Ericsson

9.2

This wine needs time. Time in the bottle, in a decanter, or time in the glass at the very least (it gets more approachable by the minute, trust me). This is big, bold and bountiful; with the fruit, the body, the tannins and even the finish. Just pair with something just as big. — 6 days ago

Steve Somermeyer

8.9

Very nice CA aromas & OK palate & finish. Suspect that the RS is 1-2%. Easy drinking red wine. — a month ago

Mark S.

9.0

After one hour, vanilla, black currant.blue and black berries. Red flower. Juicy. Concentration. Sweet with elegancy Caymus 21 @, 240118 — 16 days ago

Scott Kahn

9.5

Beautiful wine - one that has improved with age! Deep and rich color with a bouquet of cedar in the glass. Dark and plentiful fruit, integrated albeit present tannins, and a long finish. This is best Estournel that I have sampled! — 24 days ago

Scott E. Becker

9.3

[Tasted on January 25, 2025 at Home with Tom, Kathy, Mark and Lucille]

84% Cabernet Sauvignon; 5.5% Merlot; 5.5% Cabernet Franc; 4% Petit Verdot and 1% Malbec. Blackberry and black currant fruit, with chocolate, espresso, earth and a mineral note. Nicely balanced. — 8 days ago

Andrea Watt

9.5

I love this wine. Crisp citrus and oak with round pear and vanilla. Holds up well to food but enjoyable on its own. — 19 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. — 15 days ago

Brandi Bratek

9.7

One of the best wines I have had in years and think it benefited from sitting open for a day for the second tasting. — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Blend 95% Cabernet Sauv, 2% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, splash of Malbec, more cab heavy than prior vintages, deep Ruby, aromas of ripe black and red fruits with floral and earthy notes. On the palate flavors of cherry, blackberry, currants and licorice with vanilla, cacao, cedar and savory herbs. Long finish, well balanced, full tight rich tannins ending with fruit, cedar and earthy character. Nice! — 2 hours 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. — 21 days ago

with Tammy