Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Monticello Vineyards – Corley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon – 2000
Napa Valley – California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Crafted by Chris Corley, winemaker and co-owner of the Corley Family Vineyards, this 2000 Corley Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is a testament to Napa Valley’s age-worthiness. Produced in less than 500 cases, it hails from a near-perfect growing season that made Vintage 2000 a standout year for red wines across Napa. Two and a half decades on, it remains vibrant, layered, and refined, an icon of both terroir and winemaking.

Aromas & Flavors
Concentrated red berry fruit, blackcurrant, cherry compote, intertwined with notes of dark chocolate, baking spices, cedar, and a touch of tobacco. Secondary and tertiary notes of leather and earth reveal its graceful evolution.

Mouthfeel
Lusciously textured, full-bodied, and elegantly structured. Tannins are still firm but beautifully integrated, carrying the fruit and spice into a long, enduring finish.

Food Pairings
Best with celebratory pairings: dry-aged ribeye, braised short ribs, truffled mushroom risotto, or even on its own as a meditation wine.

Verdict
A classic Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon that proves great vintages and craftsmanship can stand the test of time. Silky, structured, and profound, this bottle is living history in a glass.

Did You Know?
The 2000 vintage in Napa Valley was marked by a long, even growing season with mild weather, ideal conditions that helped produce wines with ripe fruit, balanced acidity, and excellent tannic structure, now showing beautifully after 25 years.
— an hour ago

David S. Lopez

9.2

This wine is a testament to the “buy the vintage” concept. Back when I couldn’t really afford cellear-able wines, I heard that 2010 was a great vintage for a Bordeaux and bought this at Trader Joe’s. I kept it cellared until now. The wind poured a deep, reddish purple in the glass. I aerated it and let it sit for nearly an hour after that. Although its nose was moderate, the flavors were fantastic. Strawberry, cranberry, other dried fruit. The tannins were intense. With a fairly decent finish. This is all I could hope for from a bottle of Bordeaux. I will probably be revisiting this winery, since it’s so easy through Trader Joe’s. The wine was a perfect accompaniment to the grass fed ribeye steaks we paired it with. Talk about a great deal for just probably $12-$13 at Trader Joe’s. #bordeauxrouge #saintemilion #redwine #traderjoes #rightbank #rightbankbordeaux — 2 years ago

Philip Patston

9.2

Very enjoyable, dark, a little earthy. I will def get again as it’s a good change from the usual. — 4 years ago

David White

9.5

I’d forgotten about this which I bought many moons ago as part of a vertical of Albert’s.
The 2005 was one of their earliest vintages and having “found” it thought it was probably outside its drinking window. Lots of sediment and crust had lined inside bottle much like a Henschke Mount Edelstone, decanted and it opened up after a couple of hours and it was beautifully smooth and integrated package of flavours.
I have a 2005 Edelstone which I’ll open soon but the Albert evolved over the evening and is an excellent testament to Kym Teusner’s work. — 4 months ago

Ming L

9.2

The Clásico is quite new world in style, just like the Macán, its senior sibling. It’s more concentrated and has a bit more depth than the 18’ Macán, a testament to the excellent 19’ vintage in Rioja. — 7 months ago

VR

9.2

hvala vam lipa — 2 years ago

Andy Stabile

9.0

Tobacco, cran, some plum. Big fruit. Solid

With John & Sue, who just got to town…

Update… just noticed I had trouble rating this wine in Italy… as I thought, a testament to the quality of the wine I was drinking there, that against others I had this a couple notches lower. — 4 years ago

Nicola Conlon

10

Favourite red of all time! Pairs very well with food! Good for a relaxing evening — 4 months ago

Brian

9.0

2017 vintage on April 20, 2025 — 6 months ago

Conrad Green

9.6

The noise in this is amazing given its age. Dark plum, mocha, some funk, some wild brambly fruit, a hint of acetone. In the palate this is still rich and has some iodine and dark minerality. Unbelievable given its age. What an incredible testament to Unico. Delicious — 2 years ago

with Tony and David