Shay A

9.2

I picked up a couple ‘88s recently as I’m always looking for birth year wines and opted to open this one first. Rough label, but provenance was great.

Consumed from bottle over the course of two hours. After 10-20mins of blowing off so 30+yr funk, this became a total surprise! Faded ruby with bricking but that’s the only sign that this had age. Aromatics sported sweet cherry tobacco, older floral/potpurri, and a mix of red and black berry fruits. Juicy and vibrant on the palate! Shocked. Core of red and black fruits carry the profile with fig, herbs and a little bit of leather. Good spine of acidity here. Not much tannin at the finish, but it’s classically old Napa merlot. Drink up and enjoy! — 7 days ago

Jeroen Koenen

9.6

Wow….
Served blind, of course. So alive and complex and smooth. Just great. — 3 days ago

Alexandre Pagliano

9.2

We think something has changed at Montrose after the departure of Jean Bernard Delmas. Its not a bad wine by any means but the style is modern and extracted. At ten years this ie very drinkable and great quality but does not speak to its terroir as it used to. Hope its just one year… — 2 days ago

with Jose, veronique and 1 other

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Blend of 76% Merlot, 22% Cab Sauv and 2% Cab Franc, deep Ruby with aromas of rich berry fruit and earthy spice tones. On the palate flavors of rich blackberry and ripe cherry with sweet spice, licorice and cedar notes. Fine tannins, long finish ending with oak, fruit and mineral character. Good to drink now, will age some. — 20 days ago

Raul Puga

9.4

Young but after a three hour decant it was amazing — 10 days ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

From 375ml. @Lira Restaurant The Chef is the Gordon Ramsey winner.

Resolved, velvety M+ tannins. Ruby fruits of; blackberry pie, black raspberries, blueberries, both plums, dark cherries & raspberries. Dark chocolate bar, slightly moist tobacco, sandalwood to barrel shavings, dry top soil, dry crushed rocks, black licorice, sweet tarriness, dry herbs, light cinnamon, clove, vanillin, mocha, dry, volcanic clay, dark, withering flowers, some lavender framed in violets, excellent round acidity with incredible, balance, perfectly tensioned, softly structured, elegance finish that lasts a full minute. — 11 days ago

Paul J

9.3

This wine is so inconsistent it’s annoying!!

1hr+ decant. Dark red, dark maroon color with slight bricking. Caramel, alcohol, absinthe, and cedar on the nose. Fruit is more prevalent on the palate and very deep wine. Finish is okay with some tea elements.

Not my style, but I’m sure some love it. — 10 days ago

with Brooke

Deb Hadley

9.2

Full bodied soft tannins and rich with dark fruit and a light spice finish. Paired beautifully with beef ( steak and short ribs). Will look for this again!!! — 14 days ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

9.3

2022 vintage. Medium heavy body with a feminine-styled effort so plenty of smoke, cocoa powder and blueberry. Tannins not even hanging out on the corner and no visible storefront or corresponding street truck. Waay too young but still waay too delish at this point. 67% Cab, 30% Merlot, 3% (combined) CF and PV. 03.12.25. — 20 days ago

"Odedi"

9.4

#AgedWineTuesday

Inky in color with a short purple rim.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Showing blackberries, cooked cherries, dried fruits, cedar, vanilla, Mediterranean spices, tobacco leaf, light earth, herbs, chocolates and black pepper.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy cherries.

This 15 year old still feels young, but drinking beautifully now. Nicely balanced and powerful, yet elegant.

Needed 5 hours to open up properly, but was good right out of the bottle too.

Rich and extracted. Fruit forward with nice complexity. Showing a great experience at this point.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

14.5% alcohol by volume.

94 points.

$300. — 14 days ago