Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.4

1998 vintage. Been waiting to taste this one again for over two decades. 1998 wasn't the best Napa Cab vintage. The best 98's were generally mountain fruit-like the Dunn Howell Mountain. When this was released back in the day, it was brawny, taut and tannic but still maintained balance. This Montelena 1998 Estate Cab was better than nearly everyone's 1997 (an acclaimed/excellent across the board) Napa cabs back then. FF 23 years later...surprise! Some things haven't changed. Decanted and tasted after 10 mins, 30 mins and 2 hrs. Excellent fill and cork. Throwing respectable sed. Massive color. Great aged, leathery nose. Still medium heavy bod. Baking chocolate, ripe plum and grilled beef in the flavor profile. Consistent performer through the entry, mid and back palate hoops without drop-off during the ceremony. Tannins still evident but well-integrated with the abundance of fruit. Not improving but this is rock steady and in a very sweet spot/top of the bell curve for at least another decade. It was worth the wait. 6.29.24. — 3 months ago

Paul J

9.0

Double Blind Wine Tasting. #4 ranked wine of the day. Disappointed as I love this producer and it was such a great vintage. I guessed right on the varietal but though it was an off vintage from a lower quality producer. Great nose, but stringy and medium minus depth. Fades quickly too. Maybe an off bottle? — 2 years ago

with Brooke and Geoff

Joe DAscoli

9.2

Very lovely. Well balanced. Tannins were nice and soft. Warm red fruits came off with some airtime and this was very pleasant to drink. Little rougher second day from ETO but still pretty good. Glad I waited on this bottle — 4 years ago

Paul Duprey

8.9

I’m baaaack! I’m sure no one missed me but I’ve been off the app for a while. Lots of life happening. So. Decided to jump back on due to a new to me Rose’ that I discovered. Germans can make wine! This is a wonderful deck wine with all types of food or by itself to celebrate the end of a long day. Everyone has described this wine spot on. For me though I get a slight hint of cinnamon on the end and the acidity is primo with smoked meats or a nice charcuterie! Love finding new gems! Enjoy. PS. I love this super-chilled but it is good at room temp as well. Thanks for putting up with the amateur!!! — 3 months ago

Brian Hearty

9.1

2019. We decided to make it an even longer three day weekend and take the afternoon off to head up to Old Westminster Winery to pick up our allocation. The Channery Hill was my favorite today of the Just the Reds flight. — 2 years ago

Sharon B

9.1

Celebrated the day with the day off and hibachi for dinner with the family. This wine is very tannic but yet very fruit forward as well. 🥳 — 2 years ago

Ted

9.0

Just sitting in a blueberry patch pulling them off the vines. Purple velvet in color. More green vegetables on day 2. — a year ago

with Jeni

Willie Carter

8.9

A really pretty dark garnet color in the glass, almost impenetrable. The nose is very interesting and lovely, especially as time passes. Black and red cherries with some soft vanilla. There’s a bit of coffee and cigar smoke. On day two, chocolate and floral notes come to the fore. Earthy and fruity in equal measure.

This starts off as a very well balanced, quite nice wine but becomes so much more if you can let it grow into itself a little bit. Full bodied but not clunky. Smooth with vibrant energy. Soft tannins and nicely dry. On the palate you’ll find tobacco and chocolate with dark fruits. A nice streak of spice brings us on home to the long finish. This is no novelty, it’s just good wine. — 2 years ago

Jan de Weerd

9.1

Highly touted but a bit disappointing. Second fermenting flavors of lactic acid were very present and threw the wine off balance. It settled more the second day. Strong notes of Vanilla. — 3 years ago

with Tammy

Al Doyle

8.9

Going towards being a little too reductive for me, second day after opening was definitely better, edges rounded off. — 4 years ago