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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.8 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 288 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by Vinobay on 4/28/2024 & rated 79 points: No need to decant — almost zero dregs in the bottle. Cork had only 1/4” of coloring, with crystals sealing the wine from 18 years of cellaring. Nose of cassis, herbs, and leather, layered deep dark color, no signs of tawny edges. Aged perfectly! Blended fruit, acidity, and tannins gives it a very smooth, clean finish. One word - Amazing! (47 views) | | | Tasted by DWStyle on 4/20/2024 & rated 94 points: Opened a 3 liter for a friend’s dinner party. PNP no decanting. Had the opportunity to drink some prior at a Montelena spring release event at the Westin from a magnum. My friends and I at the event concluded that it was time to drink the 3 liter I had in cellar.
Beautiful dark ruby color, no visible bricking (this was stored in a very cold 52 deg cellar). Bouquet was mild roses and dark cherry. Mild acidity and mature cab flavor yet not at all declining in this format. Had good dark fruit flavors. Totally resolved tannin with no hard edges at all. Delicate and silky mouth feel. Medium length on a delicious finish. Bo Barrett, made this 98% cab and 2% Cab Franc blend according to Montelena’s website. Paired with prime rib my buddy cooked to perfection. Wine at its peak can’t see it improving from here. (317 views) | | | Tasted by Dave D on 11/5/2023 & rated 92 points: still good (1894 views) | | | Tasted by timewithwine on 10/28/2023: The thinnest of thin rims sheds some cranberry hues, but almost immediately is gobbled by opaque the plum of the core as the eye moves from the rim to the center of the glass. No change since opening a bottle of this 4 months ago. The licorice may be more dominate, but it still delivers rather satisfying flavors of “plum, cassis, mint, leather, graphite and cedar with a finish of vanilla and licorice wrapped in a silky mouthfeel,” as I noted then. But side by side with the Cade Howell Mountain Cab, this didn’t perform as well. It is not as seamless as the Cade. The table was unanimous on that. Some but not a lot of angular sediment. Decanted. 13.9% alc. With grilled (beef) ribeyes from the Meating Place. 10.28.23. Highly Recommended. (1591 views) | | | Tasted by Volleyball on 10/1/2023 & rated 92 points: I’ve had a few of these over the years and they always strike me as really elegant wines with fresh acidity, soft, mouth coating tannins and harmonious flavors.
This one tastes fully mature, with aroma and tastes of oak, leather and truffles dominating the black fruits, which linger in the background with some savoury vegetal flavors (asparagus). This was more the case on day 2 and I’d probably drink this all on day one for my last bottle. (1749 views) | | | Tasted by davidandrose on 7/8/2023 & rated 94 points: Found a half bottle presumed lost or opened and not recorded. Slow ox from bottle for 75 mins. Was much more elegant from a Sommelier vs std Reidel stem.
Fragrant nose shows dark, but mostly ripe red fruit, with leather when you get deep in the glass. Wine crosses the palate with minerals, coffee and modest fruit that's really well-balanced, and a satisfyingly mature finish that lingers for quite some time.
This bottle has done well with multiple cross-country moves. I suspect it's peaking in this format and shows better than the 750 I popped 3 months ago. Will mark my remaining 375 to drink by 2025; standard bottles will probably make it to 2030 or beyond. Impressive and rewarding. (2347 views) | | | Tasted by Buck Brohoff on 7/4/2023: Very good. Buy again (2134 views) | | | Tasted by timewithwine on 6/24/2023: A deep, opaque plum color emanates from its core that shades to a wide circle of oxblood at the rim. The near seamless transition from nose to palate delivers plum, cassis, mint, leather, graphite and cedar with a finish of vanilla and licorice wrapped in a silky mouthfeel. Some clumps of sediment. 13.9% alc. With grilled (beef) strip steaks from Buffalo Creek Farm. 06.24.23. Highly Recommended. (1538 views) | | | Tasted by davidandrose on 4/9/2023 & rated 93 points: 2.6 hrs slow ox, followed in Somm stems. Light claret coloring throughout, Bordeaux nose of red fruit, really old leather and earth. Soft red fruit dominates with more old leather, cigar, and dirt; tannins/structure have faded considerably.
Don't foresee this improving, but I will confess that several cross country moves could have impacted the wine.
Glad I didn't decant as this has softened considerably since my initial sample when pulling the cork, and based on this evening will mark remaining bottles with a drop dead of 2027. Will pop my remaining 375 w minimal air.
While rating this 92-3, there's an old elegance that's comforting to this. While I will likely drop out of Monty's futures program after 20+ years as they're eliminating any financial benefit, with futures pricing that's in line w retail at many chains, this evenings experience gives me pause, even if there are better QPR's @ the $150 revised future. (2164 views) | | | Tasted by danielbleier on 2/18/2023 & rated 91 points: Well made in a classic California Cabernet style - true to its tradition, less powerful than the new school makers. (2354 views) | | | Tasted by klezman on 12/31/2022: This certainly needed some air! I'm not sure it lasted long enough to fully open up, but there was plenty of earth, mint, herbs, anise, and some underlying dark fruit. Medium finish. Very nice pairing with well aged Flannery. (2858 views) | | | Tasted by drrobvino on 12/9/2022 & rated 96 points: This was stunning today, and the wine of the weekend, which is saying something.
Typical regal Napa Cabernet flavors, just so perfectly connected, with maturity in the flavor profile and resolving tannins.
I still have a 6L bottle of this, save it for another decade if needed. Just gorgeous. (2599 views) | | | Tasted by Dave D on 12/2/2022 & rated 92 points: needs at least 2 hours decant (2616 views) | | | Tasted by capacious on 11/19/2022 & rated 94 points: Near as good as it will be altho there will be some further changes over time. Given the time Montelena Estate almost never disappoints. Napa cab doesn't get much better. Great feel on palate, long long finish, (2336 views) | | | Tasted by jroberts86 on 10/20/2022 & rated 94 points: Rich, deep, layered, lovely soft tannins. Long finish. Had with Vietnamese food paired great with the shaking beef. (2173 views) | | | Tasted by Mike V on 10/19/2022 & rated 90 points: Not my favorite vintage of this wine. Does have a nice fruit relatively short finish. (1811 views) | | | Tasted by jviz on 9/19/2022 & rated 93 points: This was showing beautifully from mag. Savory and complete, rich and dense. Probably will peak in the next 5-10 years, even in large format. (2098 views) | | | Tasted by LearningWine on 9/11/2022 & rated 94 points: Very nice garnet coloring, immediate burst of fruit smell on the pour into the decanter. Some sediment in bottle. Did not rest long prior to first pour. On the nose, tobacco, cherry, leather, wood shop type of smell. On the tongue Very smooth with some tannin remaining, acidity, black cherry, with long duration.
Originally tasted at Chateau Montelena and had to come home with this bottle. Absolutely fantastic wine. Not pairing with anything, just purely enjoying as a birthday gift to myself. (1774 views) | | | Tasted by caspernick on 9/9/2022 & rated 93 points: Deep garnet colored with fast moving legs- 13.9% ABV. The nose started off with a medicinal note followed by horse saddle leather, dust, barnyard, blackcurrant, black cherry, bandaid and briar. It is earthy with loads of tertiary aromas. The palate is dry with medium acidity, well integrated tannins, medium (+) body and rich flavors of black fruits, dusty earth, bramble, briar and açaí berry that lead to a long finish of black tea and leather. 93 points is what I imagined this wine garnering yet the pros went lower back in the day. It's amazing how some wines will age so gracefully and deliver those lovely tertiary flavors after 16 years yet still show some primary fruit and structure to age a few more years. I would drink this $140 offering till 2026 or so with lighter beef dishes. 4 stars from me.
https://wp.me/p125DB-2OM (1656 views) | | | Tasted by Leinike on 8/20/2022 & rated 94 points: Just spectacular. This came from Montelenas cellar and you can tell. Still vibrant and fresh. Just great. Ready to drink right now. Glad I have more! (1607 views) | | | Tasted by caspernick on 5/15/2022 & rated 93 points: An iconic Napa Cabernet that we drank with monster Tomahawk steaks. This inky colored wine is beautiful to look at and even better to drink. Aromas and flavors of Iodine, black fruit (blackcurrant, blackberry, plum, bramble), dust, menthol, eucalyptus. Seriously complex and intriguing. The palate is smooth- medium acidity, fine grained tannins that are fully integrated, full bodied with great mouthfeel and a long finish. What a stunning wine that is en pointe and will continue to develop for several more years. 93 points for this $130 effort makes it 5 star worthy.
https://wp.me/p125DB-2Gu (2553 views) | | | Tasted by dbg on 5/6/2022: Purchased from winery 2019. Perfect cork and fill. Dark red core, lighter at rim but no bricking. Takes 60-90 minutes to fully open after pop and pour. Forward nose of red fruits and berries, leather, spice and cedar. Medium body, nice mix of ripe fruit and some aged complexity, good balance, thins a bit on the back palate, medium finish. Should continue to drink well for another decade. Excellent. (2242 views) | | | Tasted by pavel_p on 4/22/2022 & rated 91 points: Two years since my previous bottle which seemed far from ready, and hence surprised by how this has evolved. Dark garnet with translucent rim, nice and fine wood spices on the nose. On the palate medium bodied with a fair bit of leather, dark and red fruit. Initially perhaps a touch too ripe but then the fruit pulls back a bit and some fine medium tannins appear. More Bdx than California now. Medium (-). Nice wine, at peak now in my eyes. (2413 views) | | | Tasted by Dave D on 4/15/2022 & rated 93 points: better the next day, (2177 views) | | | Tasted by KenK on 4/8/2022 & rated 93 points: Drinking well showing a good combo of black fruits and a nice spicy character with impressive balance. More in the Bordeaux style in the sense of blackberry vs red cherry and a lovely earthy edge. This should hold nicely, but I think it is near peak. (2371 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (2/2/2022)
(Chateau Montelena, The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, 2017 & 2018 Napa Valley In Depth (Jan 2020) (1/1/2020)
(Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa Valley Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, Chateau Montelena Cabernet Estate: 1977-2010 (May 2019) (5/1/2019)
(Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Montelena Napa Valley Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jeb Dunnuck
JebDunnuck.com, North Coast Part 1: Napa Valley's Incredible 2016s (1/31/2019)
(Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Red) Login and sign up and see review text. | By John Szabo, MS
WineAlign (11/17/2010)
(Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2008, IWC Issue #138
(Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate Napa Valley) Subscribe to see review text. | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (8/21/2016)
(Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate) Saturated, very dark red violet color; black currant, raspberry nose; tasty, plush, black currant, leafy, raspberry palate; medium-plus finish 92 points | By Richard Jennings
RJonWine.com (8/22/2010)
(Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate) Nice berry, cassis, blackberry nose; tight, tasty, tart berry, cassis palate; medium-plus finish 92+ pts. 92 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and Vinous and JebDunnuck.com and WineAlign and RJonWine.com. (manage subscription channels) |
| Chateau Montelena Producer website
Very DETAILED history of the property
From winery:
What’s not to like about the weather in 2018? The late spring rains in March and April were very productive and the vines responded with plentiful growth into summer. Unusually low nighttime temperatures coupled with warm to hot days magnified the acidity in the fruit, creating elegant structure for extending aging, rather than overtly jammy flavor. Harvest was slow and methodical as subtle variations in soil and sun exposure magnified the typically nuanced differences in ripening and maturation.
NOSE PALATE FINISH
Fresh and lively, the wine opens effusively with raspberry, mint and plum sauce. The baking spices soon follow, leaning clove initially but with plenty of cedar and vanilla. Still subtle, the ripe fruit elements, mostly cassis and fig at this stage, lurk beneath the surface along with beautiful hints of graphite and toasted sage, awaiting additional time in glass.
HARVEST DATES
September 20 – October 25
ALCOHOL
14.2%
BLEND
98% Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5% Petit Verdot 0.5% Cabernet Franc
Still very tightly wound, it’s the texture and mouthfeel that drive the palate initially. The tannins in particular are somewhat coarse but not so angular to overshadow the abundant dark fruit. The dynamic tension on the midpalate serves to focus and magnify the layers of black cherry, cocoa powder, and black pepper, before turning slightly earthy and dusty. The structure is pronounced, but still harmonious and well defined.
Technical Information
BARREL AGING
22 months in 100% French oak, 40% new
BOTTLING DATE
August 2020
It’s in the transition to the finish that the acidity materializes in almost candy-like fashion, a beautiful contrast to the supple tannins. Here the wine’s density shines elegantly, well balanced between smoky, espresso bean and delicate, dried blackberry. It’s the latter that defines the finish at this moment, persistent in length and depth.
WINEMAKER
Matt Crafton
Cabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
Used as frequently in blends as in varietal wines, Cabernet Sauvignon has a large number of common blending partners. Apart from the obvious Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the most prevalent of these are Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere (the ingredients of a classic Bordeaux Blend), Shiraz (in Australia's favorite blend) and in Spain and South America, a Cabernet – Tempranillo blend is now commonplace. Even the bold Tannat-based wines of Madiran are now generally softened with Cabernet SauvignonUSAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Napa Valley Napa Valley Wineries and Wine (Napa Valley Vintners)CalistogaDiamond mountain |
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