Daron Watson

9.4

brambly dark berries, potpourri, soft licorice, eucalyptus & graphite ~ crunchy red berry fruit, blood orange, dried herbs & tobacco ~ very approachable yet should mature a few and age a bit — 9 months ago

David White

9.3

It’s 10 years since Serge. Hochar’s death whilst swimming in Acapulco on NYE 2014 and I think it’s appropriate to celebrate his legacy that is the modern Chateau Musar.
I first tasted Lebanese wines in London circa 1986 when I used to go to a couple of Lebanese restaurants in Shepherds Market near Mayfair in London
Al Hamra is still in business
I’ve been to Beirut several times and always stock up at the airport duty free
So a toast to a departed icon of the wine world
Since my last 2011 4.5 years ago (see note) this has aged wonderfully and I’ve up my rating several points
Another few years and it will be further improved
Optimal decant time was around 3.5 to 4 hours
Ethereal stuff — 10 months ago

Gregg G

9.5

Recent notes suggested this wine was declining and the fruit fading.This was cause for concern as have a few of these I’ve been patiently cellaring. Well, I’m very happy to report this bottle, a Martine’s import, was stellar. To my palate, the wine is in a perfect place. Tertiary aromas and flavors dominate. Very complex aromas of sous bois, herbs de provence, wet saddle and red fruits. The palate is vivid and lively. Extraordinary depth and length that never faded. I can’t say enough great things about this wine. There’s no chance this bottle was fading or won’t last several more years. I don’t think it can improve as it’s almost perfection right now. Simply a stunner. — 3 years ago

with Conrad

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

A fav, Pale yellow with pleasing aromas of citrus and peaches. One of the few barrel fermented Sauvignon Blanc's which adds a wonderful toasty oak flavor setting this wine apart from the rest. Complex palate of flavors, fresh fruit, lemons, grapefruit, peaches and Asian pears. Slight earthiness with a smooth and creamy well balanced finish ending with a gentle sweet character. Very nice! — 5 years ago

Clive McNish

9.2

I think the 389 gets easier to enjoy earlier on each release. This 2016 is already very smooth and drinkable. Priced reasonably enough to get a few bottles and follow its progress. — 7 years ago

Jordan Kaufman

9.0

Good anise, forest floor, spices to round out the dark fruit. Love the rose petal notes. Tannins are elegant but would love to taste this again in a few years. — 8 years ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.5

Gorgeous wine with a silky mouth feel. A few more years and this will be amazing! — 9 months ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. No formal notes due to the setting. The 2018 is a fairly classic expression of Beaucastel with a mixed bramble fruit set, underbrush, herbs and spices in lovely balance. Good structure. While still on the youthful side, the 2018 is already showing well and was an awesome accompaniment with a wagyu burger. Drink now through 2038. — 10 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

Deep Ruby with aromas of dark fruits, floral spice and cedar notes, blend of 83% Cabernet Sauvignon. On the palate flavors of blackberry, plum and black cherry with cacao, tobacco, licorice and spice. Fine grainy tight tannins, well balanced on long finish, ending with fruit, cedar and earthy mineral character. Very nice, will age well but wait a few more years to really enjoy! — 2 years ago

Christian Fischer

9.4

After a coffee chat at work yesterday that ended discussing Hillside Select I was motivated to open one for the holiday weekend. Initially I was very disappointed as the wine was flat and uninspiring considering the pedigree and price tag. Read some reviews that this 2013 needs A LOT of air and sure enough after hours the wine began to evolve and markedly improve. It is an intense wine that lingers in the mouth for a long time. Smooth tannins, red fruit and tobacco flavors. Not my most favorite wine and not at the $229 I paid, but nonetheless a very good wine once it had the chance to get some air for a few hours — 4 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This still needs a few more years but drinking well showing a burly, muscular style with black fruits, cedar, leather, graphite & mineral. — 6 years ago

Matt Perlman

8.9

BDX with Korean BBQ? Why not. All leather, tobacco and dust at first, the peppery black and red fruit slowly emerged as we bided our time with a few rounds of soju and Hite lager. Give it a bit of air and then have at it. — 7 years ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

It always amazes me how approachable the current vintage of Caymus Cab is year after year. One of a few Cabs that you can drink now as well as put some age on it. Dark Ruby with rich ripe berry aromas. Flavors of cherry and raspberry with cinnamon and cacao notes. Very soft tannins on lingering finish ending with some earthy spice tones. A Fav! — 8 years ago

Jay Kline

9.7

Of all the American red wines that participated in the Judgement of Paris, it could be argued that Monte Bello has shown the greatest propensity to age. In fact, I would go as far as it requires lengthy cellaring to extract its best. I’ve had the good fortune to drink a number of tremendous vintages of Monte Bello over the last several years and this one has got to be at or near the top of the lot.

Opened and poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1991 Monte Bello pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core moving out towards a light ruby rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) with gorgeous notes of ripe and tart black currants, mixed bramble fruit, tobacco, some purple flowers, dill, mint, leather, earth, vanilla and associated baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The structure remains tremendous which again, seems to indicate youth. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and immensely satisfying. This is one of those wines that will outlive most humans. Drinking well now with a short decant but this has the gas to see 2061 with ease. — 9 months ago

Fin Jams

9.1

Great structure, complex and delicious. Could still use a few more years of ageing but not complaining - it is a Cos afterall. — a year ago

Paul H

9.4

When they say bring your A game you can think of this bottle. This is an amazing glass of wine. It benefits from decanting for a good bit. Upon opening I thought of dusty plum and cedar on the nose. Tasting brought plum, currant, blackberries, vintage leather plus an array of other items indicative of this style of big wine. There is a good mix of tannins and acid that makes this a classic great glass of wine. I want to try it again in a few years to see how much better it may get. — 4 years ago

Paco Suro

9.0

Lean but well structured. Young. Opened up nicely over a few hours. Cedar notes. Hint of green pepper. — 6 years ago

with Geoff

Ian Staub

8.9

Profoundly earthy, with a great helping of pyrazine. Restrained fruit- blackberry and raspberry, and a garden-full of freshly turned soil, herbs and spices. Great balance of acid and tannin. Rustic and compelling - curious to see where this goes in a few more years. — 7 years ago

Brian R

9.3

Starting to find that good California pinots are better after a few years or a few days after opening or both. — 7 years ago

Cody Short

9.3

Give it a few more years but starting to drink well — 8 years ago