Severn Goodwin

9.6

Nose has ripe blackberry, over-ripe black currant, dehydrated black cherry, moist prune, dried mint, old leather, old cedar, fresh cigar, ever so slight eucalyptus and milk chocolate powder.

Palate has velvety black fruits, blackberry/black cherry/plum, cedar, wet leather, wet volcanic rock, moist garden soil and wow what a finish, so long, so beautiful. Well cellared '96 CA should last forever! Medium tannins persist! Decanted 6H, more time would be appreciated, alas our last and only bottle, damn it.

Paired to Allen Bros. filets (Prime/Complete Trim) grilled to 127° then rested for 12m, perfectly medium rare; Toasted orzo with grilled squash and brussel sprouts with bacon. 🤤

An early Father's Day with my parents, so I don't have to compete with my Sister & Nephew's in 24 hours, plus we'll have the better wine. 🤞 — 4 days ago

Virginia Thomas

9.2

Winestyr - steak night at home w Leslie and Leon — 10 days ago

Jason Gaffner

9.2

Stunning wine that is just a baby. If you see this and you’re wondering whether to drink, either wait a few more years or decant for at least a few hours before drinking — 21 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Noticeable oak, but I enjoy some overt (but in check) oak with my Cali Chard. Old style. — 11 days ago

Chris McClellan

9.0

Big tropical fruits, lemon curd, luscious, yet retains acid in the end…maybe too much vanilla cream (oak) for me, but overall delicious after dinner and segway to whiskey around the fire…. — 10 days ago

with Michael and Ryan

Aaron Rankin

9.0

This is a tasty wine, no doubt. Shows that plush, velvety, dark fruit richness. Well balanced. Simple. Almost the stereotype of decent merlot. — a month ago

Charles York

9.6

Starting to round out. Cherry. Currant. Still a fav. Silky. — 23 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.4

From a mini vertical of Monte Bello at a friend’s house. This 08 is easily the most concentrated of the 06, 07, 08. A bit of lemony oak is still yet to integrate on the nose, but all the components are there. Best concentration of the bunch. The fruit is rich and pure and the tannins and acids are really in nice balance. Give this 5 more years. — 11 days ago

Matt Sterr

9.2

Mature and drinking beautifully. — 12 days ago

Josh Morgenthau

9.3

Butterscotch candy nose. Pina colada on the palate and this is definitely on the buttery oaky spectrum but it’s done really well and I’m down with it. Vanilla and kiwi. Great acid and great broad lactic finish. — a month ago