Will Stanley

9.1

This needs more time to knit together, but does show promise, even if I feel a shade less impressed than the first time trying a couple of years back. It’s initially very herbaceous, with tomato leaf and green pepper, eventually giving way to a svelte personality with plush oak and sweet fruit. Not perfect now, but should be great in four years’ time. — 10 days ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Plush and rounded. Sweet fruit. Lush and long. Very good shape. Still vibrant — 3 months ago

with BOT, Jean-Francois and 2 others

Conrad Green

9.5

Lush and plush. Dark plum and black cherry with a hint of violet. Beautiful and luscious in the palate with some hints of graphite and black pepper. Great stuff — 7 months ago

with Paul, Gregg and 2 others

Conrad Green

9.6

Gorgeous plush fruit. Plum, cedar, iodine and salt. Really intense and pure. Gorgeous. Still quite young — 2 years ago

with Tony and David

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

2000 vintage. Last tasted 9.25.23 (9.2) after 1.5 hours decanted. Popped and decanted this for lunch. Great fill and solid cork. Throwing a bit of sed but less than anticipated. Meh nose. Medium body initially. Started off on the rich side of the ledger but not plush. Had some smoothness afoot. Tasted after 45 mins open, 1.75 hours open and 8 hours open. First two were unspectacular. After lounging in the decanter 8 hours, wine had firmed up, thinned out, picked up plenty of secondary flavors and had that previously missing grip. If you're gonna open this during the holidays or anytime soon, do it very very early...otherwise, it'll be a total waste. Wine has miles to go. No rush to crush but just air it out in advance properly. 10.16.24. — a month ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

2nd Ribcap wine. Delicious!

2006 followed the grand 2005 vintage. It was overpriced based on 2005 & critically reviewed as a difficult vintage. I can tell you 06 was overpriced, but still a good to very good vintage depending on the region & producer.

The fruits are classic Bordeaux…nicely ripe; blackberries, black raspberries, very dark cherries, black plum, plum, mix of strawberries & red cherries. Wet, volcanic clay, lead pencil for days, slightly, dry tobacco, dark spices, mix of mostly dry & fresh herbs, clove, nutmeg, some cinnamon & vanillin, volcanic ash, used leather, sandalwood to cedar, forest floor w/ dry leaves, dry river stone, steeped, dark fruit tea, withering, slightly candied; dark, red florals with hints of violets, round, fresh, river stream acidy, a plush, round, elegant, nicely; tensioned, structured, balanced and elegant polished finish that last 90 seconds. — 5 months ago

Austin Hohnke

9.0

Still one of my favorite Mencias. Plush and round with wild red and blue fruits, cedar, and an earthy undertone. Like Gamay and Cab Franc had a baby. Needs ample air to show all of its charm. — 2 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.7

I would invite you to find a bottle like this older & well stored 03, “The Sisters. “I would enjoy tasting this blind w/ Napa Cult wines & lovers. Then, watch their eyes open wide when I pulled off the brown bag. Many would call Colgin, Scarecrow, Harlan, Bond & the like etc.. I recently paid $50 for this 2003 at auction. That includes tax & auction fees. For vintage, they would call 10, 13 or 14. This is still youthful. Beautiful M+ somewhat rounded tannins, fruit buffet w/ dark pronounced spice. This has ten years plus left.

The palate is round, plush, phat fruits of; blackberries, black raspberries, plum, dark cherries, strawberries, purple fruits with blueberries. Dark, well pronounced spice, soft baking spices, sweet graphite, soft, fresh, tobacco notes, used leather warm, gray clay, river-stone, mocha, caramel notes, dry crushed rock, limestone marl, some dry top soil, dark, purple red fresh & withering florals, excellent, round acidity and a well made, balanced, beautifully structured and elegant finish that lasts minutes falling on elegant earth & spice.

TRB made wine. Stunning!!!! — 2 months ago

Ming L

9.3

Gentle nose of blackberry, raspberry, cassis, mocha, steeped red tea, leather, and hint of rusty iron. Medium to full body. Plush and warm on the palate with good acidic structure. Gripping tannins have started to mellow.

‘12 started a great run of excellent Napa vintages from the last decade. This just entered its drinking window and will continue to evolve over the next 8-10 year. — 5 months ago

Conrad Green

9.7

What a nose. Deep plush plummy fruit with violets, roses, bloodiness, iron. This is so lively and bright still. Very delineated and plush but with structure that makes everything shine. Lush and gorgeous. — 9 months ago

with Bex and David