For wines that will have more tasting notes, I sometimes will take my notes, then look at the community before posting. This time I was struck by the consistency of the notes and scores and how they dovetailed with my initial impression at the winery in 2019 and how this bottled performed now. Balanced and smooth. I wish more Zin would be like this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Raspberry and strawberry on the nose. Raspberry, pepper and a hint of vanilla on the palette. Medium to long finish. A perfectly aged zin, wish I had more of it!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Crimson in color. 14.5% ABV. Savory nose of black fruits, iron and pepper. Medium body with ample acidity. Dark, chewy Claret style Zinfandel. Black cherry, blackberry, plums and pepper on the palate. Nice length on the finish. The tastes exactly like the kind of Zinfandel you would expect from a winery known for their Cabernet Sauvignon. Lots to like here. Best over the next 2-3 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
An excellent zin. Has improved with age. Pours a medium-light purplish-red, but color saturation is deeper than expected in the glass showing as a deep dark red. Shows only minimal rim variation due to age. Nose has black cherry, hint of plum and cassis. As it sits oak notes appear, hint of vanilla, black pepper, alternating with blackberry...lots of complexity. First taste soft tannins, medium-full body, nice acidity, finishes medium-long to long. Just enough flavor and body to stand up to most foods, but nothing to over power anything. I am really loving this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Found tucked away in the cellar. Forgot how lovely this wine is with food. Paired nicely with a Greek salad and some lamb chops. Not a big wine but the fruit and body played nicely with the acidity of the salad and the gaminess of the lamb. Wish I had a few more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Not a big fan of Italian Primitivo, but I thought I give this old school Napa Zin a try.
Well, I was not disappointed! More oak than expected (16 months in Irish (!) oak barrels), intense black fruits, garrique, chocolate and cigar box. Long finish.
Really nice, has plenty of life left!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Lighter zin with a lot of zip to it still. Pinot like characteristics. Cherry cola on the front, alcohol on the back.
Decanted for 30 min. 1 glass in. Will save a glass for tomorrow. Would buy more if I can find it. This wine would pair with just about anything and would be great at a tasting.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
So very light for a California Zin (compare to Ridge, e.g.). Nose is deceiving, but the palate is varietally true. But the weight is fleet-footed similar to a pinot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
This came across as a Claret style Zin. No ripe, zesty or wild berry here (a style I also like). More of a currant/blueberry profile. Subtle and compelling wine that kept me coming back to the glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
A: Pale ruby. High viscosity N: Medium intensity. raspberry, strawberry red cherry, blueberry, wintergreen, CHOCOLATE, Five spice, thought it was pencil shavings for a bit but then realized the smell was actually peach yoghurt. Masses of vanillin in here. P: Dry, medium (+) acid, medium tannin, high alcohol (14.5%), full body, medium (+) intensity and finish. C: BLIC? hot in the throat and so i wouldn't say balanced though i liked the acid to fruit weighting, Ticks for intensity and length. Some complexity Very Good Quality wine here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Double blind. Aromas of sour cherry and soice, rhubarb and red berry fruit. Nice fruit and tannin balance on the palate. Cherry and red berry fruit, perhaps a touch hot. Not quite sure what this is though; I think we all went with cab sauv by default. Even now knowing what it is, it's hard to see zin in this, so maybe this was an odd/off bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
As one expects from Montelena's zinfandel- good mix of fruit, mostly in the red spectrum, and nowhere close to overly ripe or overdone. On the elegant side for the variety. Nice bit of spice on the palate. Medium+ finish. 89-90+ pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Kathy and I tasted this wine at the Chateau Montelena Store in the Westin St. Francis San Francisco this evening, nose of red and black cherry, same on the palate, medium/big body, tasty, subdued fruit, and a medium/long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at the Westin St. Francis Chateau Montelena Tasting Room in Downtown San Francisco, nose of dried black berry, red and black cherry dried fruit, some Irish oak barrels used for this wine, no longer Estate fruit as vines are over 40 years old and lack tonnage, same on the palate, medium/big body, fairly fruit forward, juicy and tasty fruit, touch simple for me, long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Big juicy fruit to the nose. Medium/- tannin, red and dark berry fruit palate, peach juice. Very nice showing for those that want classic Zin, not overly structured, but definitely no slouch either.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Ruth's Chris Taste Maker Dinner paired with Portuguese white bean & chorizo stew. Perfect with spicy food, this Zinfandel offers up herbs, pepper, licorice, vanilla, blue fruits and baking spice. A dry, somewhat restrained offering that should be consumed with food to benefit from the nuanced character of the wine. Definitely not a fruit bomb, this wine has changed my mind on what a zinfandel can be. Will develop and evolve for years to come.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted at the winery. Clear, medium/deep ruby, lazy legs. A melange of juicy red fruit, with chocolate and vanilla oak, as well as some hints of dark berries and clove spice. Medium(+) acidity, medium(+) body, medium(+) intensity of red cherry, chocolate, oak and tobacco. Medium ripe tannins, medium smooth finish. Rich flavours, without the overly exuberant punch of some other California zin.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Color: Lighter Garnet, Medium-Bodied Nose: Really Minty Upfront with Heavier Undertones of Floral and Spices Taste: Light Fig Brightness Enters and a Coffee Finish Lingers; Quite Smooth and Lingers with a Light Pepper Burn; Very Different American Zin Comp's: Has a more of an 'Old World' Finish of Acidity and Less Fruitiness; Good with Spicy Foods and a nice Change up for Cab Drinkers or People Looking for a Polished Rhone Styled Wine
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
1/21/2024 - HoppeArnerich wrote:
Wonderful zin. Drinking perfectly right now. Balanced and rich with fruit and mellow spices. Wishing we had a second bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/29/2023 - Richard123 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really stunning wine, first time I've tried Montelena. Went very well with wood oven pork chop, stood up to the smoky/char elements perfectly.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/5/2022 - theebigjuan Likes this wine: 91 Points
For wines that will have more tasting notes, I sometimes will take my notes, then look at the community before posting. This time I was struck by the consistency of the notes and scores and how they dovetailed with my initial impression at the winery in 2019 and how this bottled performed now. Balanced and smooth. I wish more Zin would be like this.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/9/2022 - vitroman Likes this wine: 91 Points
Raspberry and strawberry on the nose. Raspberry, pepper and a hint of vanilla on the palette. Medium to long finish. A perfectly aged zin, wish I had more of it!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
1/23/2022 - thomasobrey wrote:
Shann
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/30/2021 - tomlee wrote: 92 Points
Crimson in color. 14.5% ABV. Savory nose of black fruits, iron and pepper. Medium body with ample acidity. Dark, chewy Claret style Zinfandel. Black cherry, blackberry, plums and pepper on the palate. Nice length on the finish. The tastes exactly like the kind of Zinfandel you would expect from a winery known for their Cabernet Sauvignon. Lots to like here. Best over the next 2-3 years.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/19/2021 - SPfromTX Likes this wine: 93 Points
An excellent zin. Has improved with age. Pours a medium-light purplish-red, but color saturation is deeper than expected in the glass showing as a deep dark red. Shows only minimal rim variation due to age. Nose has black cherry, hint of plum and cassis. As it sits oak notes appear, hint of vanilla, black pepper, alternating with blackberry...lots of complexity. First taste soft tannins, medium-full body, nice acidity, finishes medium-long to long. Just enough flavor and body to stand up to most foods, but nothing to over power anything. I am really loving this wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/22/2021 - Lefty’s Writes Likes this wine: 90 Points
Found tucked away in the cellar. Forgot how lovely this wine is with food. Paired nicely with a Greek salad and some lamb chops. Not a big wine but the fruit and body played nicely with the acidity of the salad and the gaminess of the lamb. Wish I had a few more.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/15/2020 - -Tim- Likes this wine: 91 Points
Not a big fan of Italian Primitivo, but I thought I give this old school Napa Zin a try.
Well, I was not disappointed! More oak than expected (16 months in Irish (!) oak barrels), intense black fruits, garrique, chocolate and cigar box. Long finish.
Really nice, has plenty of life left!
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/12/2020 - tfharris Likes this wine: 90 Points
Has gotten better with age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/17/2020 - Tonyboons33 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Agree with other tasting notes, lighter in body that I was expecting. Really enjoyable, great for summer and grilled meats.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2019 - mrincredibill Likes this wine: 90 Points
Lighter zin with a lot of zip to it still. Pinot like characteristics. Cherry cola on the front, alcohol on the back.
Decanted for 30 min. 1 glass in. Will save a glass for tomorrow. Would buy more if I can find it. This wine would pair with just about anything and would be great at a tasting.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/16/2019 - mats13 Likes this wine: 92 Points
So very light for a California Zin (compare to Ridge, e.g.). Nose is deceiving, but the palate is varietally true. But the weight is fleet-footed similar to a pinot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/14/2019 - Slammin Sammie Likes this wine: 90 Points
Quite smooth, refreshing Zinfandel
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/11/2019 - gmbdds wrote: 91 Points
This came across as a Claret style Zin. No ripe, zesty or wild berry here (a style I also like). More of a currant/blueberry profile. Subtle and compelling wine that kept me coming back to the glass.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/1/2019 - JBL19 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Trochu Bordeaux styl, mělo by být víc ve starém stylu primitivo.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/28/2019 - Heynetty wrote:
A: Pale ruby. High viscosity
N: Medium intensity. raspberry, strawberry red cherry, blueberry, wintergreen, CHOCOLATE, Five spice, thought it was pencil shavings for a bit but then realized the smell was actually peach yoghurt. Masses of vanillin in here.
P: Dry, medium (+) acid, medium tannin, high alcohol (14.5%), full body, medium (+) intensity and finish.
C: BLIC? hot in the throat and so i wouldn't say balanced though i liked the acid to fruit weighting, Ticks for intensity and length. Some complexity
Very Good Quality wine here.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/23/2018 - AllRed wrote:
Double blind. Aromas of sour cherry and soice, rhubarb and red berry fruit. Nice fruit and tannin balance on the palate. Cherry and red berry fruit, perhaps a touch hot. Not quite sure what this is though; I think we all went with cab sauv by default. Even now knowing what it is, it's hard to see zin in this, so maybe this was an odd/off bottle.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/5/2018 - Colpete Likes this wine: 92 Points
The best pizza wine ever. Also good when one just feels like a glass of wine.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/9/2017 - AllRed wrote: 89 Points
As one expects from Montelena's zinfandel- good mix of fruit, mostly in the red spectrum, and nowhere close to overly ripe or overdone. On the elegant side for the variety. Nice bit of spice on the palate. Medium+ finish. 89-90+ pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/3/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 89 Points
Napa/Sonoma Trip With Some Exceptional Gems; 11/1/2017-11/5/2017 (1800ft Up Cavedale Road, Glen Ellen, CA): Bonus wine at the Chateau. I really like the nose on this, the palate is nice too, but the nose...earthy, spicy-pepper, herbs, red berry, medium body, restrained. Very tasty. 89+(+)pts.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/11/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote: 87 Points
Chateau Montelena Cabernet Estate Vertical (Plum Market - Chicago IL): Tasting, brief note. Spicy nose and palate with black plum and cherry that are rich, but not particularly fat. Moderate weight and length, very good balance.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/7/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 88 Points
Kathy and I tasted this wine at the Chateau Montelena Store in the Westin St. Francis San Francisco this evening, nose of red and black cherry, same on the palate, medium/big body, tasty, subdued fruit, and a medium/long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/30/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 88 Points
Tasted at the Westin St. Francis Chateau Montelena Tasting Room in Downtown San Francisco, nose of dried black berry, red and black cherry dried fruit, some Irish oak barrels used for this wine, no longer Estate fruit as vines are over 40 years old and lack tonnage, same on the palate, medium/big body, fairly fruit forward, juicy and tasty fruit, touch simple for me, long finish.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/11/2017 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Black fruit and spicy on the nose. Flush and full, that is delicious.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/28/2017 - nzinkgraf wrote:
Big juicy fruit to the nose. Medium/- tannin, red and dark berry fruit palate, peach juice. Very nice showing for those that want classic Zin, not overly structured, but definitely no slouch either.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/22/2017 - pvewino Likes this wine: 88 Points
Decent wine, however a little overpriced. Good with food. Nothing overly special about this one.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/16/2017 - Tahlequahdave1972 wrote: 90 Points
Ruth's Chris Taste Maker Dinner paired with Portuguese white bean & chorizo stew. Perfect with spicy food, this Zinfandel offers up herbs, pepper, licorice, vanilla, blue fruits and baking spice. A dry, somewhat restrained offering that should be consumed with food to benefit from the nuanced character of the wine. Definitely not a fruit bomb, this wine has changed my mind on what a zinfandel can be. Will develop and evolve for years to come.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/4/2017 - rossi.wine wrote: 87 Points
Jammy, rich, quite big and concentrated. Lots of sweet fruit on the palate - smoky, spicy, soft tannins, rather low acidity. 86-88
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/30/2017 - ozyloy wrote: 90 Points
Tasted at the winery.
Clear, medium/deep ruby, lazy legs.
A melange of juicy red fruit, with chocolate and vanilla oak, as well as some hints of dark berries and clove spice.
Medium(+) acidity, medium(+) body, medium(+) intensity of red cherry, chocolate, oak and tobacco. Medium ripe tannins, medium smooth finish.
Rich flavours, without the overly exuberant punch of some other California zin.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/10/2017 - kvd2 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Color: Lighter Garnet, Medium-Bodied
Nose: Really Minty Upfront with Heavier Undertones of Floral and Spices
Taste: Light Fig Brightness Enters and a Coffee Finish Lingers; Quite Smooth and Lingers with a Light Pepper Burn; Very Different American Zin
Comp's: Has a more of an 'Old World' Finish of Acidity and Less Fruitiness; Good with Spicy Foods and a nice Change up for Cab Drinkers or People Looking for a Polished Rhone Styled Wine
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment