romo

8.9

Called Rioja. Super-dill coconut give-away. — 4 days ago

Jay Kline

9.3

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of 90 minutes. The 2012 pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of Montmorency cherry, blackberry, dill, toasted coconut, olive, zatar, and a touch of vanilla. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long. This only got better with air and might be my favorite young Tondonia since I first drank the 2006 vintage. Really good stuff already! Drink now with some patience and through 2042. — 2 months 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. — 3 months ago

Miyuki

9.3

Medium garnet, intensity aromas of strawberries, black cherry, dill, liquorice, butter scotch, sweet oak, vanilla, cloves, coconut oil. Dry, high acidity, medium plus tannins, high alcohol, full body. Pronounced flavor. Long finish. Outstanding. — 20 days ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2016 Reserva pours a deep ruby/purple with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart red and black fruits: black cherry, tobacco, cocoa, dill, vanilla and associated warm spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. This is a textbook, modern leaning and clean version of Rioja Reserva. Drink now through 2046. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2014 Reserva pours a deep ruby color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of tart and ripe red fruits, Morello cherry, dill, green olives, horse blanket, old wood and dry organic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and zippy. A super honest and traditional Rioja; a wine of character. It’s good on its own and even better with a variety of food. Drink now through 2034. — 4 months ago

Daniel veit

9.3

Delicious, bing cherry, dill and leather. — 10 months ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Best on Day 2. The 2018 pours a deep purple color with an impenetrable core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe black and red fruits: brambles, tobacco, purple flowers, dill, vanilla, baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+ and pretty decadent with a velvety texture. Drink now through 2033. — a month ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2020 Reserva pours a deep ruby/purple with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of ripe and tart dark fruits: blackberry, black cherry, toasted coconut, dill, vanilla, wood, and associated baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium+. Already balanced but the oak is playing a significant role at this stage (this is traditionally made Rioja Reserva we’re talking about). There is plenty of stuffing however and I expect this will become even more balanced with some time on its side. Want to see a wine under $20 that can age for 30 years? Welp, here you go. Drink now through 2050. — 3 months ago

Shay A

9.2

I don’t have much experience with the Bin 407 from Penfolds compared to others in the portfolio, but I was curious to see how this was drinking at 20yrs after recently getting locally for a steal.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Even knowing this is cab, I still expected a Penfolds Shiraz type aromatic, and while I didn’t exactly get that, the American Oak in the background alongside the ripe fruit do help bring Penfolds semi in to focus. This needed about 90mins in bottle to wake up…initially I was concerned I had missed a window as it was very stewed and fig dominant (not much fruit). The American Oak notes started appearing (faint coconut and dill) and then high toned red fruits. After 90mins, the palate bulked up and showed some black fruits, cassis, espresso, and even some Andes mint at the finish. Plenty of tannin too.

I’d open soon if you have any left, but give it some time to wake up. (Yes, the ‘94 Monte Bello was insanely good, as was the still young ‘06 Unico). — 6 months ago