Garen Staglin

9.4

In Magnum. Excellent balance of fruit and acid. Many years to go. — 4 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2021 vintage. Classic Napa Cab without all the current bells and whistles. Eye on the prize. Medium body with balanced bouquet and shows across the entire palate. It’s Cabernet like this that built Napa into the 800 lb gorilla that it is. 79% Cab, 8% PV, 7% Malbec, 6% Merlot. 4.3.24. — 23 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

1998 not the best Napa Cabernet vintage. However, good producers still find their way through difficult vintages. Joseph Phelps is the rule rather than the exception.

This was poured out of magnum and drinking beautifully by their Hospitality Manger.

Nicely ripe, lush juicy fruits of blackberries, blackberries, both plums, some purple & blue fruits. Dash of spice & lead pencil, anise-black licorice, soft baking spices, caramel notes, some dark chocolate, fresh dark flowers, round acidity and a well balanced, softened structure & tension, elegant, nicely evolved finish that lasted a full minute. — 19 days ago

Bruce Leboff

9.2

Vibrant and alive. Fun to drink - kids birth year. Still some nice fruit on the nose Smooth and caressing tannins. Fun to drink. Took a while to wake up but worth the wait. Really nice. — 7 days ago

with Danielle and David

Paul K

9.3

One of my favorite Napa cabs. This vintage continues to improve. Last had in ‘21. Not a ton of oak or alcohol. The fruit isn’t bombastic yet not austere either. Closer to austere, but not at all simple. It’s earthy, berry, cherry, and tobacco with round tannins. Love this! I wish more Napa cabs went down this route. — 6 days ago

Boris Mathiszik

9.1

New vintage of this trusted cab. Delicious as always. Layers of cherry, some constraint, smooth. — 8 days ago

leon egozi

9.5

305 group annual 10 yr Napa cab retrospective — a month ago

Kelley Raymond

8.9

Finally a merlot to enjoy - a bit dry but balanced. And easy to find — a month ago

Shay A

9.4

Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.

Here we are six years after my last ‘88 Montelena and I’m looking at my old review as if I wrote it about this current bottle! So bright and lively. Gorgeous deep ruby color (darker than the ‘88 Leoville Barton). There is a Christmas spice (maybe more mint-driven) aromatic with bing cherries and floral notes. Red fruit to the core with some spiced blackberries, earthy/herbal savoriness, great acidity and a snappy/youthful finish. Cedar and espresso. Held strong over a few hours open. Not falling off a cliff, but don’t miss this window if you have some! — 7 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.6

This was a nice pour out of 9L served up by their Winemaker, Trevor Durling. He and his team are a great group of people.

Really excellent evolution. Classic Private Reserve George Latour style. Fine, dark tarry tannins, dark cassis, wet clay, sandalwood, used tobacco, light herbaceous notes, understated lead pencil, some baking spices, dark spice, withering dark & red flowers, excellent round acidity, balance for days, soft structure & tension and an elegant, round, plush, velvety finish that close to two-minutes. — 19 days ago