Jan de Weerd

9.6

Highlight of the night! And a surprise to some degree. I kind off had given up on Lynch Bages. Given the high price, to me, the 2015 and 2016 were below expectation. But, boy, this 2018 rung all bells. Super concentrated, layers of evolving dark cherry, blueberry, current flavors and a superb balanced finish. All one could wish for. — 6 days ago

with Tammy

Tom Garland

9.3

Happy New Year Delectable!

Double decant and pour. A splendid tawny red color. On the nose: dark fruit, cigar ash, cedar, smoked meat, pencil shavings, mint. Taste: soft, silky, elegant, still fresh wine with dark red fruit, worn leather, graphite, loamy soil, spiced herbs, minty black tea and a dry medium finish. YUM! What a fun wine to end 2024 with. A wine bought at auction, and a cork which was not in the best shape, so not sure if this is a true representation of where this wine is at.

FOOD:
Island creek oyster and cavier
Lobster butternut bisque
Pan roasted duck breast
Braised beef short rib
Black forest chocolate cake — 19 days ago

with Brenda

Neil Valenzuela

9.3

Deep purple color. Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, cassis and licorice. Loads of black fruit on the palate, cigar box and earthy finish. Very nice double magnum.

🏅97 Points - Robert Parker
🏅93-96 Points - Jeb Dunnuck — a month ago

Jonathan Wall

9.6

Perfect. Cork was perfect. Color perfect. Elegant. Long. Beautiful. 30 years! Happy New Year! — 25 days ago

Jay Kline

9.7

Of all the American red wines that participated in the Judgement of Paris, it could be argued that Monte Bello has shown the greatest propensity to age. In fact, I would go as far as it requires lengthy cellaring to extract its best. I’ve had the good fortune to drink a number of tremendous vintages of Monte Bello over the last several years and this one has got to be at or near the top of the lot.

Opened and poured into a decanter about an hour prior to service and enjoyed over the course of a few hours. The 1991 Monte Bello pours a deep ruby/purple color with an opaque core moving out towards a light ruby rim; medium+ viscosity with moderate staining of the tears and some signs of sediment. On the nose, the wine is developing (still!) with gorgeous notes of ripe and tart black currants, mixed bramble fruit, tobacco, some purple flowers, dill, mint, leather, earth, vanilla and associated baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. The structure remains tremendous which again, seems to indicate youth. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is super long and immensely satisfying. This is one of those wines that will outlive most humans. Drinking well now with a short decant but this has the gas to see 2061 with ease. — a day ago

Adam Kincaid

9.0

Drinking a 3L from 2013 in late ‘24. Love the big format bottles and aging potential. This could go a lot longer I think but is also fine to drink now.

Standard Caymus flavors and aromas that made the brand known. Dark inky crimson color. Blueberries and blackberry fruit mixed with vanilla alongside the tell-tale signs of wet band-aid. Great tannins, medium-to-big acidity, good long finish. Really nice. — a month ago

with Jillian

Tom Garland

9.2

Pop and pour. A splendid medium straw color. On the nose: asian pear, crisp apples, lemon rind, almonds, floral. Taste: chalky, oily, vibrant wine with lemon zest, white peach, saline, slate, and a mineral lime peel long finish. YUM! Nice compelling wine at 19 years. — 15 days ago

with Brenda

Ron Siegel

9.3

Still going strong with a little funkiness when 1st opened that quickly blew off showing red & black fruits, savory, brambly spices, earth, graphite & sweet wet tobacco — a month ago

Steven Lee

9.4

xmas 2024 wine 4. Light in color almost orange ruby. Nose of little roses, jasmin tea a mnd some orange rind. Tannin is still there but not so harsh. Red dates. — 25 days ago

Neil Valenzuela

10

Always a hit!

Medium straw color, small delicate bubbles. Aromas of citrus, apricot, eucalyptus and orange blossoms.

🏅95 Points - Robert Parker
🏅97 Points - James Suckling
🏅96 Points - Wine Spectator — a month ago