John W

9.4

Deep ruby coloration. On the nose, bell pepper, forest floor, herbs, and dark cherry. On the palate, blueberry, dark berry, cassis, pepper, spice, toasted oak, vanilla, chocolate, and a long finish. Full bodied, rich and balanced. — 3 days ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I haven’t really enjoyed this producer due to how much ABV it shows, This was the first time it didn’t burn the back of my throat. Still big and dark. It’s a 30 plus year wine. — 9 months ago

Loren Grossman

Vintner Wilde Farm Wines

9.5

Consistent with my last notes. Bramble mountain fruit, violets, black pepper. Complete and integrated front to back, including the fine tannins at the finish. Wonderful wine. — 3 years ago

Donald Williams

9.1

Wellington 2006 week drawing to a close with a spectacular Cab. Three single vineyard Cabs from a wine.woot offer back in 2012, and a single vineyard Zin, all from the 2006 vintage. It’s been a week of superb food and equally superb wine. — 5 years ago

with Bonnie

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened a day prior and poured into a wide bottom decanter for several hours before returning to the bottle overnight. Double-decanted again prior to service and then enjoyed over the next three days. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of tart and ripe black currants, a mix of black and red bramble fruit, dried leaf tobacco, crushed rock and a vast array of minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry and still exhibiting fairly massive structure. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. There is a sneaky density to this wine that indicates this is very special and yet, compared to my experience back in 2019, this seems recalcitrant. Regardless, this is a classically structured Cabernet Sauvignon. I have one bottle remaining and won’t plan to touch it until closer to 2030. — a month ago

Shengli Hu

9.3

A most beautiful ethereal Zinfandel that hearkens back to the old Napa Zins back in the 60s and 70s. A mixed black field blend of Zinfandel, Carignan, Petit Sirah. Vines were first planted in 1895, 1995 was the first vineyard (as John O didn’t care for any grapes other than Pinot Noir…) Barrels passed from from the Pinot Noir program. Aged for 18 months. Medium concentration. Pale bright ruby. Red crunchy cherry, white pepper, bread dough, blueberry pie, cedar, pencil shaving, hints of stony characters. Elevated acidity and medium-grained tannins. Med++ finish. I love how light it is on its feet and I would have never called it a Zinfandel if given in a blind tasting. — 2 years ago

Ken Venezio

9.2

This is old school Ladera back when the Stotesbury fam had the winery. Quintessential Howell Mtn. Inky in the glass with florals and cocoa and black/blueberry on the palate. Soft and elegant finish. Needed a good hour decant but this 10 yr bottle age did wonders. — 5 years ago

Norman Gennaro

9.3

Hard not to love and yes you can love something that can’t love you back. Sorry mom but that’s not true. Love it. — 5 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1998 vintage. Been waiting to taste this one again for over two decades. 1998 wasn't the best Napa Cab vintage. The best 98's were generally mountain fruit-like the Dunn Howell Mountain. When this was released back in the day, it was brawny, taut and tannic but still maintained balance. This Montelena 1998 Estate Cab was better than nearly everyone's 1997 (an acclaimed/excellent across the board) Napa cabs back then. FF 23 years later...surprise! Some things haven't changed. Decanted and tasted after 10 mins, 30 mins and 2 hrs. Excellent fill and cork. Throwing respectable sed. Massive color. Great aged, leathery nose. Still medium heavy bod. Baking chocolate, ripe plum and grilled beef in the flavor profile. Consistent performer through the entry, mid and back palate hoops without drop-off during the ceremony. Tannins still evident but well-integrated with the abundance of fruit. Not improving but this is rock steady and in a very sweet spot/top of the bell curve for at least another decade. It was worth the wait. 6.29.24. — 6 months ago

Scott Kahn

9.2

Twos year later from my last tasting reaffirms my last rating. Still amazingly soft for a Cabernet; the tannic structure reveals itself on the back palette. Dark fruit and leather - some more time opening would improve the experience. Beautiful balance; we are enjoying sans food but some red meat would complement nicely! — 4 years ago