Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2020 vintage. A fave CA chard and producer. Medium-medium heavy body. Tasting slightly more tropical and advanced with less acidity than usual. Still absolutely delicious tho. Would like to retaste and reevaluate in 5-6 months tho. Based on 30 vintages of tasting this particular wine, betting it reconciles any tawdry, fleeting concerns that occupy my compromised palate and right quick. 01.22.25. — 11 days ago

Mark S.

9.0

Brioche, Fresh Citrus, Chalk, Nuts. Creamy. Laurent Perrie Brut @, Eva, 250125 — 8 days ago

Henry Fuseler

9.2

1/2025. Clean and crisp. Nice on the palate. Great with my popcorn. — 25 days ago

Vino Joe

9.7

Sharp and citrusy. I loved the mineral chalky texture and the lightness of the wine. Great length Fruit is plentiful but relaxed (in a good way). Perfect for a snowy indoor holiday evening. Cheers! — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.7

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. — 15 days ago

Christie S

9.0

Delicious. Vibrant, bold, berry flavor with a really great price tag. — 14 days ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.8

Nearly perfect wine. Last Merry Edwards vintage. And a magnum. — a month ago

Jason Sliwa

9.6

Fantastic. Touch of pear and apple, a hint of brioche, elegant bubbles, piercing acidity. — 19 days ago

with Vicki and Eli

John Van Trijp

10

105/100 one of my best champagnes ever. D’Auvenay with bubbles — 23 days ago

Mario Zillner

9.5

June 2024 disgorgement; would’ve preferred to pop this +12 months (vs. 6), as it would certainly benefit from some time. A grower BdB favorite; of course made from 100% Chardonnay, coming from several Grand Cru villages in the Côte des Blancs. The Cuvée de Réserve is a blend of more than twenty vintages, dating back to 1988 (via the solera method)! Peters considers this their “flagship” champ, even at the NV price point.

Firm upfront with a rather long finish. Sharp acidity; strong lemon, pale stone fruit, orange zest, and young tangerine notes. Medium body with pillows to carry you through. Steel vs. wood. 12% ABV. Simply delicious. — a month ago