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. — 3 months ago

Doug Powers

9.3

Just lovely black plummy fruit, some minerality as well, shows very youthful appearance and flavors, like the Bouscasse VV, 12.5% ABV and shows great freshness and no overripeness, long finish, back when I was actively tasting and following CA red wines, I loved the balance of the 1995 vintage, super fine with years to go, bravo to Patrick C!! — 2 years ago

with Jim

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! — 4 years ago

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. — 5 months ago

Steve Mitchell

9.2

Medium tannins, full bodied, balanced Cabernet .Nutty , earthy paired with a prime rib.
— 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. — 4 years ago

with Bonnie

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

I haven’t really enjoyed this producer due to how much ABV it shows, This was the first time it didn’t burn the back of my throat. Still big and dark. It’s a 30 plus year wine. — 7 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. — 2 years 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. — 3 years ago

Ken Venezio

9.2

This is old school Ladera back when the Stotesbury fam had the winery. Quintessential Howell Mtn. Inky in the glass with florals and cocoa and black/blueberry on the palate. Soft and elegant finish. Needed a good hour decant but this 10 yr bottle age did wonders. — 5 years ago