

Solid moderate cost wine. Not super sweet or super dry. — 7 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Continuing to kick off the un-labor weekend early in the D&S Lounge.

For those of you who haven’t seen me post Kalinda, it’s a private label from K&L Wine Merchants. They buy a quality producers juice or have them make a wine for them. I don’t know who made this wine but, they are a quality Oakville producer. This bottle cost me $18.99 about eight years ago and it tastes better than some Napa Cabernets at $75 plus that I’ve had. You just have to wait on them 5-10 years. This is somewhere near its peak.

It’s a slice of blue fruit heaven. On the nose, blueberries, mulberries, olallieberries, plum, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries, strawberries, vanilla, sweet mixed berry cola, light cinnamon, soft dark spice, limestone minerals, dry crushed rock powder, dry top soil, black cherry licorice, a waft of dry herbs with bright dark red florals and violets.

The palate is round and full. Tannins are 80% resolved. The texture is sexy. The structure, length, tension and balance are in perfect harmony, (Seals & Croft/America on the album “Horse With No Name” style). Lush, ripe; blueberries, mulberries, olallieberries, plum, blackberries, black raspberries, dark cherries & strawberries. Vanilla, sweet mixed berry cola, light cinnamon, clove, touch of nutmeg, soft dark spice that penetrates the palate with some heat, tarry notes, dry stems, soft leather, tobacco with ash, graphite, limestone minerals, dry crushed rock powder, dry top soil, black cherry licorice, a waft of dry herbs with bright dark red florals and violets. The acidity is like a waterfall. The long finishes (minutes) is, round, lush, balanced, elegant harmony. It’s beautifully delicious.

Photos of; the D&S lounge lit up by candle power only and always. — 8 years ago

Yoko Yamada

9.3

$15.99 @wine365. Very good cost performance. Taste remains good if you use Vacu Vin Wine Saver. I may get it again. — 9 years ago

Matt Barkis

9.3

Very good, great wine for a low cost. — 10 years ago

Brian Ford

8.9

Kim loves this one on a cost adjusted basis. — 11 years ago

Charles Schneider

9.3

Rioja bitch, here. Bordeaux at a fraction of the cost. — 11 years ago

Alana Dumasius

9.0

Low cost and solid cab — 12 years ago

Miguel A. Nistal

9.2

Dinner with Wells Fargo, getting benefit cost down — 12 years ago

Melissa Boon

9.6

Very good nose, red bell pepper, caramel, nutty, mouth: velvety, chalky, smooth, medium length, very good. Cost $8.04 retail $14.00 willing to work on price — 13 years ago

E & K G

9.1

Blind, I would have been very confused as whether to call it old or new world. It’s light yet well structured, some oak yet great freshness and acidity. At a good place in terms of cost performance and matches the strengths of old/new world. — 7 years ago

Claire Lewis

9.0

Refined and elegant. Good body, especially after breathing half an hour. Has a tangy finish. Good value for a bottle that cost $18. — 8 years ago

Jo Anne B

9.3

When in Spain I must drink from my favorite Spanish wine at half the cost (or more). It tastes even better here.❤️. Totally regretting not paying the extra $200 to bring my wine suitcase.😩 — 9 years ago

Lucas Medola

8.9

Interesting wine with a great cost x benefit. Smooth, fresh and fruity. — 9 years ago

Tom Small

9.2

Excellent cab - especially for the price. First thing I noticed was the color, a very deep purple that suggests its depth. Don't be fooled by the less than $10 cost - this one is worth keeping in stock. — 9 years ago

Mack Furlong

9.0

Scrumptious, but as my uncle used to say, "it should be, it cost enough." $30+, so for special occasions. Everything that other Portuguese wines hint. — 10 years ago

Aaron Rankin

9.1

Yeah, jumped the gun a little on this vintage. The green elements and tannins need a little time to mellow. But damn is it still fine for the cost. And with 2 hours of aggressive decanting, it was a great partner to a filet mignon. — 11 years ago

Bree Gittins

9.0

Great mixed berry wine for the cost — 11 years ago

Leong Lee

9.5

Delicious claret that taste like it should cost a lot more. Vanilla, cedar and soft fruit! Yummy. — 12 years ago

Bret Borgerson

9.1

Good but not worth the cost — 13 years ago

Tri Tang

9.9

Ever so slight bite but worth the cost IMO. — 14 years ago