Robert Stackowiak

9.0

Lemon and oak in balance, so best of California style (though not clean and fresh as you find in French style). At 5+ years old, will continue to age well though fine for drinking now. February 2025. — 2 days 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. — 18 days ago

GaryWEdwards

9.0

From Far Niente family, excellence in a glass — 4 months ago

Abbas Zand

9.0

Dark red fruit aromas. Medium bodied.
Blackberry, plum flavors. Some earth, spice, and tobacco notes. Light oak, not too tannic. Good overall. Pricey.
$50 — 15 days ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

No formal notes . Quite dense ruby . Quite high toned floral character on the nose, very different from all others so far , this had to be the Petrus . More purple fruits , spicy . Spicy and rounded and quite exotic in character . On the palate this shows a juicy note and a rounder , richer riper tannin . Quite round on the finish , but ok generous finish . Floral and charming . This certainly showed exuberance and youth , though it is also quite elegant and relatively fine boned in style. This can be drunk now and over the next 10 perhaps 15 years — 5 days ago

Nishith Jobanputra

9.0

Excellent. Cork & Board. — 3 months ago

Peter Montoleone

9.0

Very nice. Full bodied and will pair nice with any grilled steak. — 20 days ago

K L

9.2

Great Chardonnay. Not as strong as far Niente but still good. Brighter and more acidic. — a month ago

with Matt

Scott Rapacki

9.2

49th bday wine! What does 50th bday wine look like? — 3 months ago

with Adrienne

Mike Evans

9.3

By far the best Kongsgaard Chard I’ve had (and I’ve had a lot) with an unexpected brightness and acidity. — 4 months ago