Jay Kline

9.5

Opened the evening prior at 7pm and double-decanted; the bottle was left at room temp with the cork pressed lightly back into the neck until service. The 2000 pours a deep garnet color with a near opaque core and a slightly water rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some sediment. On the nose, the wine is vinous and showing some real power with a compelling combination of ripe and desiccated fruit: dark brambles, cassis, leather, dill, olives, spiced meat, tobacco and soft baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannins and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and whoa is it ever delicious. This has to be one of the wines of the vintage. Drink now through 2040. — 13 days ago

Delectable Wine

Follow to learn about our favorite wines & people.

9.5

Tasting the 1990 Léoville Las Cases just a few days after the 1989, it is clear which is the best vintage…this one. It has a sublime nose of melted black fruit, tar, cedar and bay leaf that shrugs off the heat of that summer better than most others. At 33 years of age, you could just lose yourself in these aromatics. The palate is clearly holding up well: beautifully defined and supple yet with typical Las-Cases backbone and depth. It builds magnificently in the glass toward a harmonious finish that reminds me of the 1985 in terms of its fleshiness. Wonderful. Tasted at the Lia's Wings/book dinner at Medlar restaurant. (Neal Martin, Vinous, December 2023)
— 6 months ago

Aaron Rankin

9.3

Posted this bottle before. All I’ll say is how well it’s aged. This isn’t going anywhere yet I can’t resist drinking it at this stage. — 2 years ago

David Shaw

9.0

Last bottle of vintage — 6 days ago

Kurt Schuster

9.1

 Incredibly light, almost see-through clear, went perfectly with the slow roasted leg of lamb. We had along with its black garlic and mushroom sauce. Perfect example of drink wine, and eat food from the same location they came from.  — 2 months ago

with Denise

Thomas

9.0

This is a $11 bottle and it’s a very nice smooth white wine. Had it with some garlic shrimp and a perfect pair. I’d say B+ as not a lot of excitement but it’s a nice even flavor from start to finish. — 7 months ago

Shay A

9.2

Wanting to open one of these for a friend who is a fan, I pop and poured half the bottle, then corked and enjoyed the rest later in the evening.

I had the D&R Rodnick Mourvèdre early this year and was a bit underwhelmed. This Evangelho was much more lively, fresh and floral. This reflects much more of the D&R style (carbonic flair, crunchy bright fruits) than it does varietal (not meaty/savory in any way). Translucent purple in the glass with violets and sweet carbonic aromatics. The palate sports underripe blue and black fruits up front but the finish turns very herb crusted black cherry and dried cranberry. Zippy acidity. Fun and easy to drink. — 3 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2018 vintage. Oak a little showier than last visit 4.20.24. *Full disclosure* Probably my favorite CA cabernet for QPR purposes-year in, year out-since the early 90's. Not inexpensive, yet, in a world of ridiculous CA cab pricing, this is a bargain. Had I storage space and projected lifespan, would pick up two cases and crack a bottle every year starting in 2028. Some overt baby fat/oak to dissipate in anticipation. Currently, wanting more structure and depth but, given the track record with this wine/producer, it's enroute. 5.29.24. — a month ago

Victor Hsu

9.3

Privileged to sample the 2016 Monte Bello at the winery as part of their Library offerings. The bottle is $375 at the winery. Tight and tannic after 8 years (and half an hour of decanting) but promising much more. Josh at the winery concedes that it’s in a dumb phase but should reach its peak in 20-30 years. I could analyze and pick apart this one for hours. — 4 months ago

Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.2

The Salvador vnd from contra costa is always one of my favorite turley wines. So expressive from those sandy soils.
On the nose it could be nothing other than zin. It is so suave and silky. Not a hard edge to be found. Just a really easy and pleasing bottle of wine. Like a living poet, it requires little fanfare. — 2 years ago