Bob McDonald

9.7

I had this a week ago but didn’t take any notes at all at a friends tasting last Sunday afternoon. Have always been a huge fan of Dominus and this was from an exceptional vintage. I recall an excellent left bank Cabernet dominant style but presented as a Napa style - rich and plush but not overly so. Thoroughly enjoyable. — a month ago

Carter Pelham

9.7

Shared with close friends - everyone’s first Monte Bello, and a great one at that.

Took this bottle out to share at a local fine dining establishment, to pour it blind for our friends. Wrapped neatly in foil. We get seated and explain to our waiter. “The bottle MAY be a little bit older so take care with the cork,” I said, not wanting to give away the age to our friends. He proceeds to break the cork about halfway down, right through. No big deal. He’s a younger guy and I think a little flustered, he goes off to get assistance.

Comes back with another server. As the guy walks back up, I say “Thanks for helping us with our mystery bottle”, clueing him in on the idea that there’s a reason that we have it wrapped in foil. “Would have been nice to know it was an older vintage wine,” he replied brusquely. Ok… Server 2 digs around for a bit with an ah-so before punching the cork into the drink. Oh well. None of us are really phased by this, it happens.

They grab a strainer from the bar. Server 2 starts pouring at a decanter and immediately the first glass or so just goes everywhere on the table. I start to die inside. He remains silent. Gets on target with the rest of the bottle, finishing pouring, and says “Your 2004 Ridge Cabernet”, purposefully ruining the blind tasting, I guess. Walks away without another word, leaving his mortified coworker to clean up his mess and apologize.

This actually happened. On to the wine:

Beautiful medium opacity ruby with no browning.

Smells like a Pauillac on the nose. Blackcurrants, blackberry, black licorice, slight graphite, and damp tobacco. As the night goes on it reveals dill, vanilla, buttered toast, and slight dry woodsy notes.

The wine is surprisingly light in body, very much a claret. The tannins are silky, finely woven, and extremely integrated. The main thing we notice on the palate is that the wine is so perfectly integrated it is a little difficult to pull individual notes out of it. Expansive over the palate without being weighty. The finish is forever.

A memorable evening. — 3 years ago

with Linh and Sarah

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

I like to thank @Severn Goodwin for his kindness & generosity for sending this beautiful bottle of Champagne.

We shared this with friends and paired this with apple walnut vinaigrette salad last night. Complimented the salad nicely. It was a nice yin and yang balanced tug of war of food & wine.

The body is beautiful in the mouth with nice acidity. Bruised apple & pear, some apple cider, pineapple juice, lime zest & candy, white peach, easy, soft chalkiness, soft, fine, grey volcanic minerals, sea spray, brioche with spring flowers and yellow lilies. Finishes softly, elegant, nicely balanced and persists nicely.

Photos of; the house of Caillez Lemaire, bottles waiting to sold, Current 18th century family Owners - Virginie and Laurent Van Poperinghe and one of their vineyards. — 5 years ago

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.4

15 person Champagne tasting with friends.

First time having their 06. Good but not nearly as stunning as their 02. Excellent mix of reductive & oxidative qualities. — a year ago

Scott Soren

9.8

Rich and opulent. This 100pt behemoth showed off its true colors. While young it exuded everything one could hope for from this famed estate. Deep black fruit with smooth tannin structure. Cassis and pencil shavings with hints of coco. Smooth as a babies bottom. Long lingering finish. More please — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

At an old friends place in Scarborough on Moreton Bay having a wonderful seafood meal. The nose is textbook Art Series with ripe grapefruit, citrus and pear Toasty notes. The palate shows that rich oak is resolving with the powerful fruit - profound intensity which is a great match with the mornay seafood. Great persistence and length in this 3rd of 6. Hope I have the patience to have just one each year until 2024. — 4 years ago

Deborah M

9.2

Pulled this one for “Thirsty Thursday” WebEx social time with a few friends. Beautiful Napa Cab that didn’t disappoint. Second wine with great QPR. Dark fruit. Smooth tannins. Bright acidity. Really opened up nicely after an hour in the decanter. I need to find more of this one. — 5 years ago

Daniel M

8.9

No notes. Week of hosting friends at home. Superb vinho Verde with great value, nice minerality and pureness of the acid backbone. Will recommend 👍🏻 — a year ago

Evelyn Frison

9.0

Extreme value.
BF that knows wine: There are wines that you’d only date and there are wines you’d want a relationship with and this is a relationship wine.
Not too fussy, very consistent, medium bodied but with some spice. Financial goals are aligned. Not a trophy wife wine - but someone you’d be proud to introduce to your friends .

Me: 👀 idk what that’s description is about bc I’m in this relationship and those characteristics don’t describe me. But my thoughts: I’d buy again and it pairs well with White Lotus. I’m going to bring it to my “2023 intention setting dinner” with a group of girlfriends. Will update if it pairs well with intentions. — 2 years ago

Justin Hart

9.4

Still doing great after 11 years. This could easily go another 2-3 years I think. Dark purple with faint hints of oxidation starting to show up. Plum, cherry, cola, tobacco, notes of coco, cassis, and blackberry on the palate. A hint of vegetal greenness on the nose, but otherwise plum and floral notes on the nose followed by tobacco and pepper. — 4 years ago

with Cherish and Jen