Andrew Cullimore

9.1

Tasted blind . Medium garnet , more terracotta rim . More closed on the nose , some sweet cherry and cedar , orange rind and touch of anise . This is again quite fresh on the palate , some cherry and cedar , cut herbs , anise . Pretty grippy tannins . Reasonable length with good strawberry , raspberry , liquorice tinged finish . Needs a little more time , better in a couple of years and will last well a further 5-10. — 7 days ago

Tom Garland

9.4

1 hour decant(decent fine/chunky sediment). A splendid ruby red color. On the nose: perfumed intoxicating notes of stewed red fruit, forest floor, worn leather, tobacco, smoked meat, a little funky. Taste: soft, fresh, silky, chalky, mature savory wine with dark plum, baking spice, earth, herbs, leather, and a gamey mineral intense finish. YUM! should hold a few more years...drink em if you got em. — 11 days ago

with Brenda

Tobin Spratte

9.5

Lemon tart (butter, pie crust, ripe lemon) backed by chalk. Outstanding Chard blended with Grachetto.

Critics rating this 98 points. — 18 days ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Medium Ruby color with a bouquet of fruit, herbs and floral notes, aged for 30 months in large Slavonian oak casks. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with notes of herb pepper, floral and earthy notes. Medium+ finish, good balance with fine tannins ending with earthy nutty notes and mineral character. — 7 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This was nice with Bolognese.

Excellent integration & evolution. Fine tannins, some dark blackberries, dark sour cherries, blood orange w/ rind, soft spices, sandstone mineral dust, dark withering flowers, good acidity and a smooth, elegant finish that lasts a full minute.

This was in a good spot and will hold another 5-7 years, but believe its ascenion is complete. — 22 days ago

Mark S.

9.0

Transparent cherry red. 3 hours decanting, still solid. But getting showing up it’s power. Good black fruits aroma. Elegant 20 @13000, A Novello, 250228 — 23 days ago

Vino Joe

9.5

Jumped back on the horse with an 08 when the 99 proved fake. This one was the real deal. Wasn’t the best Monfortino though. Decanted and let it open for several hours while the Super Bowl unfolded. Go Eagles!!! Layered and foreboding. It didn’t have the best balance with the fruit but it was nonetheless a weighty joy. — a month ago

Jeremiah Diaz

9.4

Medium ruby to garnet in color; bright cherries, raspberries, and dried leaves on the nose; high acidity; high tannins; tastes like raspberries, cranberries, tart cherries, tabacco, and asphalt with a long finish. I love this wine — 12 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This started out lean and picked up weight & depth after it sat in the decanter after about 20-30 minutes. As we moved through dinner it started to push into 93.

The tannins were darker, firmer than the 2009 Pio Cesare. Blackberries, slightly sour but dark cherries, not yet ripe bold orange, tar, beautiful, lighter dark spice, sandalwood, dry tobacco, crashed rocks, nice tarriness, pink & red roses, nice acidity with a good, polished, elegant, well structured & balanced finish that lasts 90 seconds and falls evenly on fruit and earth.

— 22 days ago

Jess

9.2

Deep ruby color, leaning toward garnet.
Aromas of dark fruit, herbs.
Dry. Flavors of black fruit, chalk, peppercorn, lavender, smoke, dried herbs, licorice,. Rich, chewy tannins. Tasty, but will improve by waiting another 5 to 10 years (and more!).

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 4/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 8 hours ago