4/8/2024 - team-blackburn wrote:

Still has fairly tight tannins, opened up after an hour decant.

3/15/2024 - team-blackburn wrote:

The first of 6 bottles, It is a powerhouse! We found it more enjoyable paired with our NY Strip steaks. It did not hold up well on day 2.

2/24/2024 - team-blackburn wrote:

Twelve years later it’s still exceptional!! Needs an hour decant to really come to life, tannins are well integrated.

1/7/2024 - team-blackburn wrote:

A spectacular wine, that still has a lot of life left, very enjoyable.

1/7/2024 - team-blackburn wrote:

Still youthful. PNP fairly tannic with noticeable acidity. After an hour decant it was firing on all cylinders, enjoyed with lasagna.

12/25/2023 - team-blackburn wrote:

PNP, right out of the bottle this was flat and lifeless. After an hour decant it came to life. Drink up!

12/1/2023 - team-blackburn wrote:

PNP, Well integrated, still has tannins. No funk, drinking wonderfully!

11/23/2023 - team-blackburn wrote:

PNP after Thanksgiving dinner. This kept getting better with each sip! After opening up for an hour it was exceptional. Smoked meats, ripe olives, tannins were well integrated. I’m very happy I have 5 more bottles to enjoy.

11/23/2023 - team-blackburn wrote:

Served at Thanksgiving dinner. Rich lush fruit with acidity on the finish. Dink over the next few years.

11/17/2023 - team-blackburn wrote:

PNP drinking nicely from first pour, really opened up after an hour in the glass. It held up well on day 2 & 3.

11/10/2023 - team-blackburn wrote:

A little over the top, ripe fruit getting late harvest on the finish. Overall still in balance with lots of legs to go a few more years.

12/25/2022 - team-blackburn wrote:

PNP Mild tannins, heavy yet muted fruit. Served with tri-tip.

12/25/2022 - team-blackburn wrote:

Hot Cola, not drinkable. I’m hoping my last bottle is still drinkable.

10/22/2022 - team-blackburn wrote:

PNP smooth and a little funky, with medium acidity. The second glass was better with a NY Strip.

4/5/2022 - team-blackburn wrote:

PNP well balanced, nice structure, fruit forward. This has aged well, has improved since I opened the last one nine years ago.

12/1/2017 - team-blackburn wrote:

Probably passed its prime drink up!

10/11/2017 - team-blackburn wrote:

PNP

3/5/2017 - team-blackburn wrote:

No tannins to speak of, more fruity than funk. My wife loved it but she normally doesn't like reds.

9/20/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

Not up to the hype

9/2/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

Lots of layers and depth. Very pleased I savored this over 3 days!!!

8/17/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

This was flat on day 1 after a 2 hour decant. No Fruit on the nose or finish. A very different story on day 2, lush fruit a bit high on the alcohol mild tannins.

6/11/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

Beautiful balance, sad this was my last one.

4/29/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

light lush great for a summer day. This was a big hit with my wife's family!!!

4/8/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

Big and Bold needs lots of air.

3/23/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

PNP still have very firm tannins

2/27/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

Keeps improving with age!!! PNP into a decanter then served.

2/27/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

Consumed all 3 bottles for a dinner party. It was a big hit.

2/27/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

Was much better day 2. May have been in an awkward phase.

2/27/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

Still hitting on all levels.

2/24/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

PNP lush mellow tannins well balanced.

2/24/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

Nice balance

2/13/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

This is the first Montebello I've opened in a decade...Opened and decanted for 3 hours, was very surprised how soft the tannins were. Silky smooth with lush fruit. We were surprised the 2005 Santa Cruz Mountains that followed had much firmer tannins.

2/13/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

I was supprised this had firmer tannins than the 2006 Montebello that preceded it.

2/13/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

Still going strong, enjoyed side by side to a 2006 Ridge Montebello.

2/13/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

It still has legs to go a few more years. Jammy with still firm tannins

2/11/2016 - team-blackburn wrote:

PNP smooth jammy mild tannins. I probably opened a year late.

11/22/2015 - team-blackburn wrote:

Sadly was my last bottle and it was fantastic!!!

4/5/2015 - team-blackburn wrote:

Enjoyed with sharp cheddar & smoked Gouda

3/27/2015 - team-blackburn wrote:

We opened two bottles of Ptera after an 07 Caymus. My sister inlaws comment was "Holy Shit this is amazing" and Caymus is usually her favorite cab.

3/27/2015 - team-blackburn wrote:

this knocked the sox off a Goldeneye. A bit on the heavy side of Pinot but fantastically balanced.

3/27/2015 - team-blackburn wrote:

Hot cola that's the best I can say about this one. Extensive bottle variation hope my last 2 are better.

3/27/2015 - team-blackburn wrote:

It was not the fruit bomb I expected. I expected more from such a well known brand. Tasted sided by side a Force Majure Cab that blew the doors off the Caymus.

3/27/2015 - team-blackburn wrote:

Not improving with age

12/17/2014 - team-blackburn wrote:

WOW!!!! This blew the doors off the 07 Sequel it followed.

10/30/2014 - team-blackburn wrote:

A very good bottle needs a hour decant. I will have to open another to give it a fair assessment as we opened this after a
2005 Grand Reve Reserve Syrah. Which is in my top 5 best ever!!!

7/3/2014 - team-blackburn wrote:

We'll balanced not too much oak paired well with seared scallops & risotto.

4/7/2014 - team-blackburn wrote:

Needs a good decant

2/18/2014 - team-blackburn wrote:

This followed my previous note, it kept getting better by the day.

2/4/2014 - team-blackburn wrote:

A fantastic wine!!! Great balance of fruit and tannins only a hint of oak. Wish I would have bought more.

12/23/2013 - team-blackburn wrote:

Brought to Christmas eve Spaghetti dinner at LB & Onnie's.