December 31, 2021 - When I first contemplated buying a 90's Monte Bello, I set my heart on the '92. The vintage was unmatched, the CT reviews impeccable. To my dismay, my local had sold their last '92, leading me to the 1994 instead. What a fantastic turn of events.
At 27 years, this wine shows very little age. Visibly, it remains dark, almost opaque, with no bricking at the rim. The nose is tremendous, boasting aromas of blackcurrant, plum, saddle leather, and a touch of cinnamon.
On the palate, this wine exemplifies the classic style that put California on the winemaker's map. Restrained and balanced, blue fruit still kickin'. There was a bit of sweetness that reminded me of a 2012 Chateau Musar I had recently. Served blind, I would've called this Pauillac or Saint-Julien.
December 6, 2021 - Dark clear opaque ruby - this bottle cellared at 55 since purchase around turn of century. Clean and complex if reticent nose of crancherry, bramble and cedar and a whiff of fresh cigarette tobacco. Tart acids on palate with enough regal tannins to dry the mucous membranes pretty fast leaving flavors and aromas to bounce around for a bit. Well-made, well-preserved stuff that reminds me of the oceans of Calcabs I drank in their youth in the early 90’s before price appreciation went logarithmic.
October 22, 2021 - Nose - complex, stinky, turned earth
Mouth - still very alive with a boatload of tannins, yet juicy and fresh. Showing no signs of fatigue at age 27.
March 4, 2021 - Bordeaux Blends Smackdown (Zoom): Drank double blind. Damn, this wine was on point. Much more red-fruited than the 2000 Duhart Milon. The leather and tobacco made me think this was from California. Elegant integrated tannins and high complexity. The wine took on a caramel note with time. My WOTN and the groups.
March 4, 2021 - Virtual Double Blind Bordeaux Blend Smackdown (Home): Very dark red/purple color. Slow-O'd for 1.5hrs until poured into vessels for transport at 4:30pm. Drank a glass plus double blind over 3 hours starting about 7:15pm. This was really evocative from the outset. Well perfumed with a mix of dark fruits of cassis and blackberry with red fruits laced in, menthol, lots of pencil lead, dried forest floor and woodsy spices. The palate is effortless, concentrated yet weightless with a velvety texture. The mix of fruit stands out, creme de cassis, blackberry compote, with blue fruit nuances and deep red raspberries. Pencil, tar, minerals, and polished tannins with such a great texture and impeccable balance. Very classy and in a very good place with decades to go. Picked this out as my wine. My and group WOTN. 94+ to 95(+)pts.
February 19, 2021 - Pretty much at peak, even if I would reccommend to wait 2-3 years. After han hour in the decanter just lovely, mature, old-school fruit, yet with some tannins. Very fresh.
Had three excellent Bordeaux 82s before Christmas (Cos Estournel, Talbot and Gruaud Larose), but this wine was actually better.
Bought in restaurant for 350 usd, which was a steal.
Previously 1997, 2012, 2013 and 2017 vintages of this wine.
February 14, 2021 - 71% cab, 15% merlot, 9% petit verdot, 3% franc. Sufficiently acidic and tart that I have to assume that thos bottle (like my last) was flawed and not properly maintained
January 3, 2021 - Cork totally dried out and crumbled upon opening. Seemed flawed.
December 21, 2020 - No formal tasting notes but wow this was drinking so well at this age. Yes it’s a legendary wine but I’d been concerned my bottle that had moved continents twice (once from a California to Europe and then to Australia) might not have liked the travel.
Just marvelous, I’d not hesitate to buy again and cellar for 25 years.
November 27, 2020 - Soft but incredibly youthful fruit. Fully resolved tannins but looked and tasted young.