Jeff Hasmann

9.6

Sixth and final wine of the week from the cellar. Tasted next to the 2005 Cos d’Estournel. Like the Cos, the Montrose presents as a classic, traditional St Estephe that is just entering its drinking window. The blend is 65 Cabernet / 31 Merlot and the color is so dark as to look almost black. The nose is still shy, but with a bit of air, opens to reveal ripe red berries, bay leaf, cedar, and graphite. The palate is smooth and full-bodied with a spine of strong tannins evident. Layers of ripe red fruit, almost black, cloves, cocoa, and earthiness evolve over time. The secondary flavors are just beginning to emerge. What is impressive about this wine is the power, purity of fruit, and tannic structure. The fruit is more evident than in the Cos and the tannins are bigger and stronger. This wine is probably about 3 years behind the Cos in its development. The tannins and power of this wine are impressive. Believe me - both the Cos and the Montrose are world class wines from a great vintage. I would not be surprised if the Montrose is still drinking well in 50 years. 2005 vintage on April 20, 2020 — 5 years ago

Samuel Sabori

9.1

Like drinking honey. Goes quickly.

Nose is initially waxy/muscat-like but that blows off. White flowers abound. There’s also a subtle passion fruit thing. Overall a very shy wine but one that pulls you in. — 6 years ago

Charles Garrison

9.2

Beautiful coloration, initially shy aromatics that opened up by 2nd pour with dark, expressive fruits, lovely, though not heavy dark fruits in the palate with pleasing finish — 7 years ago

David L

9.4

17’ Drinking wonderfully soon after release. — 7 years ago

Jeff Gower

9.4

Wonderful taste, especially cold and with food!
— 7 years ago

Cody Short

9.6

Still drinking like a baby. Very shy in the nose initially until we decanted a bit and opened up. Lovely bouquet of black fruits, chocolate, tobacco, leather and earth. Amazing wine but will be even better in 5-10 yrs — 9 years ago

with Suzanne and Holli

Chris Bensick

9.2

Having failed miserably at our 2015 new years resolution to drink up our aging cellar faster, we're glad we still have some of these around. Shy at first but then becoming fuller in the glass, this was an excellent hamburger wine tonight. With Alex in Oakland 12-17-2015.. — 9 years ago

Jonathan Wood

9.7

Shy at first, this took off like a rocket. Soaring aromatics, beautiful palate. — 10 years ago

Jim Wagonfeld

9.3

Shy citrus nose. Citrus and apple favors. Lots of stones/flint. Excellent acidity. Long finish. Still young. Great wine, now priced beyond reason in my market. Glad to have several bottles still stored. THIS IS DIDIER NOT SERGE. — 10 years ago

with Judy

Eric Cullerier

9.2

deep and shy... — 12 years ago

Byron C Mayes

8.9

Bright and deep red. Shy nose and more present palate of pomegranate, citrus rind, dry red flowers, and anise fruit leather. Bracing acidity shores up the medium to full (for a rosé) body. Young Tavel giving a glimpse of what could come five to ten years on. A great wine with light “red wine” or heavier “white wine” dishes as well as an intriguing late summer/early fall sipper. Drink now or hold through 2028. — 5 years ago

Mike Beltran

9.3

Good quality Latour that’s holding up well. Nose was shy and took time to open. Color is still quite good. Not as assertive as I have had in the past- but still quality claret. At Bourbon Steak Santa Clara. Sommelier Rob was outstanding on all levels. — 6 years ago

Paul Mullin

10

Mould’s Vineyards Dakota Shy 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon. Deep inky red in the glass, full nose, very smooth after opening up. A big, bold red with a spicy finish. — 6 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

The 88 Insignia out of Magnum.

On the nose, shy blackberries, dark cherries, cherries, creamy strawberries, black plum, notes of blue fruits, sweet vanillin soft volcanic minerals, red & blue florals with violets.

The body is leaner medium. Tannins are completely resolved. Pure pruny fruit elegance with bright red floral bouquet. Blackberries, dark cherries, cherries, creamy strawberries, black plum, rhubarb with notes of blue fruits, sweet vanillin fine powdery, old shoe leather, dry brush, volcanic minerals, red & blue florals with violets. Nice acidity and finish but, this wine was better served 3-5 years ago. — 7 years ago

Kevin Cahoon

9.1

From magnum, this was a bit muted and restrained with a shy nose of red cherry, blackberry, allspice and mint notes. Lively entry with Sangiovese’s austere tannins. Red cherry, cranberry and cassis fruit in the mouth. Lacked the density I expected. Paired really well with the wild boar ragu and pappardelle. — 7 years ago

Sasha Agapov

8.9

Not overly friendly and rather shy, but drinking well with some time in the glass. — 8 years ago

Sean Shafik

8.9

A little shy compared to other young roulots that I have tried — 9 years ago

Cody Short

9.3

As good as this is now I think it still needs a few more years for the oak to mellow. Not a shy wine, very modern and flashy. — 10 years ago

Sumit Bhutani

9.1

Amazingly bright and alive for 40+ yrs old (1970 vintage). Not shy on volatile acidity. — 10 years ago

Aaron Bryan

9.5

Dried fruit. Raisins and plums dancing in oak. Med body and alcohol. High acid and lingering finish. Nothing shy of amazeballs. — 11 years ago

Jeff D.

9.6

Super silky smooth and yummy! Perfect to drink now, opened for an hour and ready to rock. Thanks Todd! — 5 years ago

Adam Knoerzer

9.2

I think this is their most successful Pinot in the past few vintages. A little shy right now, sure, but I think it’s going to be firing on all cylinders in 2-3 years. Restrained, perfumed, and with enough structure to develop nicely. — 6 years ago

Chris England

8.9

You wouldn’t know Barbaresco is one of my favourite wines as I hardly review them weirdly 😁 so seeing this 21 year old baby @ £83 recently I thought I gotta get me a piece of that 😉 It’s a few years past it’s peak now but still a decent drop although not worth its current 💵

📍 Giuseppe Cortese Rabaja 1998

🏵 89-90 points

🍇 Nebbiolo

🍷 Clear cherry ruby w/ bricked edge

👃 Tortured mashed cherry through tar, tobacco, soot embers, soggy earth, drenched oak & herbs w/ dirty dried red flower potpourri, menthol/mint & shy red berries

👄 Med slight tart body of earthy red cherry w/ a slight dry cocoa & red berry backbone

🎯 Med+ dry woody earthy red cherry/berry cocoa warming finale
— 6 years ago

Chris England

9.2

Great value Larose @ £60 that’s ok now but time will definitely help to soften the dry tannins into a 😈 - leave 5+ years 😉

🍇 66% Cab S, 28% Mer & 6% Pet V

🍷 Opaque ruby

👃 Lead pencil, gravel & minerals through charred cedar & light oak in shy dark spiced black berry/currant fruit w/ herbs, smoke, earth & fresh roses

👄 Med+ body of mineral infused ripe blackcurrant & berry in mocha w/ a soft liquorice touch in fine dry tannins

🎯 Med+ dry blackcurrant & mocha finale — 7 years ago

Charles Garrison

9.2

Hands off for 2 or more years... rich, royal garnet with shy aromatics...developed a full, satisfying palate over extend sitting — 7 years ago

Joe Tucker

9.4

Where the Savoy was open and singing, the shelf is still the shy little grape (juice). Needs coaxing, but the stuffing is there. Really good juice. — 8 years ago

Richard Steinberg

9.2

My kinda chard. Not shy, but not in your face. — 9 years ago

Bryan Garcia

Sales Grand Cru Selections

8.9

Shy bottle. 😐 — 10 years ago

with Patrick and Michael

Bob Pratt

9.5

Sonoma coast Pinot. Not a shy wine, full bodied and very smooth. Tuck Beckstoffer offering. — 10 years ago

Alex Powell

9.2

A bit wound up on nose, still smoky with fresh blackcurrant and elderberry, pine bough, tangy orange and tobacco leaf. Very woodsy, but also quite shy...palate is hugely mineral and mouthcoating, touch of spice, monumental and fresh, long length. No doubt quite excellent, but not showing its arsenal today...wait 5 years at least if you have such patience! — 10 years ago