Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Everything about this wine is DARK. Deep ruby/purple color bordering on black. Aromas of black and blue fruit, Asian spices and coffee. Flavors of cooked black berry/plum/currant fruit, bakers chocolate, tar and espresso. Hint of black pepper on the long, lingering and silky finish. Extremely concentrated with lively acidity. Tannins are firm but in harmony. This is a wine you quickly take notice of. Probably at (or just past) its peak. Thanks for the wonderful gift, Petey P! — 2 days ago

Samantha LeeAnn Sanders

10

Not too dry, and has a smooth finish. Great berry flavor. — 2 months ago

Joe L.

9.3

Sexy beast - cab sauv bright red fruit sour cherry high acid, supple tannins, lingering finish — 3 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Blend of Zinfandel, Petite Sirah and Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark ruby color with some purple highlights and a slightly garnet rim. Aromas of kirsch, dark chocolate and a slight hint of menthol. The palate notes dark plums, chocolate cake, beef jerky, tobacco and orange zest. A touch of baking spices on the long and lingering earthy finish. Medium-plus body, chewy tannins and firm texture. Great complexity. Appreciate you sharing, John P. — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Dark Ruby with dark berry fruit aromas adding earthy spice and cedar. On the palate this wine has complex flavors of blackberry and blueberry with licorice, cacao, oak and vanilla. Fine dusty tannins, peasant mouthfeel, full-bodied, long ending with a nice earthy spice finish. Aging well, good now, has room to run over short term. — a month ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.2

Mostly Petite Sirah with small amounts of Syrah, Grenache and other mixed Rhône varieties, aged 14 months in American oak, 19% new, very dark Ruby-purple with aromas of ripe dark fruits and an array of spices from cigar box to full spice cake. On the palate flavors of black cherry preserves and blackberry jam, layering in some licorice, leather, tobacco and black pepper spice. Savory grippy tannins, long finish ending with fruit, spice, oak and earthy character. A powerhouse! Decant first! — 18 hours ago

Jay Kline

9.1

Poured into a decanted about an hour prior to service and presented double-blind. The 2019 “Lily’s Garden” pours a deep garnet with a bit of purple and a near opaque core; medium+ viscosity with significant staining of the tears. On the nose the wine is developing with black bramble fruit, purple flowers, a touch of the animal and baking spices. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The alcohol is elevated; calling it high. The finish is medium+. I called Syrah from France, from the Northern Rhône, Croze-Hermitage from a recent warmer vintage like 2019. Dangit…I got the variety right but I should have considered Australia with the elevated alcohol. This is a fairly classic Aussie Shiraz that certainly gives off a French vibe but the fruit and alcohol give it away. Drink now through 2034. — 3 months ago

ESF

9.1

What’s not to like about this BDX blend from WA! Not overdone or overextracted (oak definitely there but integrated) but very generous aromatics & flavors on palate. Red & black fruit, warm spice, distinct cassis, minerality & earthiness like loam & soil goodness. Sturdy tannins, bit hi ABV - sometimes lumbering, but a really impressive & persistent finish. Bump for QPR — 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

Holly Zahn

9.7

Very smooth and no hangover! — 5 months ago