Shay A

9.5

One of the wines I supplied for an annual lunch hosting (co-host this time). I was really hesitant to open this given the fanfare of this specific wine, but also how DrCrane can be an in-between wine for me (so explosive young, shut down at 5-10yrs, re-open 10+). Decanted two-three hours.

Classic deep purple-black DrCrane in the glass. Aromatics are immediate with ripe blue and black fruits, baking spices, mocha and graphite. Just a little bit of high-toned EA to make it pop, along with this roasted character I always get from DrCrane wines. Opulent and polished in every way on the palate, this is a tidal wave of flavor with no hard edges. It’s a towering wine in the sense of so much concentration and depth on the mid-palate, but it’s so incredibly polished at the finish…almost shockingly so. The ripe fruits and the dark chocolate linger longer than any Napa cab I can remember. Iron first in a velvet glove.

No need to worry, these are open for business. Plenty of structure to carry a while, but this window seems like it was made for how this wine is drinking now. — 6 days ago

Tom Casagrande

9.2

Super earthy at first, but with air the fruit/earth balance is equilibrating. Loads of irony/clay notes in the nose, with dark plummy fruit. Tannins are integrating but still present. This presents more like a 20th Century right bank wine than what is usual now, with fruit and softness but no overripeness and a nice sense of restraint. — 9 days ago

with Rebecca

Ron Siegel

9.2

Great vintage that needed some air to open to reveal its dark cherry, berry fruit, lots of Dujac spice, crushed rock mineral & violets — 3 days ago

Bruce Leboff

9.3

A crowd pleaser. A touch of Cali cab sweetness A no send crushed rose petals and blackberry. A scintilla of tobacco and lavender. A little wood on the palate. Well restrained. Drinking well - with lots of life left. NI’m brush on this one — 11 days ago

with David

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

We think something has changed at Montrose after the departure of Jean Bernard Delmas. Its not a bad wine by any means but the style is modern and extracted. At ten years this ie very drinkable and great quality but does not speak to its terroir as it used to. Hope its just one year… — 2 days ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Nathan Renfro

9.6

Lovely wine! Beautifully balanced. Soft well integrated tannins. Ripe red and black fruit. Drinking very well with just a short decant. — 2 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

This bottle had been opened the night before. The 2021 pours a deep ruby/purple color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe black and red fruits: mixed brambles, purple flowers, olives, black pepper, stony earth and a mix of cool and warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium+ acidity. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and peppery. True to the vintage, this is a cooler expression of Chave’s Saint Joseph and I really dig it. Drink now through 2041. — 14 days ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (54%), Merlot (34%) and Petite Verdot (12%). Dark ruby color with purple highlights. Aromas of ripe plums, black olives, dark chocolate and smoky cedar. Black cherry and plum fruit flavors lead the palate with additional hints of cranberry, black pepper, graphite and tobacco. Long, mineral laiden and smoky finish. Mouth coating structure and very firm tannins. Vibrant acidity keeps this wine pretty well balanced here in its youth. Very powerful and concentrated. Will continue to improve with more bottle age. — 14 days ago

Stefan Dolhain

9.4

2016 vintage. 55% Cabernet Sauvignon and 45% Merlot. Like many wines from this excellent vintage, starting to close a little bit. Everything is there, but will need a bit of patience to fully shine. — 6 days ago

Conrad Green

9.6

A plush, meaty open nose. Dark plum and underbrush. Some iodine and a serious, brooding midpalate. Great balance and poise, and settled. Fantastic — 9 days ago

with Paul and Ara