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! — 4 days ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Deep and intense. Very fresh. Floral notes, black pepper, dark plum. Excellent — 2 months ago

with Paul and Ara

Neal Ferry

9.3

This was a Magnum; has to be one of the greater Italian Reds. Thanks Tom; from the Barry Scmechal collection — 4 months ago

Pooneet K

9.2

Quite a nice montelena - and birth year to boot! Had with some Allen bros wagyu ribeyes, which honestly were too gratuitous, wouldn’t purchase again.

Would have guessed this was older Bordeaux from the nose, which is a high compliment. Decanted 2 hours and took it fine - the tannins are still quite there. But the fruit is secondary and quite seamless in a nice way. Finish maybe slightly lacking some depth which would make this higher - but overall very good. — 9 days ago

Andrea Watt

9.0

honeydew, lime, kiwi, and white peach. Light and tropical with good acidity. My husband liked this one too, which usually translates to crowd pleasing. — 3 months ago

James Barth

9.3

Drank this oldie last night after 12+ hours of air and decanting just enough to retrieve cork fragments. Delicious. Couldn't believe it. — 4 months ago

Andrea Watt

9.4

Bright lemon, yellow apple, and melon. Clean and balanced with a soft touch of oak. — 7 days ago

Bill Mowry

9.1

Took a while to open up but once it did it was very nice. Dark berries and blueberries with some noticeable acid and tannins. Could be laid down for many more years. — a month ago

Andrea Watt

9.1

fruity with lychee and mineral — 2 months ago

Bill Mowry

9.2

Medium bodied and well balanced with blackberry , cherry, and cocoa. Silky tannins. — 4 months ago

with Paul