February 2, 2024 - In a great spot after a 2-ish hour decant - this wine retains a good balance of primary and secondary tension. The acidic lift, minerality and concentrated but soft-spoken primaries keep this wine drinking beautifully with a variety of grilled meat main courses.
As more air enters the glass, the harmony between the layers of dark fruit primaries and the secondaries of cedar and clove season the medium rare veal chops I was eating perfectly.
This wine was at the right place right time for me - I can see this wine not performing as highly if it weren't drank with fresh grilled veal chops. In the heat of the meal though, this really hit the spot.
December 3, 2023 - The 1995 seems a stern rendition of Monte Bello, maybe under-rated today at 93 but the real point is that this is probably a wine to watch. The slow burn of gradually building black fruit along nori and green peppercorn may explode in a few years - and the tough, tannic palate needs time to soften anyway.
August 20, 2023 - Stellar. Sorry, drank this several days ago and did not take notes at the time. This is from memory. I do believe it is past peak however still an incredible wine. Smooth, nuanced (flavor, backbone, and yes...there is a hint of vinegar as another reviewer commented, but it is so tiny that it adds to the complexity). Sad this was my last bottle. I would drink now.
July 27, 2023 - Past its peak though not radically so — a bit of vinegar note. Beyond that, a great and balanced wine, mellow with age to not overpower though still not thin.
May 29, 2023 - Lighter than expected but still with some complexity. Fully mature.
May 2, 2023 - Enjoyed at pappas bros in Dallas. Still a young wine. dark ruby core with bell pepper and some rich fruit showing through with time.
A great bottle but nothing to write home about.
March 24, 2023 - This bottle was just musty enough that I am going to call it flawed. I felt at times it had a faint whiff of cardboard, and then that would blow off and reveal a rather lovely wine. It certainly didn’t get worse over a couple hours. Served blind to my group, most guesses centered in Pauillac with black currant and pencil lead. Even knowing the label, I had to look for that slightly brightened, sun kissed California fruit. A beautiful wine if not the greatest bottle.
February 12, 2023 - Served alongside the 94. Similar to the 94 but more structured. Cedar, leather, 93
November 24, 2022 - Thanksgiving Wimps 2022 - James Baldwin Table (La Trompette): One of my fellow diners declared "finally some brett" - and they weren't wrong. This is a lovely, fully mature Monte Bello. I've had cleaner examples of this vintage - and this was great, while they were truly transcendent.
November 6, 2022 - This is the one that every says is the big change of being more youthful. And indeed, that is a turning point. More fruit driven still but just wonderful as well.