"Odedi"

9.1

It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!

Deep purple in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose of black currants, black plums, light cedar, black tea, tobacco leaf, spices and light chocolate notes.

Medium plus in body with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black plums, cooked cherries, currants, oak, light licorice, spices, dark chocolates, bitter herbs and peppercorn.

Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This Merlot from Napa Valley is still very young, but already enjoyable, even by itself. Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and tangy. Showing nice complexity already, tangy and interesting.

Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 to 10 years, and has good potential to become a 93+ point wine.

Wine Spectator 92 points.

Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.

A blend of 78% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 15 months in (40% new) French Oak barrels.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

91 points.

$45. — 19 days ago

Joseph Barsky

9.5

2019 vintage. Needed time to breathe. Then it sang. — 9 days ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Opened about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2001 Monte Bello pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of black currants, blackberries, plum, tobacco, purple flowers, an intoxicating mix of exotic Eastern spices, some cocoa, inorganic earth and minerals. On the palate? The wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and impeccably balanced. To my palate, this bottle has reached the age when Monte Bello starts to really become interesting. What a delight! Drink now with some air, through 2051. — a month ago

Henry Fuseler

9.2

8/2026. Big, bold and dry. Nice finish.

Halls Chophouse — 24 days ago

Andy@andyberke.com

9.3

Really excellent. Fantastic with steak. Classic cab — a month ago

John Harding

9.6

Cherry and berry nose. Fruit forward with a distinctive spice. Tannins and acidity have mellowed. Easily my favorite. Easy to drink. Drank this 2009 in 2026. Probably my favorite vintage. I save it for special occasions, but it’s time to drink it. Bottom of the cork was getting crumbly. — a month ago

with Jenny

Tom Garland

9.4

Insignia Masterclass

1998 Insignia
2001 Insignia
2004 Insignia
2008 Insignia
2013 Insignia
2023 Insignia

With:
David Pearson, President
Ryan Knoth, winemaker

@Joseph Phelps Vineyards, Napa — 11 days ago

with Brenda

Richard Davies

9.5

I detect cigar dark fruit cedar — 6 days ago

Jeff Topping

9.0

Gift from Wes Gentle — 8 days ago

Bonnie Chu

8.9

California eureka tasting — a day ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.2

2022 vintage. Nice enuff in the front and mid-palates with plenty of fruit, spice and richness. Dwindles on the finish and, like nearly all 2022's from Napa, missing that kapow/blammo at the end. 8.19.26. Missed the 2021 and haven't seen the 2023 but feel like they'll come through with the goods. 8.19.26. — a month ago

Tom Garland

9.3

1 hour decant(some fine/cloudy sediment). A striking still dark purplish magenta color. On the nose: Intoxicating notes of stewed dark fruit, floral, potting soil, cinnamon, mint, coffee grounds. Taste: silky, balanced, savory, creamy, juicy wine with dried blackberry, currants, dark chocolate, earth, mocha, crushed stone, and a peppery graphite long finish. YUM! Somewhere in its peaked drinking window so drink em if you got em. Unfortunately, my last bottle. — a month ago

with Brenda

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Dark Ruby red color with aromas of ripe berry fruits, herbs and earthy spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry, raspberry and black currant with espresso, cacao, cedar and earthy spice notes. Good balance, lively acidity, fine tannins long ending with fruit and toasty tobacco spice! Nice! — a month ago

Anthony Pro

9.1

Good vintage. Well aged. — 3 days ago

Some Dude

9.2

What a treat to serve this with a couple of steaks fresh off the grill and a chipotle-flavored tomato bread salad. This wine elevated the meal and delighted our guests! — 16 days ago

Joe Flo

9.7

Very good for a difficult & irregular growing season. — 22 days ago

Sharon B

9.5

It’s National Red Wine Day! Let me see your wine! — 25 days ago

Allison Frazier

10

Oh loved loved loved it! Gift from Radek, Piotr, Marcin. — a month ago

Kelley Raymond

9.5

Always a favorite — 15 days ago

Gladys Xiques

9.2

Aged purple fruit. Paired with meat chili — a month ago