Jay Kline

9.3

Opened several hours prior to service and enjoyed over the course of the following few hours. The 2017 Montecillo pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with very pretty notes of tart, slightly underripe dark and red fruits: currants, blackberries, Montmorency cherry, raspberry, fresh leaf tobacco, bell pepper, purple flowers, graphite, earth, gentle warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose with a good dose of minerals. The finish is long, tart and grippy. Okay so I’ve had enough of Ketan’s wines by now to expect a certain amount of greenness. Sometimes, particularly with Vare, it’s almost offensive. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case here. It’s certainly on the more elegant end of the spectrum but there’s a lot of character, particularly with the aromatics which are not only precise but rather beguiling. A classic that just needs more time to flesh out. For sure though, this is going to be a polarizing wine for many. Drink now with extended air but better after 2027 and probably has the legs to run well past 2047. — 5 days ago

Andrew McIntyre

9.4

Label was gone so you'll all just have to believe me that this was a Cheval blanc 🤣. Very far along with leather, mushroom and forest floor flavours. Great wine from a poor vintage — 2 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Bit more lightening on the rim , more garnet . Touch more herbal on the nose with cedar , and grafite, much more lean and mineral on the palate. This takes quite a while to find its feet and benefits from quite a lot of air . In some ways a little unfortunate to be served between the 2000 and 1990 , which are a fuller , and more showy in style . However after a while this does show quite good length and balance , refreshing acidity . This is quite lean and mineral , focused and still pretty young . From now over the next 10 years. A little austere in style , reminds me a little of the 2005 in that aspect , though without that vintage’s intensity or density . — 2 months ago

Scott Soren

9.6

Absolutely delicious. While still young, this beast is drinking profoundly well at the 10 year mark. Smooth velvety tannins and dark red fruit, followed by a long lingering finishmakes me want more and more — 2 days ago

Jody Scharf

9.4

diversity of reviews, interesting read,
me, ...dark fruits, smooth, light acid, mellow palate..delicious! — 2 months ago

cam cab sav lvr

9.0

paired this with a pot roast, a christmas movie, a new vacuum cleaner, and a fluffy robe - it was lovely. it’s a little on the sweeter side for a pinot but still has the dry punch on the back end. label could have some more interest but overall it’s a solid wine, would probably buy again — 2 months ago

with Erin-Bearin

Adriana Fabbro

9.4

One could argue it was a bit young, but this wine to me - every vintage - remains one of the greatest of all time. I smell and taste the dark fruit (currants, etc), I taste the iron, i taste the dark stones, I taste the garam marsala. And holy sh!t, the texture… — 3 months ago

Jan de Weerd

9.6

Highlight of the night! And a surprise to some degree. I kind off had given up on Lynch Bages. Given the high price, to me, the 2015 and 2016 were below expectation. But, boy, this 2018 rung all bells. Super concentrated, layers of evolving dark cherry, blueberry, current flavors and a superb balanced finish. All one could wish for. — a month ago

with Tammy

Rob N

9.6

Par excellence. Cristal is always a treat, with the small bubble size the defining feature for me. ~$320. — 2 months ago

Ron R

9.5

Good god. Peaking right now.
Huge aromatics on the nose. Superb weight, balance and texture. No rush to consume. Cedar and macerated black cherries transition to coffee and hints of maple. Blew me away. In raptures over this. Direct from the winery when I lived in Europe. — 2 months ago

with Mo