Ed Chin

9.4

I don’t know why it’s taken so long to try this bottling. I have missed out all these years. Clean purity of fruit mild depth at this early age and just plain exciting. Definitely worth the wait — 7 days ago

Tom Garland

9.3

Inspire Napa for Alzheimer research Wine Seminar at Round Pond Estate

Moderator: Ray Isle, Wine Editor, Food & Wine
Panelists:
Antonio Galloni, Vinous founder
Carissa Mondavi, Continuum Estate
Michael Silacci, Opus One Winery
Jason Lede, Cliff Lede Vineyards
Jason Smith, Schrader Cellars

WINES: wines that inspired each person
1977 Mondavi cab reserve...Carissa birth yr
2018 Rinaldi Barolo Brunate...Antonio
2022 Hirsch Estate chard.....Jason Smith
2017 Mas Doix Costers de Vinyes..Jason Lede
2005 Mario Bazan cab....Michael Silacci
2018 Diamond Creek Volcanic Hill...Ray Isle — 7 days ago

with Brenda

RJ Stefanski

9.4

I’ve now had 3 consecutive vintages (‘20-‘22) of this iconic Chardonnay, and even with the hefty price tag, it has always delivered. Big and bold but I wouldn’t say buttery, tropical fruit salad, exceptional balance with great acidity and a long, high end finish. One of those rare times when the hype is deserved. $70-$75 — 22 days 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! — 22 days ago

Tony D

9.2

Good Pinot. Light easy. Good for a Thursday when your kid opens the wrong bottle. Pleasantly surprised! Better than the Thursday leftovers that it was paired with. Approx 40$. — 16 days ago

Kyle

8.9

High alcohol and earthy on the nose. Big up front with Silky finish. Blueberry or blackberry. Medium to high tannins. Let it breathe a bit. — 18 days ago

Jeffrey Trezek

9.5

Deep, rich aromas of leather and black fruit. Silky mouthful with easy tannins. Excellent sip! — 11 hours ago

Randy Fuller

9.2

This wine has barely any color at all, just a very faint yellow-green tint. The nose is nice. There is a slight trace of petrol, which I always love to find in a Riesling. More dominant is a lanolin note which joins a light floral aroma. The palate straddles the fence between dry and sweet, offering up some tasty stone fruit and a savory side marked by gentle spices and a workable acidity. I would like a drier wine better, but I drank this quaff gladly and poured another. — 19 days 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. — a month ago

Doug Powers

9.0

Ripe, polished, round, suave, definitely not an old school Petite Sirah but a super modern style, undeniably VERY tasty, but struggling a bit with reconciling the flavor and particular the structural style with 1970s/1980s Petite Sirah, I’m confused?!?! — 12 days ago

with Jim