Pooneet K

9.3

Really a wonderful St J and a crazy value as a 2nd wine. Lovely pairing with roast rack of lamb with garlic / rosemary / mustard. In a good window but could take more time honestly. Wonderful acid, quite deep fruit, long finish, tannins still very there, delicious. — 2 months ago

Vino Joe

9.2

I will start with I was impatient and didn’t decant and consumed within 2 hours. So I didn’t really give this a fair chance to broaden. It was nonetheless very enjoyable but definitely muted. Lots of earth and depth. Fruit is buried but perhaps if I had been more accommodating it would have emerged more boldly. Solid old world PN. — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.1

See previous notes on 2 tasting occasions. Coincidentally all at Paros on the Beach Apartments - all 3 tastings. One of my favourite 2nd wines in Australia. Often associated with white pepper, this exhibits more plum and spice. A very good wine and great QPR. — 3 years ago

John Van Trijp

9.9

2nd edition in Magnum — 3 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2003 vintage. Also recently tasted 9.26.23 (9.5) and 10.14.23 (9.4). First bottle was sexy, voluptuous and the usual Cos with all the baby fat, even after two decades. 2nd bottle much leaner (9.4) and w/o the baby fat...more minerals afoot. Decanted and immediately tasted, also after 30 mins and after 2 hrs. Massive sed thrown. This bottle in between worlds. Some baby fat, some minerals-still damned delicious and doesn't suck. 10.22.23. — 6 months ago

Jaq Sebastian

9.3

A must try if you like rich, generous and concentrated flavour, with a hint of smooth sweet dark berry and luscious oak. Intense. — 2 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Always a great choice for a 2nd btl off the list to finish lunch. Lots of berry fruit, citrus, pastry dough in a creamy finish — 3 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.3

Happy birthday honey. 🎂🥳🎉❤️

The Chateau that got my wife Sofia to finally love Bordeaux (1995). Expected more from the this property in 2000. But 2000 is still either the stubborn I think it is or just not as good as critically advertised. 20 years in bottle and think it needs at least 10 more years. Also, a touch of v/a-bandaid. It has nice balance with soft fruit & earth. It just lacks the wow factor for the property & vintage. Maybe, it is in a dumb faze. But, I’ve been waiting 20 years for 2000 to come out of its shell. I love this property but it is not up to its reputation…even for lesser vintages. It might be outstanding in another 20. This bottle is a little flawed and perhaps maybe (?) a better 2nd day wine. Tonight it is leaner than I would expect. Ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, poached strawberries. Sweet lead pencil, charcoal, volcanic ash, spice, nutmeg, some cinnamon, vanillin, dry tobacco, sandalwood, limestone, dry crushed rocks , dry pebbles, dark, rich earth w/ dry leaves, dry herbs, hints of Worcestershire sauce, moist clay, withering mid floral bouquet with excellent acidity and a wire to wire finish that is balanced, nicely tensioned and elegance that lasts minutes. One of the few slightly flawed bottles in 25 plus yrs of collecting. I can count them on just over one-hand.

Picture of Sofia picking the 2012 Mouton Rothschild Merlot. — 6 months ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Decanted 1.5 hours. Not quite at the level of some other monte bellos I’ve had, but still very nice. Nose is wonderful - easily a 9.4+ nose. Lots of dark cherry and some earthy / hay / forest floor notes. But this doesn’t quite have the full mouthfeel and depth I was hoping for. Finish is slightly tannic with good acid. Nice pairing with pork chops - and a fun bottle for my son’s 2nd bday. — 9 months ago

LM Segal

9.3

Outstanding showing for a 2nd wine in a classic vintage. Red fruit and red flowers, cedar and cigar notes led a pure and concentrated beam of blueberry and multiple red fruit notes with some vanilla and black currant. Feminine, elegant. Fine tannins disappeared on long finish. — 4 years ago

with Joe and Mark