12/5/2021 - jviz wrote:

Quite a treat to get another stab at this wine. This bottle showed impeccably, and for my palate, it is drinking at peak. You have some warm, baked red fruits from the vintage with softened tannins, a little red pepper, too. It remains fresh, balanced, and should hold a few more years but I don’t see it improving from here. I guessed 89 right bank, but should have known better.

12/30/2014 - rdsboca Likes this wine:

Too young to truly evaluate. Has a bright future. I think it is in a dumb stage. Best promise of the young Montroses in the lineup.

4/1/2015 - vinomex wrote:

I had high expections on this wine and my expections were not only met but exceeded. Decanted for about 30 mins and drank over 2 hours. Elegant and delightful. A very refined wine with lots of life ahead that is drinking extremely well at this point. Room filling bouquet. Youthful with nuances beginning to emerge. Fills your mouth with flavor of fruit, some tar, tobacco and the slightest hint of oak while all along it remains elegant, balanced and refined. No hard edges, no heat. Glad I have one more bottle left.

12/30/2014 - rdsboca Does not like this wine:

Second worse wine of the night. Very astringent. Overwhelming soy/saline quality. Thought I was drinking from the sea. Bleh.

12/30/2014 - rdsboca wrote:

Tight as a drum but started to open up after a few hours. Time will tell if this will rival the 2009. Fruit is there but too much structure for now. Maybe time will mellow it out.

6/8/2014 - rdsboca Likes this wine:

A chewy, earthy Brunello. Nice black cherry and thick mouthfeel in mid palate. A bit hot at 14.5% alcohol. Nice wine but didn't wow me.

3/8/2014 - rdsboca Likes this wine:

I loved this wine but only two of us voted it best of flight. Big black fruit with that Alban charm and funky nose. Pure fruit. Travis actually guessed vintage, producer and bottling correctly on this blind. Bravo.

11/8/2013 - Mike Dildine Likes this wine:

A little on the lighter side. Very nice.

8/19/2013 - rdsboca wrote:

Coravined: 3 oz pour: Tart bright red fruit. Strawberry and some cranberry. Vibrant. Short clipped on finish

4/11/2013 - rdsboca wrote:

Huge hit by everyone last night. Great balance and silkiness to the red cherry fruit. A touch of vanilla added complexity without adding sweetness. Silky tannins and a great finish. The magnum was gone before I blinked.

12/5/2012 - Jeff Leve wrote:

Incredibly deep in color. The next thing you notice is the pungent aromas of truffle, coffee bean, blackberry jam, blue fruit, black cherry, spice box, caramel, chocolate and smoke. In the mouth, the wine coats your palate with waves of silky, pure fruit that fills every nook and cranny of your palate. Everything is perfectly balanced. This stunning expression of Harlan Estate is effortless is to drink. If you have the funds and the desire to experience California Cabernet Sauvignon at its decadent best, this is perfection in a glass.

12/10/2010 - plitton wrote:

Popped and poured. A total fruit bomb but with class. The fruit does overshadow the rest of the experience--from start to finish. I was thinking this could be Turley-caliber but it lacks depth. I think it will improve with another year or two in the cellar but even then I can't see this evolving into a wine that I can enjoy.

4/26/2010 - jswine15 wrote:

stong zin character, but nice balance of fruit and tannins