Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Blend of 83% Tempranillo, 9% Graciano, 6% Mazuelo (Cariñena) and 2% Garnacha, grapes and various plots fermented separately, aged for 20 months in American oak, then blended. Deep Ruby color with aromas of ripe black fruits and floral spice notes. On the palate flavors of cherry, blackberry and plum with notes of leather, vanilla and oaky notes. Fine tannins, long finish, lively acidity ending with fruit, sweet oak and spice. Nice! — 16 days ago

Danielle Metzger

9.2

A friend brought this wine to me, what a gift! A new favorite when it comes to red wine. The vibrant color was astonishing, and the red fruit notes were pleasant. Very rich & dry, yet smooth & balanced at the same time — 13 days ago

Jeffrey Woo

9.2

Dark garnet hue. Aromas of bramble, cedar, cherry, flint, graphite, leather, oak, plum, strawberry. Medium-plus body, with plus tannins and plus acidity. Integrated, rounded tannins. Drinking well now. 75% Tempranillo, 15% Garnacha, 5% Graciano, 5% Mazuelo. — 20 days ago

Ryan Kravitz

10

Un tempranillo mezcla de rioja. este es mi tercero tempranillo desde rioja. espero sentirme un caballero. first scent was coke (cola) on the cork. hue is extremely dark. No clarity much turbidity in broad daylight. slight note of sweet cherry. much barrel and deep tannic tones of turbulence i find terrific. sour cherry on the tongue. Really dazzling deep wine brings the whole picnic and woodsy fairytale all together #tempranilloblend — 14 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. — 12 days ago

Jose Lorenzo

9.3

Beautiful golden hue. Creamy, Wildflowers, grapefruit. Probably the best Viura on the market. Cheers — a month 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! — 7 days ago

Peter Sultan

9.1

No notes. Who needs notes for an old friend? Always delish. Perhaps missing some of its usual tension, which makes me wonder if this was a warm vintage. — 24 days ago

Andrea Watt

9.4

Bright lemon, yellow apple, and melon. Clean and balanced with a soft touch of oak. — 10 days ago

Daniel veit

9.8

Stunning. Graphite, cherry leather, plum, fall leaves. Beautiful structure to this wine.
— 20 days ago