Ericsson

9.2

This wine needs time. Time in the bottle, in a decanter, or time in the glass at the very least (it gets more approachable by the minute, trust me). This is big, bold and bountiful; with the fruit, the body, the tannins and even the finish. Just pair with something just as big. — 19 days ago

Andrea Watt

9.5

I love this wine. Crisp citrus and oak with round pear and vanilla. Holds up well to food but enjoyable on its own. — a month ago

David D

9.3

Legit delicious and one of the best I’ve had in a while. Mellow and lush, great rounded acids and softened tannins. Good tar, cocoa powder, prunes, stewed mushroom, soil, dried roses and violets, touch of vanilla. Decanted 4 hours before opening. Probably from Flatiron Wines? Happy Valentine’s Day. 02/14/2025 — 2 days ago

Scott Rapacki

9.3

Cheers to 50 years and Valentines Day!!
— a day ago

with Adrienne

David White

9.3

This is the third bottle each two years apart and this opened very nicely after about an hour or so
I’ve increasingly liked this wine although given it the same rating
It’s well structured aromatic and just an all round good expression of well made Central Otago Pinot
Probably open the next three each with a year or less further age — a month ago

Mark S.

9.0

After one hour, vanilla, black currant.blue and black berries. Red flower. Juicy. Concentration. Sweet with elegancy Caymus 21 @, 240118 — a month ago

Abbas Zand

9.0

Grassy & herbal aromas. Full bodied. Nice & not too acidic. Grass, grapefruit, lime, and herbal notes, some tropical/passion fruit flavors. Stoney minerality.
$26 — 8 hours ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

Blend 95% Cabernet Sauv, 2% Merlot, 2% Petit Verdot, splash of Malbec, more cab heavy than prior vintages, deep Ruby, aromas of ripe black and red fruits with floral and earthy notes. On the palate flavors of cherry, blackberry, currants and licorice with vanilla, cacao, cedar and savory herbs. Long finish, well balanced, full tight rich tannins ending with fruit, cedar and earthy character. Nice! — 14 days ago

Galen Hasler

9.2

Complex flavors of chamomile, melon, white stone fruits with skin contact structure, dry and crisp — a month 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 month ago