9/10/2017 - Vinobruin wrote:

No specific notes. Drunk on 50th. If properly stored this one has plenty of life left.

4/21/2016 - Vinobruin Likes this wine:

For a Pinot I would not rate it this high. For an enjoyable wine, definitely. Francophiles stay away. Approach this wine more as a Syrah and fruit bomb and you'll love it. If your looking for light earthy, cherries and cola flavors of pinot, go elsewhere.

8/7/2015 - Vinobruin Does not like this wine:

very disappointed - nothing - this may be past its prime - no clue - color was fine but no aroma no flavor

8/2/2015 - Vinobruin Likes this wine:

Owned since release. Well stored. Upon opening wine had reddish brown edges consistent with wines age. Tannins are gone but this was a nice integrated and balanced wine, slightly astringent. Pair well with cheese course and Mediterranean food. Wine picked up a little weight and increased color with air. More of a splash decant with aerator used. Not much sediment.

I think this wine has definitely peaked and probably beginning its decline. I would recommend drinking now.

Had from 750. Will drink other 750's and save magnum. Wine may not have enough in your face structure for average wine drinker but certainly has balance and aged Cabernet characteristics for the Francophile in your wine group.

11/6/2014 - Vinobruin Likes this wine:

Wine holding up nicely. Same notes as previous.
The wine looks purple colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle.

7/6/2014 - Vinobruin Likes this wine:

Still young and fresh. Popped and poured - improved in the glass. This is a well made merlot with lots of structure and black fruit. Good balance and finish. Drank with a 1997 Ornato. The Ornato was good but not great with real signs of aging and browning. No browning on the purple colored wine with plenty of legs. Most likely reaching its peak - drink over the next 4 years.
The wine looks purple colored. The legs are medium. There is light sediment in the bottle.

6/22/2014 - Vinobruin Likes this wine:

This has reached its peak and may be starting its downside - still years left but I dont think it will improve. Well balanced and still good purple color with slight browning on the edges. Enjoy now over the next 2 - 3 years

11/30/2013 - Vinobruin Likes this wine:

Still inky purple. Very balance but fruit is fading with sum raisin like flavors emerging. Given the color this wine has lots of time, however, Im not a fan of an old zinfandel that tastes like an older cab. If you are not either, I would drink any of this vintage over the next 2-3 years. I believes this wine is at its peak or slightly past it already.

9/10/2013 - Vinobruin Likes this wine:

No notes, not bad

9/10/2013 - Vinobruin wrote:

Consistent with last note, this is really hitting stride and peaking. Drink now over the next 1 - 2 years for maximum enjoyment.

7/6/2013 - Vinobruin Likes this wine:

Kirsh like flavor. Nice on the open and finish but with a hollow center. This wine is very enjoyable. Rally 88plus. This is a number based on past experiences with much bigger switchback merlots rather than a rating simply of a California Merlot. This is very nice and enjoyable. If you have it, drink. If you see it available on the market, dont pay more than $30. Probably best over the next 2-3 years.

2/9/2013 - Vinobruin wrote:

Still required 2 hours of full decant to open up. Drinking very nicely.

11/28/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Drink up. Drank from Magnum. Purchased new at the winery 9 years ago and stored properly. Brinking but picked up weight and color with air. Classic California Zin.

11/19/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Nice expression of Sangiovese grape. Smooth and balanced. Drink over the next 2 - 3 years. Good QPR if purchased under $25. This is not for lovers of California Cab.

11/19/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Last 750 - Magnum will hold at least 5 years to 50th birthday. Non browning. Still inky purple. A bit thin on open but picked up some weight in the glass. No decant. Very nice express of Stags Leap district. Well balanced and drinking nicely. If you have stored properly from release (my wines were purchased at the winery) wine should be fine. Drink 750's now over the next 2 - 3 years.

11/6/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Drank from split (375). Popped and poured. Even from split this wine needs time. Initial wine was shallow and a bit hallow. Picked up weight and structure with time in the glass. Deep color and amazing leggs. Tannins soft, classic cab flavors and aromas - rich, smooth and elegant. This wine if properly stored has 20 years of life. Splits probably reaching peak now and over the next 2 - 4 years.

11/3/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

My last bottle. Drank from 375 split. Held since release. This wine continues to put on weight and pick up structure. Double decanted and aired for 1 hour. Tannins are softening and wine is rounding out nicely. This wine has lots of life left. Hold another 1-2 more years and drink over the next 5-7 years. This would be if you have splits. 750's should have an additional 5 years minimum if properly stored.

10/16/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Drinking very nicely. Day 2 as good as Day 1

10/2/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Very nice wine - sorry, was enjoying to much for notes - classic Shiraz flavors. No signs of aging. Try at least one now if you're holding several

10/2/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Not a lot of structure - no noticeable tannins. Not sure on life. Predominately red fruit flavors. Begins with a bit of mildly tart plum flavors and transitions into mixture of red fruits. Nice, not fantastic. May have been a little warm. I will pay more attention tonight.

Make sure to serve at proper temperature (around 66). Drank over 3 days. There is plenty of structure here to last 5 - 7 years. Much more enjoyable with air and at proper temp. (originally rated 89)

9/14/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Nice - drank with bottle of the 2009 - 2009 was much better.

9/14/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Drink up - a real disappointment. This time wine was decanted. Only possible issue, wine was served a little warm - about 68/69 - Try true cellar temp around 62 - might right structure better.

9/14/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

No notes

7/19/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Stored properly since release. Allow still inky color, not much going on. Was a bit disappointed for this wine, especially the vintage. A bit light and slight tart. We did not decant which might have been a mistake, but wine sitting in the glass through dinner did not improve.

6/26/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Monster wine - amazing first zinfandel based wine from Justin Smith. Forgot to post when consumed so no specific tasting notes. Second bottle was a gift but did not last. Sean wanted to open and consume it on the spot.

6/26/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Monster wine - amazing first zinfandel based wine from Justin Smith. Forgot to post when consumed so no specific tasting notes.

5/28/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Still deep purple - soft and approachable. Had with BBQ ribs

5/5/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Drank from split. This wine is still very young and evolving. Closed upon pour. Wine opened over the night. Would need at least 2 - 3 hours of decanting. Would guess that in split wine needs another 2 - 3 years and would drink well over the next 5-6 years.

5/5/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Drinking very nicely - properly storaged since purchased at winery. Would recommend drinking now if you want the wine at peak. Carmel color and very rich. Reminded me of the 99 Rieussec. More fat than lemon curd flavors but nicely balanced. Thick and viscous.

2/12/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Drank from splt; light on its feet for a Rancia Riserva; good, not great.

2/10/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Great bottle of wine but at peak or on the downturn. Structure is like a cab. Mature tannins and good balance. Fruit is fading slightly. Color was still deep purple with only slightly browning on the edges.

1/29/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Deep purple, but thin and becomes a bit tart with air. This wine is not getting better. Drink up.

1/17/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Drank in office from split, no food. Needed food, but enjoyable nonetheless. Wish I bought a lot more. This wine is too good now and too balanced not to drink at this time.

1/17/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Drank from 375. Fruit is fading. Drink up if you have them.

1/10/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

wonderful wine

1/10/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

no notes

1/10/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Unimpressed

1/6/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Well integrated wine. Much better than the last time I had this. Still deep purple hues. If probably stored this should have 3-4 more years (at least) of good drinking. Most likely approaching peak.

1/6/2012 - Vinobruin wrote:

Well deserving of 95WA rating. Popped and poured from split. Overwhelming intensity (in a good sense). Rich and lush and a lot going on. This cab is not for the faint of heart. Its big and bold. If you like old world style wines, you will not like this wine. If you like big Napa Cab's, you're in for a treat.

12/27/2011 - Vinobruin wrote:

Drank with Jim - bright red fruit flavors, cloudy

12/27/2011 - Vinobruin wrote:

drank with todd, decanted - very nice structure - drink now.

12/27/2011 - Vinobruin wrote:

Drank from magnum. Well integrated. Decanted 3 hours. Deep purple colors, however, fruit appears to be fading. Drink now through 2013. If in 750, drink now

12/23/2011 - Vinobruin wrote:

No notes, very nice wine, good structure. Could benefit for 3 - 4 more years in the bottle. Definately decant to get the most enjoyment from wine. Also, make sure wine is served at cellar temperature not room temperature.

12/2/2011 - Vinobruin wrote:

Typical Sonoma Wine - Soft, red fruit structure. Simply wine. Not worth the price. Gypsy at Trader Joes for $5 has similar taste. For $15 it would be okay. Anything over that its not worth the price. POPPED and POURED. Will give the rest of the bottle another try tomorrow.

Day 2 marginally better, but notes of green underripe fruit were more prevalent. Again if this wine is at $14.99 maybe you should try it. Over that you can find better wines at Cost Plus World Market or Trader Joes. Even Kirkland wines at costco.

11/23/2011 - Vinobruin wrote:

Drank from magnum. No browning, needed full decant and improved throughout the meal. Classic Napa Cab.

11/22/2011 - Vinobruin wrote:

no notes

11/20/2011 - Vinobruin wrote:

Needs time to open - 1 - 2 hours full decant - over the top delicious

10/31/2011 - Vinobruin wrote:

Disagree with some other reviewers - Check your cellars - purchased from winery - we popped, poured and drank at Gulfstream with Cedar Plank Salmon and Ahi Burger. Drank from split and this was reaching peak. Certainly not on downslope. Montelena has never been a big over the top heady cab. It is balanced and polished. In addition, 1998 was not a year for hard gripping tannins. This was an incredible wine from a difficult vintage. After about 1 hour, the last glass displayed a little more fruit opening some slightly tart rasperberry. Color in the glass was deep purple. Typical notes of eucalyptus and dark fruit in the bouquet.

In splits, drink now through 2014 if properly stored, 750's (I still havent opened one), I would assume you can drink now through 2018-2020 (again, if properly stored and held since purchase). Again, I bought mine from the winery and know when they were shipped.

10/10/2011 - Vinobruin wrote:

While the color is still deep purple with not much brown if any, the fruit seems to be dying off. A bit tart since the last bottle. Drink now. - Drank from 375ml

9/16/2011 - Vinobruin wrote:

Not as good as I remember - very nice, though - 3rd best wine of the night, but companions were Ghost Horse Apparation and 2006 Broken stones