John Roselli

9.2

I keep coming back to this one. Had it with a spicy chicken and broccoli stir-fry while listening to a live recording of Radu Lupu playing a Bach prelude & fugue (BWV 867). Each made the others more enjoyable. — 6 months ago

Aaron Tan

9.2

Kumeu River’s highly touted similarity to its French counterparts has by now been repeated so many times on various avenues that one might think it’s all just a marketing sham. On the contrary, there’s good reason for the claim, which was evident in this 17’ Maté’s Vineyard - blinded, it smelled and tasted so much like a Chassagne or Puligny… and dare I say… 1er cru. Serious nose which still needs time to integrate all the toasty oak characters. Aromas of white peaches and nectarines, ginger, some reduction, and hints of chamomile. On the palate, massive concentration with textures and length to match. Good acidity which gives it a mineral feel too. Honestly, it’s hard to call this a wine from New Zealand even after the reveal. Really impressive. Will look for older samples next. — a year ago

Ed Chin

9.4

Ok I’m a sucker for a slight herbaceous green pryazine whatever you want to call it element. I think it adds some character and makes it more interesting  — 3 years ago

Steve S.

9.2

We call this Mum’s win because she loved this one. Love you Mum. — a year ago

Michael Chelus

9.1

Black currant, raspberry preserves, blackberry, licorice, cherry and oak. Full-bodied and soft tannins. — a year ago

"Odedi"

9.2

Dark ruby in color with a wide reddish rim. This 7 year old is showing a great nose now.

Dry on the palate with medium plus acidity.

Showing red and black fruits with wood, earth, herbs, spices, wild flowers, chocolates, leather, tobacco leaf, dark coffee and black pepper.

This is a delicious, yet very young, Sangiovese from Chianti. Nicely balanced, powerful and tangy.

This 2016 vintage holds great promise for aging gracefully over the next two decades. However, at present, it has yet to fully reach its full potential. Would be nice to revisit it in 5 years.

Would have been nice to have it decanted for a few hours, but it wasn't my call. I had it blind, so it is what it is.

I paired it with a Charcuterie board of meats and cheeses.

100% Sangiovese grapes.

14% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$350. — 2 years ago

Jay Kline

9.5

Flight #2 of our 1997 Retrospective and these were the thoroughbreds. Presented single-blind; no formal notes. Wine #2 had great color, was developing, fresh, focused, balanced; great structure. One of those glasses of wine you didn’t want to end and, for me, a tough call for favorite of the flight along with Wine #1. I vacillated between this being Dominus or Monte Bello; ultimately calling the former. This is in a beautiful phase of life. Monte Bello is one of those wines that needs decades to show its best. Drink now through 2040. — 9 months ago

Veronica S

9.2

Wonderful. Ripe blackberries, plums; bark, lots of tannins, still quite a bit of acidity; mouth puckering, delicious. Wouldn’t call it smooth because it’s got more years to go to get even smoother. — 2 years ago

Joe Weinberger

9.1

Best bottle of this yet. Very tasty. — 2 years ago

Shay A

9.4

Christmas Eve bottle. Paired wonderfully with honey glazed ham and bacon & green chili hash brown casserole!

Jan 2019 disgorgement. Before opening, this evokes tasting notes of Ulysse Collin’s rosé (a true favorite of mine). The frosted bottle, the deep color, and even the initial aromatics. From across the room, you’d likely call this red burgundy. When diving in to it, notes of licorice, cinnamon, cardamom and rhubarb come to mind. Catches you off guard. On the palate, it’s super vinous and dense, yet has so much classical meunier notes of gummy red fruits, floral notes of violets, and a unique sugar frosted cranberry note toward the finish. What sets this apart from most is the finish when paired with food...it turns almost savory and there is zero sweetness or tart notes. Any type of food seems to make this infinitely better. There is tannin and weight too, which has this drinking like a red burg when the right food pairing is taking place. Delicious, and a no brainer for buying again. — 4 years ago