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! — 6 days ago

Jody Scharf

9.5

Close to perfect, granted don't know what that is, but this is near... — 3 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

Vintage 2012 | Dark ruby colour, morello cherries and mint. Smooth taste. — 3 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. — 18 days ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.4

Massive wine. Seems to be built for the long haul. — 3 days ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.3

Wonderful nose! On the palate… it’s elegant, light, fresh and sinewy, — 2 days ago

Tor Kenward

9.5

This was the unicorn “Vielles Vigne” bottling. Might hang in for a decade or more. Great job Tony Soter. Special fruit to work with that inaugural year — 23 days ago

Skip Smyser

9.8

Don't have time to detail the complexity of this 1.5 L. A marvelous of the cellar 🍷🍷🍷🍷 — a month ago

Steve Belmonte

9.5

Excellent as always. Smooth right out of the bottle. Gets better over time — 2 days ago

with Connii

Alessandro Dalle Carbonare

9.7

Beautiful subtle aroma from Merlot makes it pretty. Its free spirit nose makes you feel what the wine is going to be about. Drinkable and fresh. Apparently missing weight but it doesn’t miss a bit all the way thru the tasting. The aftertaste is long and very, very pleasant after one minute. — 3 days ago