John W

9.4

Deep ruby coloration. On the nose, bell pepper, forest floor, herbs, and dark cherry. On the palate, blueberry, dark berry, cassis, pepper, spice, toasted oak, vanilla, chocolate, and a long finish. Full bodied, rich and balanced. — 4 months ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

1992 vintage. Very, very close to Japanese auction market quality with fill, cork, capsule and label nearly immaculate. Decanted and tasted immediately and over the course of 3 hours. Expected amount of sed. What a ride! Having tasted this back in the day when first released, recalled an unusual (for this property) amount of richness in the frontal palate. Wasn't there initially but rolled in for a cameo approx 45 mins after decant. Then...vanished at the 1 hour open mark. First whiff of the nose was fresh, clay kitty litter. This morphed into graphite after 15-20 mins. Body was surprisingly light early on, then fattened up after 30-40 mins to medium status. Impressions were of a leaner effort, then things got positively jammy with unexpected fruit hither and yon. This remained for approx 1.25 hours, then the entire performance, body included, thinned out with their old-school, estate-expected, aged leather punch combined with dark-skinned fruit, mountain grip and a little touch of grey sea salt. No food involved during the experience. The 1991 Montelena Estate Cab is nearest and dearest but this following vintage was an absolute, palate-bending acid(ity) trip. Looking forward to the next trip...er...show. 11.25.23. — a year ago

Loren Grossman

Vintner Wilde Farm Wines

9.5

Consistent with my last notes. Bramble mountain fruit, violets, black pepper. Complete and integrated front to back, including the fine tannins at the finish. Wonderful wine. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Opened a day prior and poured into a wide bottom decanter for several hours before returning to the bottle overnight. Double-decanted again prior to service and then enjoyed over the next three days. The wine pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is youthful with notes of tart and ripe black currants, a mix of black and red bramble fruit, dried leaf tobacco, crushed rock and a vast array of minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry and still exhibiting fairly massive structure. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. There is a sneaky density to this wine that indicates this is very special and yet, compared to my experience back in 2019, this seems recalcitrant. Regardless, this is a classically structured Cabernet Sauvignon. I have one bottle remaining and won’t plan to touch it until closer to 2030. — 5 months ago

Shengli Hu

9.3

A most beautiful ethereal Zinfandel that hearkens back to the old Napa Zins back in the 60s and 70s. A mixed black field blend of Zinfandel, Carignan, Petit Sirah. Vines were first planted in 1895, 1995 was the first vineyard (as John O didn’t care for any grapes other than Pinot Noir…) Barrels passed from from the Pinot Noir program. Aged for 18 months. Medium concentration. Pale bright ruby. Red crunchy cherry, white pepper, bread dough, blueberry pie, cedar, pencil shaving, hints of stony characters. Elevated acidity and medium-grained tannins. Med++ finish. I love how light it is on its feet and I would have never called it a Zinfandel if given in a blind tasting. — 3 years ago

Scott Kahn

9.2

Twos year later from my last tasting reaffirms my last rating. Still amazingly soft for a Cabernet; the tannic structure reveals itself on the back palette. Dark fruit and leather - some more time opening would improve the experience. Beautiful balance; we are enjoying sans food but some red meat would complement nicely! — 5 years ago

Norman Gennaro

9.3

Hard not to love and yes you can love something that can’t love you back. Sorry mom but that’s not true. Love it. — 9 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Small production, 150 cases, aged 11 months in French oak, 35% new. Met winemaker David Rossi who makes small batches by buying fruit from top vineyards and using a shared winery for crafting his small batch wines. Deep Ruby with a full range of berry aromas with wafts of earthy notes. On the palate blackberry & ripe cherry with oak and subtle spice. Fine tannins, lingering ending with fruit and some dusty spice. Nice now but let’s see if it aged well. I’ll grab a bottle and put it aside. Check back! — a year ago

Bruce Dunbar

8.9

Released Fall ‘21. A a blend of Zin and other varietals from two vineyards high up in Howell Mountain. The 2019 was inky purple with a surprisingly vanilla/creamy nose. This carried through to the palate but it also had a great back-end kick loaded with bright berries and soft tannins. Another very good player in the Turkey line up. — 3 years ago

Donald Williams

9.1

Wellington 2006 week drawing to a close with a spectacular Cab. Three single vineyard Cabs from a wine.woot offer back in 2012, and a single vineyard Zin, all from the 2006 vintage. It’s been a week of superb food and equally superb wine. — 5 years ago

with Bonnie