Superb tasting of Ch. Montelena and Dominus 87, 90, 91, 94 & 97

London, UK
Tasted Tuesday, September 21, 2004 by CharlesM with 1,274 views

Introduction

Organised by Linden Wilkie's Fine Wine Experience and hosted by Charles Darnell - a very knowledgeable guide from whose cellars all the wines (bar the mystery wine at the end) had come. Served single blind.

Flight 1 (11 Notes)

  • 1997 Dominus Estate 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    A purple hinting at red. A nose with the slightest hint of farm, cedar, caramel, cassis and plum. Noticeable tannin and acidity, with excellent fruit. A touch thin, but with a good tannic grip, nice damson fruit in the mouth and a nicely long finish. Still very youthful. 93 points now.

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  • 1997 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Deep purple. A superb nose of raspberries, boysenberries, cassis and bramble. Lovely plush finish, tannins there but beautifully integrated, nicely sweet with a fleshy mouthfeel but excellent acidity and great length. 95+ points now. Can only get better.

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  • 1991 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Dark Brick. Complex nose of cedar, cassis, green pepper and herbs, a hint of port. Some tannins remaining but nicely integrated and well resolved. I felt this was a little lacking in fruit and too reserved (a hint of TCA? - dismissed by Charles), so I wonder if this is just passing peak. Still a lovely wine, but on the basis of this bottle 92 points.

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  • 1991 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Still purple! A superb nose of brambles (wild blackberries), offering an intoxicating hint of truffles, grape spirit and mushrooms in addition. Rich but perfectly balanced ripe dark fruit, blackberry again, bramble jelly. Tannins still there but wrapped in the fruit. Superb and showing well. Still years of life left. 95+ points (98 point bouquet)

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  • 1994 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Rich purple. A lovely nose of cream, blackcurrant and brambles. On the palate, pure essence of blackcurrants, noticeable tannins, again good acidity. Very balanced, well structured with good length. Drinking well now but years left. 94 points

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  • 1994 Dominus Estate Napanook Vineyard 97 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Mature red brick. Superb nose of ripe cassis, cedar, lead pencil, and much riper green pepper. This was altogether riper and more together than the 91. On the palate still a lot of structure underlying the really ripe, rich fruit. Very refreshing, long, ripe and multi-layered. Years of life left and a stunning wine. 97+ points.

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  • 1990 Dominus Estate 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Red tinted russet. Cassis, cedar, and a hint of coal tar soap. Initial palate good, still some tannin, nice ripe fruit, but then a hole where the mid-palate should be. Good finish, but disappointing. Closed or going over? 90 points

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  • 1990 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Purple. Another nose of brambles and bramble jelly - talk about consistent. A high note of acetone/ grape spirit. Noticeable austere - great structure with good fruit, but still closed. Charles reckoned this was still improving. 92 points now.

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  • 1987 Dominus Estate 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Red with a hint of brown. Very cedary, lead pencil, mushrooms and herbs - altogether secondary. Obvious tannins and acidity, again a little closed, with good rich fruit, but evidently much life left in it - a consensus of 10 years plus. 93 points

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  • 1987 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Still very dark purple! Cassis and bramble again with a hint of soap. Great structure with noticeable acidity, the grip of a mature port, lovely finish and ripe fruit, if a little tight. 92 points.

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  • 1979 Louis M. Martini Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 90 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Finally a surprise wine, served double blind. Light red (almost burgundian) with a mature nose of bramble and red fruit. A lively palate with very noticeable acidity. Still fruity, but in a reduced way, nice mature mouthfeel and very nice. But what is it - no idea from anybody. Turns out to be a Louis Martini Cabernet Sauvignon 79 - in pristine condition with a label looking as though printed yesterday. Great fun, if pressed 90 points.

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Closing

Altogether great tasting of well stored wines, showing tremendously well. All decanted an hour before tasting - perhaps the 87s could have gone a bit longer with their structure, but overall superb!

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