Gift from Wes Gentle — 18 days ago
Really good! — 2 days ago
Always a favorite — 24 days ago
2022 vintage. Nice enuff in the front and mid-palates with plenty of fruit, spice and richness. Dwindles on the finish and, like nearly all 2022's from Napa, missing that kapow/blammo at the end. 8.19.26. Missed the 2021 and haven't seen the 2023 but feel like they'll come through with the goods. 8.19.26. — a month ago
It is time for some Merlot on this #MerlotThursday. Let's bring Merlot back!
Deep purple in color with a short reddish rim.
Fruity nose of black currants, black plums, light cedar, black tea, tobacco leaf, spices and light chocolate notes.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with black plums, cooked cherries, currants, oak, light licorice, spices, dark chocolates, bitter herbs and peppercorn.
Tangy finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
This Merlot from Napa Valley is still very young, but already enjoyable, even by itself. Rich and fruit forward. Nicely balanced and tangy. Showing nice complexity already, tangy and interesting.
Will continue to age nicely in the next 7 to 10 years, and has good potential to become a 93+ point wine.
Wine Spectator 92 points.
Good by itself as a sipping wine or with food.
A blend of 78% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Malbec and 1% Cabernet Franc. Aged for 15 months in (40% new) French Oak barrels.
14.5% alcohol by volume.
91 points.
$45. — a month ago
California eureka tasting — 10 days ago
Opened about 90min prior to service; enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 2001 Monte Bello pours a deep garnet with a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with lovely notes of black currants, blackberries, plum, tobacco, purple flowers, an intoxicating mix of exotic Eastern spices, some cocoa, inorganic earth and minerals. On the palate? The wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is long and impeccably balanced. To my palate, this bottle has reached the age when Monte Bello starts to really become interesting. What a delight! Drink now with some air, through 2051. — a month ago
#fourpack #brunellodimontalcino — a month ago
Special evening with friends. Well balanced smooth finish — a month ago
Beautiful Pinot! Drank with customers at Isidore in San Antonio. Favorite wine of the night! — 6 days ago
What a treat to serve this with a couple of steaks fresh off the grill and a chipotle-flavored tomato bread salad. This wine elevated the meal and delighted our guests! — 25 days ago
Really excellent. Fantastic with steak. Classic cab — a month ago
Ira Schwartz

Despite a nine year difference the color of the wines were very similar. There were no doubt that the wines were siblings, the DNA was very clear. On the nose, they were twins with the younger sibling demonstrating more intensity, but the exact same scents. It was on the palate where differences showed up. The fruit had a slightly darker profile along with cassis, cigar box and cedar. Slightly more tannins that did not impede a long finish which did not show any hint of alcohol. Very supportive acidity. There is no rush to drink. — a day ago