Clive McNish

9.2

The Purple Angel lives up to expectations. A great blend of Carmenere and Petit Verdot which actually has a vibrant purple edge in the decanter. It is early days for this one but it can already be enjoyed with some decanting time but I think it is better than the 2016. Deep ruby and purple colour, the nose is a combination of Napa Cabernet and Australian Shiraz, rich, smokey, plenty of dark fruit and some nice burnt rubber and tar. On the palate there is blackcurrant, cherry, smoke and green and black pepper. This has a nice long finish and while it is definitely young, the tannins and acid are not overpowering. Definitely plenty of ageing potential and I think this will get better and better. Rating now is 9.2 but I’m sure it will end up at 9.5 in the future. — 5 years ago

Rubychick

9.2

Discovery of the Vinosphere. We need more Loire in our lives. — 6 years ago

boyd

9.8

Lives up to the hype. Out of the gate, it's like if Riesling and Chardonnay had a love child. Over time it broadens to a richer more obviously chenin experience. At the end, it vascillates between chenin and chardlike. Amazing stuff. — 7 years ago

Kareem Massoud

Winemaker Paumanok Vineyards

9.8

Plum, prunes, creme de cassis, truffles, forest bottom, cigar box. Redolent of vintage port. Still remarkably vibrant for its age. Ruby core, tawny rim. Ullage low shoulder. Cork intact but fully wine-soaked. A great wine that lives up to the hype. A real treat! — 8 years ago

Kelly

9.3

Valentines Day 2017- smooth — 9 years ago

Craig Stanfield

9.5

Amazing wine. Lives up to the hype of 2010 Brunello and is ready to drink now. — 9 years ago

Greg Gregory

9.6

Stunning. My first Monfortino Riserva and it lives up to the hype. — 9 years ago

André Backman

9.0

Smooth sailing, lite pikant — 5 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

It is really not fair to have their 06 after their 09. It’s good but, all you can think about is the 09.

The nose reveals, slightly stewed to cooked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and bright cherries. Steeped tea, limestone, licorice, dry crushed rocks, cedar, dry tobacco, soft, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, dry stems, dry top soil, understated baking spices, light graphite, dry herbs, light, dark spice and withering red & dark florals.

The body is lean, not quite full. The structure, tension, length and and balance are just ok to good and reveal the shortcomings of the 06 vintage. slightly stewed to cooked fruits of; blackberries, dark cherries, black raspberries, strawberries, rhubarb and bright cherries. Steeped tea, limestone, licorice, dry crushed rocks, cedar, dry tobacco, soft, used leather, dry crushed rocks, dry stones, underbrush, dry stems, dry top soil, understated baking spices, some v/a or bandaid, light graphite, dry herbs, light, dark spice with some heat across the palate and withering red & dark florals. The finish is nice and elegant but, lack the fullness and beauty of most really good vintage Palmer’s. It finishes with nice persistent dark spice on the long set. Just give me another taste of the 09. 😜

Photos of; Chateau Palmer, their barrel room, a photo of their vineyard soil structure-if you didn’t know where all that earthiness comes from, a picture is worth a thousand words and their tasting room. — 6 years ago

Josh Hoen

9.0

Funky and tart! Apple cider vinegar — 7 years ago

Dan Michael

9.5

Yep all that and a bag of money. Rarely does it live up to the hype, but yes this lives up to all the hype. Intoxicating nose, Rich and full on the palate. Very long and satisfying. Worth the investment, well at least once. — 7 years ago

Jessica Fisher

9.5

Super good — 8 years ago

Christanna Honer

9.5

Wow. This lives up to its reputation. I had my doubts about all the new oak, but this is almost as if the oak is gently taming the wild, bombastic, flinty, minerally, herbaceous SB within. The finish goes on forever and I honestly didn't want it to stop. — 9 years ago

with Hai

Ericsson

9.3

A picture is worth a thousand words. — 6 years ago

Eric Urbani

9.5

Lives up to its reputation — 6 years ago

Dave swan

9.3

Top Pick, Ilona lives it — 7 years ago

Tobin Trevarthen

9.3

Just like I remembered. Takes me back to our Saint Emilion visit. Lush blend of Merlot and Cab Franc. The tradition of the original vision lives on. — 7 years ago

Vijay Parikh

9.6

Second time within the space of a week! Decanted for 2.5 hours the wine initially a bit funky blows off and lives up to its glorious reputation. Next time will try a slightly shorter decant — 8 years ago

Maxwell Burns

Hospitality Kenwood Vineyards, Winemaker GARA

9.6

I held onto this wine all night. Opened beautifully, lives up to the hype. It's like smashed rocks and five spice with cedar planks and the darkest cherries on earth. I could only imagine the full potential of a wine like this has yet to come. — 9 years ago

Jessica Tucker

9.5

Really good---nice surprise!!! — 9 years ago