Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This was a check-in to see how ready my 2000 Montrose’s are doing. A good check.

This is absolutely a close relative of the 2nd Growth Montrose. The thing that experience has taught me is, Montrose is a long in the tooth producer. As well, the 2000 Bordeaux vintage mimics that completely.

I would say the 2000 Montrose is finally ready with a longish decant.

This is completely classic Bordeaux and Saint-Estèphe.

The nose shows ripe, lush, nearly candied fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, back/stewed dark cherries, strawberries & raspberry hues. Both dark & milk chocolate to pudding, dry twig/soils, dark rich soils, dry river stone, dark & mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, softly layered baking spices, limestone/sandstone, black tea, used leather & tobacco, black olive tapenade, light cedar, semi-used charcoal, dark, red fresh & slightly withering flowers.

The palate shows nicely resolved M+ rounded, tarry tannins. It has freshness and bright fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, both plums, back/stewed dark cherries, strawberries & raspberry hues. Both dark & milk chocolate to pudding, dry twig/soils, dark rich soils, dry river stone, dark spice w/ palate heat, dark & mid berry cola, anise to black licorice, softly layered baking spices-nutmeg, clove, cinnamon & very light vanillin, limestone/sandstone, moist clay, crushed dry rocks, grey volcanics, black tea, used leather & tobacco, black olive tapenade, light cedar, dark, red fresh & slightly withering flowers, beautiful acidity, it is nicely toned, good structure/tension with a well balanced, elegant & polish finish for days that lasts two-minutes and lands on dry earth & spice.

91-92.

Still has 5-10 yr of life ahead depending on your storage. — 2 days ago

Tooty Frooty

9.2

Fruktigt sällskapsvin. Går omöjligt att bli arg på. #caves — 5 months ago

Jess

9.0

Deep ruby color.
Aromas of cherry, cocoa,
Dry. Flavors of ripe black cherry, cocoa, peppercorn, subtle olive note developing, hint of baking spice. Rich, velvety tannins.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 3/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 6 months ago

Essence Perry

10

Super juicy red — 7 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.3

Barush ludo nichk alegza mau @gradcru — 3 years ago

Justin Manni

9.0

Close to zero infinito but dryer — 4 years ago

Patrick Peters

9.1

Black pepper , black berry, good tannins, acidity is on point! Fruits in the nose and pepper in the finish. Tart dark cherry! — 6 years ago

Daniel M

9.2

What a wine! The nose is so complex with blackcurrant, blackberry, raspberry, dark cherries, tar, oak, mushrooms, autumn damp forest soil, tobacco, cigar box... this is great. The palate is superb! Big, broad and long, with some width, some matter on the sides, some nice black and red berries all along, a touch of oak, a silky mouthfeel that rolls on the tongue, integrated tannins that caress and hug in the rear, and a very long finish with the same berries, a subtle drying layer, some oaky touches, a savoury note and eventually some bitterness that pops up in the very end. This is 16 year-old and kicking. This is grand !
I should add that I had a glass of this using my coravin a few months back and the wine wasn't showing as well as it does now. — 2 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I am seldom dumbfounded when it comes to wine. So, I appreciate it when that happens.

This 1990 La Grande Dame was amazing and so fresh. Full disclosure, I am not normally impressed by this producer and this cuvée. Unusual for a champagne of 35 yrs to be so fresh in my experience from inception. So much so, if poured blind many would call it N/V or a fairly recent vintage. The color was even palish straw. Mags were brought from their Champagne House.

Excellent with the dessert of the evening, “Lemon Meringue Pie Cookie.”

Enjoyed at the 2026 “From Cellar Event” Pebble Beach Food and Wine.

Creator is Sumaiya Bangee.
NEW YORK, NY
All in Hospitality and Thulathan
@_sumaiya_bangee_ — 3 months ago

Ashish Pant

9.0

Let is open/ waited 3 hours, next day was even better balance of tannins and fruit, Go For It! — 6 months ago

Tooty Frooty

9.4

Classy indeed! #caves — 8 months ago

Jas G

9.2

On dryer side — 4 years ago

Bisher Akil

9.0

Lovely. Unexpectedly — 5 years ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.1

vintage 2019 | Cinnamon and brushwood, for me surprisingly soft, beautiful — 2 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

vintage 2019 | Awesome balance, wonderful scent with spicyness — 2 months ago

Robert Stackowiak

8.9

A red blend mostly Grenache fruity on the palate. April 2026. — 3 months ago

Sazi Temel

9.1

Fresh and vibrant with red fruit aromas alongside spicy, earthy undertones and hints of mineral. Lively medium-bodied yet juicy, refined and silky tannins, good acidity, and a refreshing, mineral finish. — 5 months ago

John Howard

Harvest production at Hirsch and Cobb Wineries

9.0

Inex and gut. — 6 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.5

Vintage 2012 | cardemom and chocolate, rich, mesmerizing smell! Beautiful balance in smell, swallow reflex in the mouth, you long for another sip. Really very good indeed. Love this. — 3 years ago

Jeremy.Buss

9.1

Our friend described this as forest floor. Did have wet forest smells along with mushrooms, dry blackberry and raspberry with a slight musty funk. Felt like this bottle was just a touch sweeter (not dessert wine sweet just that the dark fruit had fermented a bit more). Good wine. — 5 years ago