Double decanted ~3-4 hours before serving. Full, ripe nose that is still fairy primary and non-delineated with notions of plum and herbal notes. The palate has smooth plush fruit with some medicinal herbal notes. Structure seems more resolved/resolving here relative to the 95, 97 and 99. This seems to be the most forward and ready, relative to the other wines from the 90s.

Double decanted ~3-4 before dinner. Gorgeous nose of ripe rich plum, spice, some American oak, and hints of bell pepper. The palate has well concentrated and mouth filling plum fruit. Lively acids keep this fresh and long. Finish has terrific nuance of herb, spice and rich black fruit. Youthful in this lineup and in a riper (but still balanced, restrained) style. Long life ahead -- I'd comfortably age 10+ years.

Double decanted ~3-4 hours prior to dinner. Quite different than the '94 and '97 tasted side-by-side. This is a far lighter, more elegant and Bordeaux-like. Beautiful, lifted aromatics of dried plum with loads of bell pepper and tobacco leaf. A leaner and lighter palate but very flavorful with leafy and bell pepper-filled plum fruit. Lots of fresh acids that extend the length. Suave tannin provides some grip. Should age gracefully for 10+ years.

Popped and slow-oxed ~3-4 hours before dinner. Full, elegant, complex nose of mature plum fruit, bell pepper, menthol, tobacco. Serious aromatic intensity and lift. The palate shows quite vibrant and fresh, and holds this energy for 2+ hours over dinner. Mature, dried fruit with loads of eucalyptus, tobacco leaf, tar and herbal notes. Long, savory finish. A real testament to the vigor and age worthiness of Monte Bello.

This was apparently quite good upon opening a few hours before dinner and on initial pours. By the time I got to it, the nose was start to show a stewy character. The palate does show some fruit concentration and vigor, but the fruit has a stewy characteristic that worsens with air. Perhaps a bad bottle (though it looked perfect, and had similar/same provenance to the 1980 served side-by-side).

Popped and slow-oxed ~3-4 hours before dinner. Here too there is surprising richness to the plum fruit and beautiful detailing in the aromas of menthol, herbs and tobacco. Delicious palate with great concentration and fruit richness. Bright and vibrant acids carry the fruit. Layered with menthol, herbs, bell pepper and cigar ash. Excellent and held up well over a couple of hours.

Corked.

Double decanted ~3-4 hours prior to dinner. Full nose of rich powerful plum fruit with menthol. The palate has good rich fruit with bell pepper and some eucalyptus. Suave tannins. The acidity here is just a touch lacing relative to the rest of the line-up, but in no way out of balance. Very good and should hold for 5-10 years.

Double decanted ~3-4 hours prior to dinner. Full, rich, powerful nose of youthful plum fruit with tar and bell pepper. The palate here has great concentration and richness, matched by good tannic structure -- in fact the most tannic wine in tonights line-up. Layered and complex.
Excellent balance and completeness. Should age for 10+ years.