An exceptional wine that shows its age ability to endure and improve over time. The 2009 vintage has 76% Cab Sauv, 18% Merlot, 4% Cab Fran and 2% Petit Verdot and was aged for 15 months in French Oak barrels. Extremely opulent and luscious, though tannins were already falling, but its elegance and finesse was compelling. All ripe red fruits with a persistent perfumed aromas. Elongated finish with some fig notes as a bit of baked raisins. It can continue aging for another 15 years without compromising its elegance and complexity. This is a show stopper!! — 23 days ago
No formal notes . Medium deep ruby again. This is a bit greener , spicier , with some red pepper , smokier and darker fruit on the nose . Spicier and a bit more plush on the palate . This actually improved a lot in the glass and was changing quite a lot , became more floral with crunchy fresh dark berries . Polished tannin but nice fresh acidity , quite velvety on the palate . No lack of weight either . Really quite liked this and will no doubt age gracefully even if it is enjoyable today with time in decanter. For enjoyment over the next 10 years or so. — 2 months ago
Decanted for 30 minutes. On the nose: cedar, sandstone, currents, hint of leather.
On the palate: dissipating tannin, softening cedar, emerging black cherry fruit and soft sandstone.
This is a big, beautiful Bordeaux at its peak with all the softness in the last sip that comes with age.
Drink it now. — 5 days ago
Of all the American red wines that participated in the Judgement of Paris, it could be argued that Monte Bello has shown the greatest propensity to age. In fact, I would go as far as it requires lengthy cellaring to extract its best. I’ve had the good fortune to drink a number of tremendous vintages of Monte Bello over the last several years and this one has got to be at or near the top of the lot.
Opened and poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1991 Monte Bello pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core moving out towards a light ruby rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) with gorgeous notes of ripe and tart black currants, mixed bramble fruit, tobacco, some purple flowers, dill, mint, leather, earth, vanilla and associated baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The structure remains tremendous which again, seems to indicate youth. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and immensely satisfying. This is one of those wines that will outlive most humans. Drinking well now with a short decant but this has the gas to see 2061 with ease. — 2 months ago
Lee Pitofsky
Always hits with age or without! — 6 days ago