Mark Flesher

9.2

Enjoyed while cleaning out the boss' cellar. Say what you want about this wine, but the one thing you can say is that this wine is incredibly consistent. This wine reminds me of the family uncle who always gives you some silver dollars at Christmas...even though you are now a grown adult. And if you actually listen to his crazy advice on investing when you were a kid, you just might be able to be that Uncle when you grow up. This wine is a thoroughbred. Meant to be consumed at least after 10 years. And this wine is in a really good spot. The nose does show a tiny bit of age as does the palate. This is front-loaded with slightly aged blackberry and a bit brambly. This wine smoothed out quite a bit over 3 hours. Finish with very nice integration, a hint of stiff oak tannin but a lot of it has resolved. Very enjoyable. This wine still has another 10 or 15 years left. — 7 years ago

Jason Jones

9.6

56% cab franc was noticeable on the nose, which is great for me. Was very nice now but seems like it has a long way to go. — 8 years ago

with Josh and Erin

Martin G Rivard

10

What a beautiful person inside and out! I'm blessed beyond measure to be able to call him "Dad". Words can't adequately express how much I Love him. We opened a few bottles last night that I will hold near and dear to my heart forever. We are celebrating his completion of 6 rounds of chemo therapy in his battle against Prostate cancer. This is his 3rd time in the ring against this opponent and it appears that he's won with a unanimous decision by knockout at this time!!!!!! Love you dad!!!!! So proud of your strength through this process. My Father was born in 1940. A difficult year to say the least:
Germans entered Bordeaux in June of 1940. As dictated by Hitler himself, it was the sworn duty of each and every commander to search and seize whatever could be used for the advancement of the German cause. Bedlam broke out. Chateaux' were ransacked, wine cellars were looted if not used for target practice. The Chateauxs were forced to continue producing wines. It's poetic justice that Mother Nature provided the Germans with the worst growing season from 1940 to 1944!!!! The Germans left Bordeaux in 1944 to the cheers of the residents "Au Revoir Les Allemands"!!!! The 1940 bottle that we enjoyed this evening survived World War II. It Survived the ransacking, pillaging & plunder of countless German soldiers. It's outer capsule showed evident signs of its struggle but it's inner beauty was unblemished and glorious. I've had many, many vintages of Latour from 1928 and on but none have ever tasted as perfect as the one we enjoyed tonight. This 1940 was perfect. It was a fighter, it never gave up, it never relinquished in the face of adversity. That's my Father, that my role model. He's a beautiful person inside & out. I think 1940 is the best vintage that I have ever had the privilege to enjoy. Special thanks to my good friends Michael Troise whom provided me with much of the insights in regards to the incredibly difficult vintage and David Page whom gifted this bottle to me for our celebration this evening. I will never forget your generosity. It was a glorious evening to say the least!!! Wine has a way of bringing people together and encapsulating an evening and event. I couldn't think of a better way to rejoice in his victory than to open a Father & Son birth year wine. — 9 years ago

with Ryan, Christine and 1 other

Eric Floyd

9.3

Gorgeous 2009 Châteauneuf du Pape from Château du Beaucastel. Drinking very well right now. Opulent and seductive CDP displaying an elegant blend of herbs, chocolate and fruit. A lingering finish reminiscent of spice and perfume of diptyque candle that has been extinguished. This is a winner. Would someone send me a case for Xmas please? ❤️ — 9 years ago

Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

9.3

Perfect point in its evolution for me. Still some primary fruit mixed with the graphite leather and black pepper. — 10 years ago

Diane Kessler

9.0

Always enjoyable. Light strawberry/raspberry. Happy anniversary to me! — 10 years ago

Marty Winters

9.6

For me, wine of the evening. #pauldrapercandonowrong — 11 years ago

with Alex

Max Coane

9.6

Soft and elegant. Femininity in a bottle. And this saucy lady is as old as me! Birthyear crushing — 11 years ago

Alberto Lorenzi

9.2

Classic Champagne, great vintage, drank in 2008 vs Puro bianco for graduation celebration. Traditionalists enjoyed Champagne the most. Me, Puro since I'm an innovator ! — 13 years ago

Geoffrey Green

9.6

Pristine cork, decanted for 5 hours: still balanced, complex, and harmonious as a 20 year old in a challenging vintage. Fruit still lively, with mellow tannins—this still has a few years left. Came out best for me in an evening of great old wines: ‘98 Corison, ‘98 Montelena Estate, plus de la Tour ‘99. Never underestimate the consistency of a great estate, year after year. Glad I have another bottle or two. — 7 years ago

Mike Davila

9.6

This wine amazed me, I’ve had it before and it’s never shown this well, maybe just hitting it’s stride? Beautiful perfumed floral nose ( never thought I would say that about a Dunn), exquisite balance, the fruit is slightly sweet, the tannins are fully integrated and refined, with just the right amount of acid in the finish. I would never guess mountain fruit or let alone Dunn if tasted blind. Can’t wait to try it again in a couple of years. — 7 years ago

Palmer Emmitt

Owner/Winemaker Judge Palmer

9.4

I think my first Monte Bello and it does not disappoint. A very charming wine with an intriguing tomato component backed up by tons of cassis - "classic" California Cab. Great structure and for me in its prime right now (from half bottle). — 9 years ago

Joe Lucca

9.0

When you have to travel on a Sunday, and that Sunday happens to be Mother's Day, you're not exactly psyched. This little oasis in the Delta Sky Club afforded me the opportunity to smile. Not a bad pour, regardless of the price. Typical Lynch-Bages cigar tobacco and leather with some luscious and velvety black fruit. Finished a little flat, most likely due to being open for a while in the fancy automated pour gizmo. But still smiling! — 9 years ago

Steve Matthiasson

Owner/Winemaker Matthiasson Wines

9.5

A classically done wine by a classic producer. This Morgon expression is more on the garden earth/mineral/floral spectrum than the fruit spectrum, which is fine by me. Dense and structured, was singing after an hour in the decanter. — 9 years ago

Jeffrey Lew

9.6

Wotn for me, and most. Great showing. Classic profile of lead pencil and dark fruit with smooth integrated tannins. Beautiful bottle. — 9 years ago

Aron Caruso

9.2

Really enjoyed this. Heavy vanilla and oak. Reminded me of circus peanuts in a good way. I love this f*in wine. Wish it wasn't $40/bottle. — 10 years ago

Adam Plotkin

9.4

Another stellar Champagne. Not quite to the level of the 99 Salon for me, but I think both are so good it is an individual preference matter. This was a little more on the yeasty side, with a little more brioche going on. — 10 years ago

admiral von schnauzer

9.0

Pretty good. It makes me realize why I dislike us cab so much. Pencily — 11 years ago

Bill Bender

9.4

Italian tasting-Loma Portal 11/23. Co-wine of flight #3. My favorite Tignanello so far. Reminded me of the '02 Araujo Eisele Cab. Velvet deliciousness. — 11 years ago

Nataly Gamboa

9.7

This makes me a happy girl! One of my best friends. — 13 years ago

Bill Bender

9.6

From Mag with bone-in NY prime. This is finally in an approachable drinking window. An hour decant gave this wings. As “Bordeaux” an Insignia I’ve had in a while. I know it’s a Bordeaux blend but it’s never really performed that way for me. Great strength here, silky lines and some legit nuance. — 7 years ago

Martin G Rivard

10

Quick funny story:
Christine & I are LUCKY to have Kelly work in our office but we are BLESSED to be able to consider her and Darryl as dear friends.
We recommended to Kelly, prior to her going on vacation in Charleston SC, that they should stop by the Belmont hotel. They have a bar and restaurant that is 2nd to none in that area. Christine & I LOVE it!!!! Kelly sent me a quick text to say “hey, we’re at the Belmont! And about to have dinner!”
Being the goof ball that I am..... .....I called the Somm and said “I don’t care what they ordered, bring them a Shafer Hillside Select with some age on it!!!”. 10 minutes later he was decanting a 2003 Hillside Select table side! I love that hotel! Incredible service, incredible food and always a phenomenal experience! The only thing better are-our friends that are there right now!!!!

I didn’t Have a drop of this wine but I am scoring it a 10 based on experience alone!! It must have been “Badass in a Glass” as I always say!
I’ll let Kelly and Darryl fill in the official tasting notes!
by the way Kelly: don’t love SC tooooooo much, Christine & I can’t operate that place without you! See you next week! 👍👏👏👏👏👍
— 8 years ago

with Christine

Nathan Timm

9.5

To the tune of "play that song" - "drink that wine, the one that tastes oh so fine." — 9 years ago

with Kim

Bryan Cloninger

8.9

Tastes beyond its Year. Reminiscent of an Italian, reminds me of Pinot noir. But unique and something special — 9 years ago

Kelly Carey

9.3

Love this wine. Very smooth. — 9 years ago

Jason Jordan

9.3

Not a big fan of Pinot Noir wines but this is a good one for me. Not too dry and not a very sweet wine. — 10 years ago

Mike Blom

9.0

Deep reddish/purple color which has me on guard relative to Pinot. Worried that darker than lighter raspberry red has had Mega Red or other manipulation but this Pinot just has concentrated character. Varietal rose petal and cherry notes in aromas. You can see the broad influence from the 3 appellations that comprise the wine. Weighty on the palate without being too over bearing for the varietal. Great accompaniment to the saffron broth salmon this evening. — 10 years ago

Alexander Vadas

9.2

Good structure and body - nose a little too ripe for me — 11 years ago

with Michael and Stephen

Nicole McLendon

9.5

A little throw back Charleston Wine Festival circa 2014 with my bestie Brooke! — 11 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