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!
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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,
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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.
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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Dinner at Josephine. Decanted 1 hour then rested for another. Beautiful, cool dark fruits and a touch of spice on the nose. Well balanced and medium bodied cool vintage profile with black fruit and a bit of spice on the palate. Second of 12 bottles. Elegant - old school napa cabernet. Starting to drink well and better than my last bottle. Probably has at least 8 years. 94 points.
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"Nose shows drying red fruit, turning secondary. Dried cherry, cigar, tobacco, fallen leaves. Seems oaky sometimes but still shows lots of freshness. Palate is lovely. Lots of true red fruit, somewhat young and tangy in character but quite stunning. Good acid, fully integrated and gentle tannins. Finish is quite long, acid carrying and elevating the fruit. 92 with tons of life left."
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Since some had said decant for an hour, I did so (I only had an hour before heading to the restaurant). I thought it was very good, but it gave me the impression that it either should’ve opened up more or it’s a little past it’s prime. I saved about a glass worth in the bottle for day 2, and I can say it was definitely the former. It was delicious. I would say a longer decant (as some say Montelena’s need) is probably better even at this age.
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Drinking very well right now. Full bodied, lots of fruit on the bouquet, medium oak. Has that typical Montelena core of bell pepper/dill/mint/eucalyptus down the center on the bouquet, mid-, and back-palate. Cedar notes akin to right bank Bordeaux. Tannins soft but still present and notable. Good acid. Medium+ finish. Fruit and acid could take this out for the long haul. Nice wine!
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From a bottle recently obtained directly from the winery, this wine (a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc) was uncorked, poured and serially sampled over two hours. Deep ruby/red in color, it flaunts an alluring nose of cassis, dark plums, fig, violets, sandalwood and tobacco. Full-bodied, seamlessly alcoholic (13.9%) and with fresh acidity, it delivers flavors mirroring the nose, adding notes of cocoa and baking spices. At this stage in its evolution, the wood is beautifully integrated and the medium-weight tannins are velvety in texture. Layered on the mid-palate and finishing with impressive length, this is a tremendous Cab that is aging gracefully. Give it an hour of aeration and enjoy it at any time throughout the decade. Drink now-2030.
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We served this wine with steak. This is one of the few California Cabs that appeals to me. Not the typical big California Cab that is all oak, vanilla, cola and blueberry jam. This is a much more subdued wine and I much prefer this style. Dark berries, black currant, hints of coffee and just a bit of spice. The crowd enjoyed it but keep in mind that this crowd doesn't love big California Cabs (think Caymus). If you like the big oak, big fruit, vanilla wines from California, this might not be for you. Our bottle of Montelena had a dry cork and we were worried the wine would be compromised but this was not the case. Our bottle was likely a little over its prime and won't go for much longer (but that may be because of the cork situation). Overall, lovely wine. I wish that this would be the norm for California Cabs. That being said, no way that this was worth the $327 CAD price tag.
Beautiful Napa Cab. Pencil lead, coffee grounds, black currant, and black cherry fruit. Beautifully long and deep finish, with grippy tannins and perfectly moderated acidity. Drinking nicely now through 2026+.
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To quote the group YES, Yours is no disgrace! Never surprised by the longevity of this chateau, and the quality of their wines. Consistency in goodness and if you hold it properly you always know what you’re going to get. This wine lives on easily for 20+ years. Glad to have some still!
Some dark cherry on the nose, floral notes and on the palate smooth through the finish. Could use a touch more structure but really showing well. Love how montelena has a restrained style that never succumbed to the pressure to “go big”
Decanted for 2 1/2 hours but notes written after the fact. Typical Montelena Bordeaux-like characteristics. Dark red cherry, old cigar, earth. Definitely added weight with air
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Drinkable, but not near the freshness of the bottle tasted last August. The cork was ~ 90% soaked, and I think the wine suffered from less than ideal condition.
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Aromas of lavender, red and black currants, spice and violets. Tannins are firm but very approachable. On the palate notes of red currants, berries, spices and florals. Medium finish.
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Decanted 2 hours ahead. A bit of earth as well as nice dark fruits on the nose. Elegant but still quite primary with black fruit and a bit of spice on the palate. First of 12 bottles. A very nice wine, starting to drink well but still getting better. Probably has at least 10 years. 92+ points.
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in a really good place, but should hold 15 years +. Decanted 2 hours and it needs it. Great nose with blackberry, cassis. menthol, licorice,earth,leather and herbal tones. Starting to show some secondary character to go with the black fruits, earth, leather, spice, anise, cassis and herbs. Wonderful balance . The tannins have softened in the long finish. No hurry to open the other bottles.
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Fruit lovers rejoice! This full-bodied wine is wildly complex on the nose, with a palate that seems slightly more primary than secondary at this stage. Lots, and lots of potential here - I'd strongly recommend HOLDing for another ~ 5 years, at least; may well live on past that, just in a different form. recommended
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This bottle was given a serious decanting. The cork was sound and there was a fair amount of sediment. Over time the wine opened up nicely. it exhibited classic Napa Cab. characteristics and was enjoyable. I think this vintage will hold for a few more years.
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Pnp after a 99 Sassicaia. Was torn between opening this and a 2000 Lagrange. Not much to add to Grapenomads note below, with the exception that I would not call this wine opulent at all (but then mine was Pnp), this is defined by plenty of acidity and a fair bit of oak, the fruit is a balance of dark and red, so not typical Napa Cab, but agree that it does need more time in bottle. Good potential 90+
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Significant sediment in the bottle. Bright ruby red. Opened up after two+ hour decent to reveal complex nose initially of methanol and later of cedar, black fruit and spice. Blackberry flavors come through on the attack. There were some tannins on the finish, but overall a very approachable wine. It’s been five years since I’ve had this wine. The wine was good back then and will likely be good five years from now.
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Deep ruby in the glass. Decanted for 3 hours, opened up to a big nose of mostly oak, but tones of black berry fruit, plum and raspberry as well. Opulent palate that needs taming. High tannins, high acidity, lots of oak sweetness. If you have this in your cellar, wait at least 5 years to come back to it.
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4th Saturday Group: Old vs Young (T&L's): Double blind. Tar and black fruit notes. Medium-bodied with flavors of black raspberry, black currants and chocolate-covered cherries. Guessed Napa cabernet. Still youthful, this needs more time to develop complexity.
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A slo-ox opening of 3 hours. Plum at the core and ox blood at the rim. The nose abounds with mint, menthol, graphite, cherry and plum. Very much the same on the palate. Eventually, as time passes, roasted tomatoes appears in the mid-palate. The mouthfeel is silky, but not quite as silky as the Linden. At the beginning of the meal the wines are very compatible. But after a bit, the Montelena accelerates and revs past the Linden. Balanced and delivering much satisfaction. Some clumps of sediment on the side. 14.3% alc. With roasted beef tenderloin in mushroom-tomato sauce with Phoebe Marie and her friend, Andrew Hill. Recommended, leaning toward Highly Recommended.
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Decanted 3 hours and it needed it. Moderate sediment. Wonderful nose with cassis, blackberry, menthol, licorice and herbal tones. On the palate it is starting to show some secondary character to go with the black fruits, earth, leather, spice, anise, cassis and herbs. Wonderful balance between the acidity, tannins and fruit. Only going to get better over the next 20+ years.
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Wonderful Cab nose of cassis. Very dark wine, black fruits dominate with some smoke and a vegital, tannic finish. Nice wine, just less than I was expecting for a $100+ bottle of Montelena Estate...
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Black pepper, black berry, a bit of rose, dark and brooding. Very pretty nose. It’s drinking very well right now. There’s still a good tannic structure. This wine most definitely has a few more years, but will lose that nice dark fruit element. It’s well balanced. I’d drink now.
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This bottle was decanted twice. The cork was fragile and there was a fair amount of sediment. However, the wane was in good shape. it was mature and the tannins had softened and there was smooth dark fruit on the palate. I am not sure this vintage will benefit from further aging.
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An outstanding wine and in its prime drinking stage.
Opened and decanted for 40 minutes with some sediment but not too bad. A full nose of rich black fruits, some cranberry, vanilla and rich oak spices.
The longer this was open the more it reveled. A medium to bold bodied wine. Black cherry, blueberry, leather, pencil lead and oak spices. The finish was amazing and long lasting with a hint of black pepper mixed in.
By far one of the better Estate wines I have enjoyed from Montelena. I have vertical from 06 through 15 and these wines need age to fully develop.
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A clearly off bottle, the 7th of a case purchased at release. When it was decanted, there was no sediment (i've never seen a 13 year old Montelena with NO sediment. while it improved with the 2 hour decant, it just never got to the fruit, full body that an older Montelena does. Lacking the complexity that previous bottles showed. Stayed on the acidic side. Not sure what the flaw was as it ws not Bret, didn't seem corked, but just not right. No hurry to open the other 5.
This really jumped out of the glass after some aeration. Good structure, black fruit, black licorice, herbs & spices, and some lovely secondary notes (almost Bordeaux like). This is a well made wine.
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In a fairly good place now. Still evolving. Fruit is more muted but berries are still present. Earthy and tobacco. Acid is moderate and nicely integrated. I very good cali cab
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Tasted this wine next to 1999 Mondavi Cabernet Reserve. The Montelena suffered in this comparison (which shocked me) but on the 2nd day it really came alive, was far less primary and fruity, and tasted like the regal Napa Cab that it is. Black fruit with some red fruit in the upper register. showing wet soil and green pepper notes and a touch of mint. The tannins are nicely integrated, and the acidity is perfect. Gorgeous complexity and a nice, med+ finish. Delicious. Drink now through 2025+.
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My youngest daughter's birth year, so I have a good bit of this. Decanted at 2:30 pm and tasted through the evening with dinner and then again the next day and 2 days later. initially it has a translucent, medium garnet color with no bricking. The nose has vanilla, red florals, menthol, sweet spices like baking spice and cinnamon. The mouthfeel is smooth with modest tannin (Med-) and bright acidity (Med+). Palate expresses red and black berries, black plum and a good dose of graphite. The finish is a little medicinal and spicy but elegantly long. Classic old-school Cab, very feminine in character. Later in the evening it was spicier and a touch herbal with some cassis and a very soft texture. It was great with a grilled NY strip steak and spicy Asian, ginger/soy glazed brussels sprouts. Next day it was a bit more austere but not necessarily in a bad way and tart with distinct chocolate and leather notes on the palate. Overall quite enjoyable for me, who prefers elegant styles over powerful ones but to be honest this is not my favorite vintage for Montelena estate Cab.
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This green and barky Cabernet might excite some Old World palates, but its lack of intensity and depth left me wanting more - much more. Light red in color, almost translucent like a Pinot; light in body; nose of olive, gravel, and herbs. Tastes of black cherry, raspberry, leather, and eucalyptus, with a grainy and peppery finish. 13.9% alcohol. Blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. Fans of Mayacamas or Corison might want to seek this out, but I found this to be watery and muted. (I decanted about an hour, but - as the comment from oldwines helpfully suggested - a much longer decant may have added more weight to the wine.)
Bay Area Wine Tour; 1/11/2019-1/15/2019 (Bay Area, CA): Tiny touch of brick. Blackberries on nose. Gorgeous palate - softened tannins, cassis, mixed spices. We bought a bottle of this and enjoyed with dinner that night,
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Velvety, balanced and well integrated flavors. Gorgeous nose of black fruit and forest floor. Brambly black raspberry fruit, smooth cedar, shy black pepper and a lengthy silky finish. Drinking great now and will continue to drink well for many more years.
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Popped and poured, resulting in a nose of tobo smoke, plum, cassis, black currant, and mint with the palate tracking the nose. Broad on the attack and mid-palate, but coming up a bit short on the finish. The fruit of the wine invites and satisfies the palate. A very balanced wine that delivers much satisfaction. Compared to the ‘07, this is brighter and more refined, delivering greater satisfaction. Some sediment on the side. 14.3% alc. With roasted beef tenderloin in a butter-herb crust with mushroom ragout to celebrate John Sills’ retirement with John and Anne and Alan and Kathy Garrison. Recommended.
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Pop and pour from 375 as a 2nd wine on thanksgiving. Still has decent depth and structure out of the bottle but this largely dissipates after 40 mins. Time to drink and will say the standard format should be consumed in the coming year.
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The 2004 Montelena is a wine of finesse and elegance, with cassis, tobacco leaf, cedar, and a trailing medicinal note. Soft texture, silky tannins. A little more cedar on the palate than my preference. Two-thousand six is a vintage of split personality, with some wines overripe from the July heatwave and others in the style of a cool year; this is the latter. Drink over the medium term.
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2nd of 6 bottles purchased. Decanted and enjoyed the bottle over 1.5 hrs, paired nicely with grilled ribeye steaks. Gorgeous and pure on the nose, with camphor, cassis, pencil lead, and some tar, this wine was not as open-knit as my bottle 8 mos ago. Seemed more old-school Bordeaux-like, rather than a fruit-driven Napa Cab. The stuffing is all there, the mouthfeel is velvety with refined tannins and nice earthy elements to add to the complexity. Relatively long finish, this wine is nearing it's peak, where I believe it will stay and offer optimal drinking through 2025+.
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Track and Wine at Woodwards; 7/12/2018-7/13/2018 (Woodward's): 11/16 note: Blackberry, boysenberry, raspberry fruits with earth, stone, mint, and oak overtones. Tannic and long but not as deep as Montelena can be, so some were disappointed when it was unbagged. 91pts and tannic on day 2. I'm going to wait a year, 2017-2022 would be best.
Pretty close to that now, tannins folding in better. Now-2026.
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Intimate Dinner Series: Cabernet Sauvignon (G&R's): Double blind. Aromas of black fruit, violets and vanilla. Structured. Fine tannins with flavors of cassis, vanilla and black cherry liqueur. As it sits the oak becomes more dominant, with a charred aroma along with brown sugar evident. Blue and black frut flavors with plenty of toasted wood showing. The oak is a little distracting at the moment.
Flight ranking: My #4, Domino's #2 Group #3, 18 pts
The couple that contributed the Monte Bello also opened this, so I don't think this was decanted in advance either. As I noted from another recent taste, patience will be needed here. Hold until 2021+.
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Decanted 2 hours and it needed it. Sampled when it was first opened. As a Montelena wine often does, it showed thin and acidic. After 2 hours, it blossomed into a beautiful wine. Lots in the nose consisting of cassis, blackberry, menthol, licorice. On the palate it is starting to show some secondary character to go with the black fruits, earth, leather, spice, anise, cassis. Wonderful balance between the acidity, tannin and fruit. Medium bodied wine. Long finish with a smooth almost silky texture. Just starting to enter its drinking window. Huge upside for this wine over the next 20+ years.
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This is so delicious, at 13.9% abv for a Napa Cab, it even comes across serious yet restrained. Cassis, blackberry, menthol, licorice and green pepper notes are wrapped in a beautifully textured, full bodied wine with velvety tannins and perfectly balanced, refreshing acidity. Drink this gorgeous wine now through 2027+.
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From 375ml. This opens significantly with air and, at 4 hrs, offers an intoxicating bouquet. The palate is classic Montelena, along with a little more spice than I remember from older vintages. The finish is long and has an Old World signature, with a menthol note developing at the end. This has a long life ahead of it and, from 750ml, is likely to still be a baby.
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Napa/Sonoma Trip With Some Exceptional Gems; 11/1/2017-11/5/2017 (1800ft Up Cavedale Road, Glen Ellen, CA): Mini Vertical of '05-'08 at Chateau Montelena. Very dark red color. Drank 1 glass over 75 minutes. CS98, CF2, 22 mos 100% Fr Oak, 28% new. We went younger to older for this tasting. This was the odd man out in the vertical. It was ranked a distant last by everyone except one non wine drinker. A cooler vintage, this was distinctly different, thin mid palate, lighter in body, seemed stemmy and vegetal with choke cherry like fruits. 88pts presently. Hopefully benefits from time.
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Ruth's Chris Taste Maker Dinner paired with Petite Filet Mignon, Cipollini ragout, mushrooms and mashed potatoes. We were told by the winery rep that the estate cabernets are made to last 40-50 years in a proper cellar. At 10+ years this cabernet is still young by those standards but still really enjoyable today. Deep, dark purple red color. Nose of dark fruits and floral notes. Medium full body with flavors of vanilla, dark chocolate, earth, cherry, spice and mint. Silky smooth long finish (my note says "fabulous finish") with all elements fully integrated. Classic "old world" style that pairs well with food but can also stand on its own if the opportunity arises.
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Richer and more concentrated compared to the other vintages at this tasting (2004, 2007, 2008, 2013). A little jammy, showing notes of ripe fruit, liquorice, sweet spices, cedar, smoke. Soft tannins, smooth and a little sweet on the palate. Good acidity and length. 90-92
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Vertical tasting of the 05,06,07,08 estate wine. While this type of wine (more elegant than big) is not my style the 2007 and 2008 were pretty good. I did not enjoy the 05 and 06 especially at this price point.
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Half bottle+ consumed with the balance under nitrogen. VERY LARGE pours allowed to breathe in Somm stems for 30 mins, followed over an hour afterwards.
Earth and faint toasted oak notes on the nose, hint of bell pepper. More bell pepper on the palate than I'd prefer, with modest structure behind the aged reddish-black fruit. Cigar, leather. Nice but I've had better for much less. Will see fi the balance of the bottle shows better w air.
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20th Annual Lyon 10 Year Retrospective: The Mish Mash (Lyon Den): Blackberry, boysenberry, raspberry fruits with earth, stone, mint, and oak overtones. Tannic and long but not as deep as Montelena can be, so some were disappointed when it was unbagged. 91pts and tannic on day 2. I'm going to wait a year, 2017-2022 would be best.
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Pop and pour. I'm sure this was disservice to this bottle as it probably needs more time in cellar. Very nice, but would be better with food and time. Black fruits and baking spice.
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Seems to be a long term candidate. Upon opening was closed. Some fruit but very muted. Seemed nicely made, but what was there was lurking underneath. Decanted for a full three hours after that and it was just beginning to reveal what was hinted at earlier and continued to improve as we drank over the next hour. What stood out to me were the secondary flavors of blueberry/blackberry with a bit of sweetness. Thoroughly enjoyed and will hold on to remaining bottles for the long term.
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Sunday Group: 2006 Napa Cabernets (Our house): Crimson color. Notes of cherry and currants with a subtle earth/dusty component. Full-bodied but elegant and balanced, with flavors of red fruit, vanilla, earth and herbs. Develops floral qualities as it opens. Nice fruit and balance. Very much in a style I enjoy.
My #1, Domino's #5 Group #7, 58 pts
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Sommersmaking i Sandefjord del I / Norwegian summer night - BYO (Sandefjord): Dyp mørk med vanndig kant. Nyanserte, fruktige toner med hint av vanilje, karamell, blåbær og bjørnebær. Svakt alkoholstikk med portvinspreg. Fløyelsmyk på smak; fyldig, konsentrert, meget fruktig, kompakt, full av mørke bær. Kveldens beste røde!
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Opened at Boulder. Opened but not decanted about two hours prior to dinner. Very approachable now, with consistent notes as prior bottle. Enjoyed it enough to purchase four more bottles. No hurry, but so good already.
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Opened and left in btl for 2hrs, then consumed over the next 3...Tanins resolved...a thick mouth coating, dark fruit...tasty but heavy... Paired with a perfectly grilled rib steak...Still luv these wines, but can only do once in awhile...
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Drinking great. Strong vanilla on the front palate, with hint of leather, and sweet tobacco. Has a little heat on the back side. Tannins are resolved. Has many years left, no signs of bret.
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Two bottles consumed. One with mi amor, the other with my life partner, both delicious. This bottle was at it's peak. 2006 was a heat spike year. While I wouldn't say this was an epic bottle of Montelena the winery managed the heat well. Lots of berry fruit and balanced mid palate. Some secondary complexity had developed and no green bell pepper! Finish fades quickly, but evenly.
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From 375ml, and this is quite tight and tannic. I am not all that surprised, but other recent vintages (e.g. 2004, 2005) have not been quite so unyielding in this format. Regardless, it does pair well with a steak, as the meat takes the tannins and allow the fruit to compete for space. Overall my advice is wait, and wait a long time, especially if in full bottle format. This is a classic, stern Cabernet.
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Drank a magnum at a group dinner. I think it is too early to be drinking this vintage. Was decanted for about an hour but really seemed disjointed and not able to stretch its legs. Would wait if you have it.
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Really very good. There is a dustiness to the palate here, a surprising advanced texture at only nine years old, and I rather like it. There's still plenty of fruit, a good amount of underlying acidiy (that at first, when blinded, with the dustiness, made me think Italian) and this is very nicely tapered and balanced, old-school like. Enjoyed this a lot. YB pulled this out to pair with the Grateful Dead Fare thee Well, second night.
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Balanced red with well integrated tannins and dark red fruit. Lot lighter on the palate that I was expecting which made it food friendly and very drinkable
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First of the 6 purchased from the winery. I'm calling this flawed - maybe it's the TCA - but it was flat as a pancake - no nose, muted fruit. Not harsh, just lacking any enjoyable characteristics. I sure hope this was a bad bottle and not indicative of the state of the other 5 I have in the cellar.
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John comes to town! (Amali (115 E 60th Street, NY, NY)): Nowhere near as put together as it's older brother the 1992. This was a bit more heavy and almost a touch syrupy. I hope it's just a differential of years and not a change in the winemaking style. Still a nice wine though.
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Opened and decanted for one hour. Aromas of lavender, red and black currants, spice and violets. Tannins are firm but very approachable. On the palate notes of red currants, berries, spices and florals. Medium finish.
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From Montelena Estate Cab vertical tasting. Dark red color. Tight nose revealing blackfruits and spice late. Blackfuits also on palate. Elegant, smooth, balanced and surprisingly approachable. Very nice.
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Very pleasant, drinking nicely now but I think it may still improve some with a little more time. Plenty of fruit, dusty tannins and a moderately long finish.
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a waxy black fruit aromas. wonderfully plump fruit on the nose. still gives some mossy notes on the nose. a fresh banana kick on the nose. spice and some lift to the palate.
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RRV and Napa Visit; 7/7/2014-8/30/2014 (Napa and Sonoma): Much more nuance than the 2010 that was lots of fruit first. More iron and mineral in the aromas. Stony. Green mossy aromas. Black fruit powder aromas. M+ tannin. Feels much more old world-y.
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Tasted as a part of a wine dinner with Bo Barrett at Lonesome Dove Fort Worth TX. This was served with an elk steak, and held up to it rather well. The wine was very dark classic Calistoga dark red, slightly muddy edged. The nose was actually quite attenuated compared to the 2010 that it was served with side-by-side, but there was a nose of anise, blackberry, spice, and a mild sweet floral tone. On the palate was no sign of age. No acidity up front - no alcoholic heat guided missile up front either. The front was all a very dark fruit bouquet, with a hint of jasmine. The middle of the wine was not as soft as the 2004, 1999, or 2010. It reminds me more of the 2001 as it is more intense and robust. This wine will no doubt still be a solid drinker for 15 more years, and I would like to see how this one will develop. I have a magnum of this wine, which will be opened when my unborn child graduates college. A very good wine!
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Cellarmaster Tasting at Chateau Montelena (Chateau Montelena, Calistoga): An underrated vintage for this wine in my opinion as this was very lovely. Aromas of lavender, red and black currants, cocoa nibs, spice and violets. Tannins are firm but fine-grained and approachable. Flavors of red currants, berries, spices and florals. Lingering finish; elegant. Drink from 2019+.
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Had both a '06 Pride Cab and '06 Ch. Montelena Estate Cab. The Pride was quite smooth, but seemed thin compared to the Montelena. The Pride really starting coming around towards end, which was about 90 minutes after decanting. The Montelena Estate had a wonderful complexity and rusticness to it that paired nicely with the filets.
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On the nose it smelled corked. And a bit of that on the palate, too. Over a couple of hours, the fruit came out to play, and the red fruit showed through. But I still think this was somewhat flawed.
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375 opened but not decanted and allowed to breathe for an hour prior to following over 2 hours. Black cherry, raspberry, crushed stone and earth. Wine is nicely layered but either needs more time or is just not one of their more inspiring vintages. Some green notes blew off within an hour, tannins are well-integrated adn provide a dryness without any grit or grain.
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Was not earth shattering or mind blowing... but, wow this is some tasty juice. Wine needs at least an hour plus in the decanter to start to show and by then the wine was disappearing too quick (drinking too quickly). Was a hit with dinner @ Capital Grille. This wine is not fading and is definitely not thin... maybe they thinks this wine is the entry Montelena and not the flagship wine that this is. Very good Napa Cab- good fruit (dark fruits and currants), spice & coccoa -there is some oak too but I like it in this wine. Not overly complex- but very good.
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Had this bottle at Bachanalia in Atlanta. Decanted during dinner. Deep garnet in color. Red fruits, cassis, berries on the nose with some floral notes. Unexpectedly medium bodied to the point of being rather thin. Not much going on in the middle with a rather flat finish. Must be the vintage as an '09 I had earlier this year was plush and velvity smooth. Perhaps this wine is past its prime. Rather disappointing, especially considering the jacked up restaurant price.
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A lot of cherry notes, well balanced and very, very smooth. Enjoyable, but as C said, no wow factor to it. I'm sure it has some years ahead of it, but seems to be in a sweet spot right now.
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Drank with 07' estate cab from Montelena and thought this kept up to it (would give the 07' a leg up though)...Great smoothness, beautiful nose and color..full body and excellent balance.
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Great Cab from Mentelena. Deep purple on the nose. Tannins are fairly restrained at this point. Terrific today but should be even better in a few years.
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Very well made fruit forward delicious with my Spanish tortilla and shrimp in garlic sauce. Who says that cabs can not complement seafood,I guess it all depends on your mood.
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I really liked this wine. The tannins were smooth and silky. Very nice roasted cherry and cassis on the mid palate. Nice long finish. This wine may age well for a little longer but it was in my wheelhouse now.
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Had at a Thai restaurant in Singapore for 160 SGD. Not the best pairing with Thai food but I had to try this given the price for this was extremely reasonable, as wine in Singapore is crazy expensive. Considering that at another restaurant the Kim Crawford Sav Blanc (which I pay 15 US at Costo) was selling for 150 SGD, this was a steal.
This drank extremely well and saved most of the bottle for after dinner to drink on it's own. Very dark fruits on the nose and pallate, with nice long finish. Very happy with the experience.
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This split was slightly hot and disjointed upon opening. There was also the faintest aroma of sweat socks, wet cardboard, and TCA. Despite this subtle contamination, the wine showed napa cab flavors more typical of a bottle with some age. To me it, possessed a structure that was approachable after 90 minutes of air. This was quite good and I'd source some, at a sale price. Thanks P.M.
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Restrained and alcoholic at first, opened up gradually but never really blossomed. Elegent dark berry, forest, herb and oak scent with slight spicyness. Smooth, medium-full bodied, fruity palate. Tannins appeared to have dissolved and the finish was sweet with a bit of spice. Overall I like it quite a lot.
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a very good wine. great nose with strong american oak smell. v balanced even if young. should age gracefully. tested together withv st pierre 2003 that was less powerful but slightly more classy..same grade for both..still, at above 130$ a bottle, value for money is not great
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Not loved as much as expected. While it was populated with a fruit forward taste of strawberry and dark cherry, it lacked a balanced acidity and complexity from the region. Indeed, it almost tasted a little sweet. Tannins were soft and nuanced with a med
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From a .375 into a decanter, allowed to sit for 30 mins and drunk over the following 90 mins. Restrained at first, opening up slightly as time goes on. Well-balanced fruit and structure, with heavy oak on the nose and some green notes on the profile that faded with time but was disturbing early-on. Time reveals some mocha, leather, glycerin, oak remains on strong on the nose. I'll retry another .375 in 12-18 months.
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I think this was opened just prior to us getting to the winery so to me it tasted like it either needed a very long decant or a few more years of age in the bottle. It had some nice berry fruit and a earthiness to it, made in an old world style. This wine could probably go 15 years easily.
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Dark ruby with a great nose of dark cherry, chocolate, leather, flowers, and damp leaves. On the palate pretty closed, with falvors hinty of the nose. Firm, balanced with good acidity. I would not drink till after2015. Has the potentail to age into a 95+ point wine.
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Tasted at winery. Bottle decanted for 20 minutes prior to tasting. Big boy cab that was concentrated yet polished and elegant. Long finish. This showed extremely well for such a young cab. I like the style.
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I am always stunned at how good these cabernets are. 98% Cabernet, 2% Franc. New filtration this vintage to try and remove the Brett character that they have occasionally shown. This would appear to be a market lead decision. The wine rather fine. Still needs time in the bottle.
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4/28/2024 - Vinobay wrote:
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!
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4/20/2024 - DWStyle Likes this wine: 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.
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11/5/2023 - Dave D Likes this wine: 92 Points
still good
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10/28/2023 - timewithwine Likes this wine:
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.
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10/1/2023 - Volleyball Likes this wine: 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.
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7/8/2023 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 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.
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7/4/2023 - Buck Brohoff wrote:
Very good. Buy again
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6/24/2023 - timewithwine Likes this wine:
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.
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4/9/2023 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 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.
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2/18/2023 - danielbleier Likes this wine: 91 Points
Well made in a classic California Cabernet style - true to its tradition, less powerful than the new school makers.
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12/31/2022 - klezman wrote:
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.
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12/9/2022 - drrobvino wrote: 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.
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12/2/2022 - Dave D Likes this wine: 92 Points
needs at least 2 hours decant
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11/19/2022 - capacious Likes this wine: 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,
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10/20/2022 - jroberts86 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Rich, deep, layered, lovely soft tannins. Long finish. Had with Vietnamese food paired great with the shaking beef.
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10/19/2022 - Mike V wrote: 90 Points
Not my favorite vintage of this wine. Does have a nice fruit relatively short finish.
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9/19/2022 - jviz wrote: 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.
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9/11/2022 - LearningWine Likes this wine: 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.
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9/9/2022 - caspernick Likes this wine: 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
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8/20/2022 - Leinike Likes this wine: 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!
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5/15/2022 - caspernick Likes this wine: 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
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5/6/2022 - dbg wrote:
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.
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4/22/2022 - pavel_p Likes this wine: 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.
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4/15/2022 - Dave D Likes this wine: 93 Points
better the next day,
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4/8/2022 - KenK Likes this wine: 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.
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3/5/2022 - sastewart wrote: 94 Points
Dinner at Josephine. Decanted 1 hour then rested for another. Beautiful, cool dark fruits and a touch of spice on the nose. Well balanced and medium bodied cool vintage profile with black fruit and a bit of spice on the palate. Second of 12 bottles. Elegant - old school napa cabernet. Starting to drink well and better than my last bottle. Probably has at least 8 years. 94 points.
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2/22/2022 - jimyeni Likes this wine: 94 Points
Underripe cherry and glycerin lead to a well balanced palate, no sharp edges. Time has done well for this bottle.
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1/18/2022 - Rbhan12 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Soul-searching in Napa. Beta-Jasud, Roy Piper, Detert, Elyse, Diamond Creek, Favia, Opus, Gargiulo, among others!; 1/17/2022-1/22/2022: Tasted at Montelena as part of their Estate Tasting experience. Brief notes.
"Nose shows drying red fruit, turning secondary. Dried cherry, cigar, tobacco, fallen leaves. Seems oaky sometimes but still shows lots of freshness. Palate is lovely. Lots of true red fruit, somewhat young and tangy in character but quite stunning. Good acid, fully integrated and gentle tannins. Finish is quite long, acid carrying and elevating the fruit. 92 with tons of life left."
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1/8/2022 - ciesel wrote: 89 Points
Past prime? Not together any longer
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12/23/2021 - CaroPalms Likes this wine:
Since some had said decant for an hour, I did so (I only had an hour before heading to the restaurant). I thought it was very good, but it gave me the impression that it either should’ve opened up more or it’s a little past it’s prime. I saved about a glass worth in the bottle for day 2, and I can say it was definitely the former. It was delicious. I would say a longer decant (as some say Montelena’s need) is probably better even at this age.
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12/10/2021 - drrobvino wrote: 93 Points
Very pretty Cab, with gorgeous black fruits alongside solid soil-driven characteristics.
Drink through 2025+.
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12/9/2021 - enthusiastic_amateur Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drinking very well right now. Full bodied, lots of fruit on the bouquet, medium oak. Has that typical Montelena core of bell pepper/dill/mint/eucalyptus down the center on the bouquet, mid-, and back-palate. Cedar notes akin to right bank Bordeaux. Tannins soft but still present and notable. Good acid. Medium+ finish. Fruit and acid could take this out for the long haul. Nice wine!
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11/26/2021 - Incurable_Botrytis Likes this wine: 92 Points
Rich flavor and full mouthfeel. Classic big Napa fruit and a distinct pleasant sharp finish. Not a showstopper but undoubtably a high quality wine.
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11/25/2021 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 94 Points
From a bottle recently obtained directly from the winery, this wine (a blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc) was uncorked, poured and serially sampled over two hours. Deep ruby/red in color, it flaunts an alluring nose of cassis, dark plums, fig, violets, sandalwood and tobacco. Full-bodied, seamlessly alcoholic (13.9%) and with fresh acidity, it delivers flavors mirroring the nose, adding notes of cocoa and baking spices. At this stage in its evolution, the wood is beautifully integrated and the medium-weight tannins are velvety in texture. Layered on the mid-palate and finishing with impressive length, this is a tremendous Cab that is aging gracefully. Give it an hour of aeration and enjoy it at any time throughout the decade. Drink now-2030.
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11/25/2021 - Dave D Likes this wine: 92 Points
3 hour decant, needed longer but still good
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11/23/2021 - Dave D Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank immediately , was good but definitely better after 45 minutes
Probably needs at least 2 hours
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11/19/2021 - onealkr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Graceful, Bordeaux-like cab. Cedar and subtle currant. Ideal now.
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11/12/2021 - no leashes wrote: 92 Points
Really in a good spot right now.
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10/31/2021 - Brunello12345 wrote: 91 Points
We served this wine with steak. This is one of the few California Cabs that appeals to me. Not the typical big California Cab that is all oak, vanilla, cola and blueberry jam. This is a much more subdued wine and I much prefer this style. Dark berries, black currant, hints of coffee and just a bit of spice. The crowd enjoyed it but keep in mind that this crowd doesn't love big California Cabs (think Caymus). If you like the big oak, big fruit, vanilla wines from California, this might not be for you. Our bottle of Montelena had a dry cork and we were worried the wine would be compromised but this was not the case. Our bottle was likely a little over its prime and won't go for much longer (but that may be because of the cork situation). Overall, lovely wine. I wish that this would be the norm for California Cabs. That being said, no way that this was worth the $327 CAD price tag.
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10/28/2021 - iiiwine wrote:
Brought to first Naples Wine Dinner at Bellerive
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9/11/2021 - drrobvino wrote: 93 Points
Beautiful Napa Cab.
Pencil lead, coffee grounds, black currant, and black cherry fruit.
Beautifully long and deep finish, with grippy tannins and perfectly moderated acidity.
Drinking nicely now through 2026+.
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8/11/2021 - Time traveller Likes this wine: 94 Points
To quote the group YES, Yours is no disgrace! Never surprised by the longevity of this chateau, and the quality of their wines. Consistency in goodness and if you hold it properly you always know what you’re going to get. This wine lives on easily for 20+ years. Glad to have some still!
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8/4/2021 - docdavid Likes this wine: 93 Points
Rich dark color wonderful nose. Chocolate licorice and dark berries with great lasting ambition the palate
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7/10/2021 - jimyeni Likes this wine: 94 Points
Some dark cherry on the nose, floral notes and on the palate smooth through the finish. Could use a touch more structure but really showing well. Love how montelena has a restrained style that never succumbed to the pressure to “go big”
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5/24/2021 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted for 2 1/2 hours but notes written after the fact. Typical Montelena Bordeaux-like characteristics. Dark red cherry, old cigar, earth. Definitely added weight with air
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4/13/2021 - Sleahy511 wrote: 94 Points
After aeration was perfect. Was amazed how we'll it held up. Hints of cherry and coffee.
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3/30/2021 - Tim Heaton wrote: flawed
Drinkable, but not near the freshness of the bottle tasted last August. The cork was ~ 90% soaked, and I think the wine suffered from less than ideal condition.
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3/3/2021 - Alex Brogan wrote: 92 Points
Still young and fresh. The flavours have developed into cocoa and liquorice. Pencil shavings again just like Margaux. Super wine.
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12/31/2020 - KSWinegeek wrote: 92 Points
Elegant wine.
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11/1/2020 - SeaSmoke wrote: 91 Points
Aromas of lavender, red and black currants, spice and violets. Tannins are firm but very approachable. On the palate notes of red currants, berries, spices and florals. Medium finish.
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9/24/2020 - sastewart wrote: 92 Points
Decanted 2 hours ahead. A bit of earth as well as nice dark fruits on the nose. Elegant but still quite primary with black fruit and a bit of spice on the palate. First of 12 bottles. A very nice wine, starting to drink well but still getting better. Probably has at least 10 years. 92+ points.
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9/22/2020 - KSWinegeek wrote:
Drinking very nicely right now, but still has a longer life
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9/7/2020 - gharter Likes this wine: 95 Points
in a really good place, but should hold 15 years +. Decanted 2 hours and it needs it. Great nose with blackberry, cassis. menthol, licorice,earth,leather and herbal tones. Starting to show some secondary character to go with the black fruits, earth, leather, spice, anise, cassis and herbs. Wonderful balance . The tannins have softened in the long finish. No hurry to open the other bottles.
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9/5/2020 - EMTAME wrote:
No rating on this one, as we didn’t give it proper time to decant. Certainly not going over the hill anytime soon.
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8/10/2020 - SC OLY Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark purple color, full of berry flavors, drinking very well.
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8/9/2020 - Tim Heaton Likes this wine:
Fruit lovers rejoice! This full-bodied wine is wildly complex on the nose, with a palate that seems slightly more primary than secondary at this stage. Lots, and lots of potential here - I'd strongly recommend HOLDing for another ~ 5 years, at least; may well live on past that, just in a different form. recommended
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8/8/2020 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 90 Points
At winery. Opened today but very soft. Would be cautious about decanting as it’s quite soft. Best with filet, time to 🍷
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6/26/2020 - lewisrise wrote: 89 Points
Nose of dark fruit and meat. Flavor replicates aroma.
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5/29/2020 - Redteeth wrote:
This bottle was given a serious decanting. The cork was sound and there was a fair amount of sediment. Over time the wine opened up nicely. it exhibited classic Napa Cab. characteristics and was enjoyable. I think this vintage will hold for a few more years.
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5/11/2020 - spacewrangler wrote: 92 Points
Tons of life left w/ menthol mint nose, definitely decant this.
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5/7/2020 - pavel_p Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pnp after a 99 Sassicaia. Was torn between opening this and a 2000 Lagrange. Not much to add to Grapenomads note below, with the exception that I would not call this wine opulent at all (but then mine was Pnp), this is defined by plenty of acidity and a fair bit of oak, the fruit is a balance of dark and red, so not typical Napa Cab, but agree that it does need more time in bottle. Good potential 90+
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4/12/2020 - KSWinegeek wrote: 92 Points
Significant sediment in the bottle. Bright ruby red. Opened up after two+ hour decent to reveal complex nose initially of methanol and later of cedar, black fruit and spice. Blackberry flavors come through on the attack. There were some tannins on the finish, but overall a very approachable wine. It’s been five years since I’ve had this wine. The wine was good back then and will likely be good five years from now.
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2/28/2020 - grapenomad wrote: 90 Points
Deep ruby in the glass. Decanted for 3 hours, opened up to a big nose of mostly oak, but tones of black berry fruit, plum and raspberry as well. Opulent palate that needs taming. High tannins, high acidity, lots of oak sweetness. If you have this in your cellar, wait at least 5 years to come back to it.
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2/22/2020 - AllRed wrote: 88 Points
4th Saturday Group: Old vs Young (T&L's): Double blind. Tar and black fruit notes. Medium-bodied with flavors of black raspberry, black currants and chocolate-covered cherries. Guessed Napa cabernet. Still youthful, this needs more time to develop complexity.
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2/15/2020 - timewithwine wrote:
A slo-ox opening of 3 hours. Plum at the core and ox blood at the rim. The nose abounds with mint, menthol, graphite, cherry and plum. Very much the same on the palate. Eventually, as time passes, roasted tomatoes appears in the mid-palate. The mouthfeel is silky, but not quite as silky as the Linden. At the beginning of the meal the wines are very compatible. But after a bit, the Montelena accelerates and revs past the Linden. Balanced and delivering much satisfaction. Some clumps of sediment on the side. 14.3% alc. With roasted beef tenderloin in mushroom-tomato sauce with Phoebe Marie and her friend, Andrew Hill. Recommended, leaning toward Highly Recommended.
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1/19/2020 - gharter Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted 3 hours and it needed it. Moderate sediment. Wonderful nose with cassis, blackberry, menthol, licorice and herbal tones. On the palate it is starting to show some secondary character to go with the black fruits, earth, leather, spice, anise, cassis and herbs. Wonderful balance between the acidity, tannins and fruit. Only going to get better over the next 20+ years.
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12/25/2019 - SGates Likes this wine: 90 Points
Wonderful Cab nose of cassis. Very dark wine, black fruits dominate with some smoke and a vegital, tannic finish. Nice wine, just less than I was expecting for a $100+ bottle of Montelena Estate...
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12/24/2019 - FLI wrote: 86 Points
No nose at all. Palate inoffensive but nothing special.
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12/10/2019 - vinhonotte Likes this wine: 91 Points
GrandCuvee - Cabernets: Northern vs Southern Hemisphere (The Botanic, Raffles City): Deep ruby. Floral aromas, somewhat of orange blossoms and lavender, and grassy. Acidic and tannic. Flavours of raspberry, twigs, blackberry, some brine and meats. Also a rather terroir-driven earthiness and florals. Fair finish
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11/27/2019 - BRogo Likes this wine: 91 Points
Black pepper, black berry, a bit of rose, dark and brooding. Very pretty nose. It’s drinking very well right now. There’s still a good tannic structure. This wine most definitely has a few more years, but will lose that nice dark fruit element. It’s well balanced. I’d drink now.
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10/27/2019 - ShadowIII Likes this wine: 93 Points
big, rich wine, dark color, black fruits, currants, blackberries, hints of plums, moderate tannins, long finish, many years to go
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9/14/2019 - Redteeth wrote:
This bottle was decanted twice. The cork was fragile and there was a fair amount of sediment. However, the wane was in good shape. it was mature and the tannins had softened and there was smooth dark fruit on the palate. I am not sure this vintage will benefit from further aging.
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8/25/2019 - brouigu1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
An outstanding wine and in its prime drinking stage.
Opened and decanted for 40 minutes with some sediment but not too bad. A full nose of rich black fruits, some cranberry, vanilla and rich oak spices.
The longer this was open the more it reveled. A medium to bold bodied wine. Black cherry, blueberry, leather, pencil lead and oak spices. The finish was amazing and long lasting with a hint of black pepper mixed in.
By far one of the better Estate wines I have enjoyed from Montelena. I have vertical from 06 through 15 and these wines need age to fully develop.
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8/3/2019 - gharter wrote: flawed
A clearly off bottle, the 7th of a case purchased at release. When it was decanted, there was no sediment (i've never seen a 13 year old Montelena with NO sediment. while it improved with the 2 hour decant, it just never got to the fruit, full body that an older Montelena does. Lacking the complexity that previous bottles showed. Stayed on the acidic side. Not sure what the flaw was as it ws not Bret, didn't seem corked, but just not right. No hurry to open the other 5.
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7/10/2019 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 94 Points
Chateau Montelena at the Westin Hotel, San Francisco (Westin Hotel, San Francisco, Ca.): Nose of black cherry, cranberry and boysenberry, same on the palate, big body, juicy fruit, muted flavors, at its best so enjoy now, and a long finish.
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6/22/2019 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
This really jumped out of the glass after some aeration. Good structure, black fruit, black licorice, herbs & spices, and some lovely secondary notes (almost Bordeaux like). This is a well made wine.
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6/22/2019 - ciesel Likes this wine: 90 Points
In a fairly good place now. Still evolving. Fruit is more muted but berries are still present. Earthy and tobacco. Acid is moderate and nicely integrated. I very good cali cab
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6/15/2019 - drrobvino wrote: 92 Points
Tasted this wine next to 1999 Mondavi Cabernet Reserve. The Montelena suffered in this comparison (which shocked me) but on the 2nd day it really came alive, was far less primary and fruity, and tasted like the regal Napa Cab that it is.
Black fruit with some red fruit in the upper register. showing wet soil and green pepper notes and a touch of mint.
The tannins are nicely integrated, and the acidity is perfect. Gorgeous complexity and a nice, med+ finish.
Delicious. Drink now through 2025+.
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4/27/2019 - oldwines Likes this wine: 92 Points
My youngest daughter's birth year, so I have a good bit of this. Decanted at 2:30 pm and tasted through the evening with dinner and then again the next day and 2 days later. initially it has a translucent, medium garnet color with no bricking. The nose has vanilla, red florals, menthol, sweet spices like baking spice and cinnamon. The mouthfeel is smooth with modest tannin (Med-) and bright acidity (Med+). Palate expresses red and black berries, black plum and a good dose of graphite. The finish is a little medicinal and spicy but elegantly long. Classic old-school Cab, very feminine in character. Later in the evening it was spicier and a touch herbal with some cassis and a very soft texture. It was great with a grilled NY strip steak and spicy Asian, ginger/soy glazed brussels sprouts. Next day it was a bit more austere but not necessarily in a bad way and tart with distinct chocolate and leather notes on the palate. Overall quite enjoyable for me, who prefers elegant styles over powerful ones but to be honest this is not my favorite vintage for Montelena estate Cab.
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4/25/2019 - msuwine wrote: 88 Points
This green and barky Cabernet might excite some Old World palates, but its lack of intensity and depth left me wanting more - much more. Light red in color, almost translucent like a Pinot; light in body; nose of olive, gravel, and herbs. Tastes of black cherry, raspberry, leather, and eucalyptus, with a grainy and peppery finish. 13.9% alcohol. Blend of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. Fans of Mayacamas or Corison might want to seek this out, but I found this to be watery and muted. (I decanted about an hour, but - as the comment from oldwines helpfully suggested - a much longer decant may have added more weight to the wine.)
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1/11/2019 - tak4 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bay Area Wine Tour; 1/11/2019-1/15/2019 (Bay Area, CA): Tiny touch of brick. Blackberries on nose. Gorgeous palate - softened tannins, cassis, mixed spices. We bought a bottle of this and enjoyed with dinner that night,
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1/4/2019 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 93 Points
Velvety, balanced and well integrated flavors. Gorgeous nose of black fruit and forest floor. Brambly black raspberry fruit, smooth cedar, shy black pepper and a lengthy silky finish. Drinking great now and will continue to drink well for many more years.
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12/13/2018 - timewithwine wrote:
Popped and poured, resulting in a nose of tobo smoke, plum, cassis, black currant, and mint with the palate tracking the nose. Broad on the attack and mid-palate, but coming up a bit short on the finish. The fruit of the wine invites and satisfies the palate. A very balanced wine that delivers much satisfaction. Compared to the ‘07, this is brighter and more refined, delivering greater satisfaction. Some sediment on the side. 14.3% alc. With roasted beef tenderloin in a butter-herb crust with mushroom ragout to celebrate John Sills’ retirement with John and Anne and Alan and Kathy Garrison. Recommended.
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11/27/2018 - bibendumrrb wrote: 94 Points
Worth waiting 12 years. And it will get better.
Tasted alongside Fisher Wedding from 2006. Both great wines, but the Montelena has more life in it -
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11/22/2018 - davidandrose Likes this wine:
Pop and pour from 375 as a 2nd wine on thanksgiving. Still has decent depth and structure out of the bottle but this largely dissipates after 40 mins. Time to drink and will say the standard format should be consumed in the coming year.
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11/19/2018 - rlove wrote: 91 Points
The 2004 Montelena is a wine of finesse and elegance, with cassis, tobacco leaf, cedar, and a trailing medicinal note. Soft texture, silky tannins. A little more cedar on the palate than my preference. Two-thousand six is a vintage of split personality, with some wines overripe from the July heatwave and others in the style of a cool year; this is the latter. Drink over the medium term.
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10/25/2018 - SeaSmoke wrote: flawed
Bad bottle. Fruit non-existent. Flat.
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9/11/2018 - spacewrangler wrote: 93 Points
Delicious, great fruit and earth component. Can hold for another 10 years for well stored bottles.
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8/12/2018 - drrobvino wrote: 91 Points
2nd of 6 bottles purchased. Decanted and enjoyed the bottle over 1.5 hrs, paired nicely with grilled ribeye steaks.
Gorgeous and pure on the nose, with camphor, cassis, pencil lead, and some tar, this wine was not as open-knit as my bottle 8 mos ago. Seemed more old-school Bordeaux-like, rather than a fruit-driven Napa Cab.
The stuffing is all there, the mouthfeel is velvety with refined tannins and nice earthy elements to add to the complexity.
Relatively long finish, this wine is nearing it's peak, where I believe it will stay and offer optimal drinking through 2025+.
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7/12/2018 - Grinner wrote: 92 Points
Track and Wine at Woodwards; 7/12/2018-7/13/2018 (Woodward's): 11/16 note: Blackberry, boysenberry, raspberry fruits with earth, stone, mint, and oak overtones. Tannic and long but not as deep as Montelena can be, so some were disappointed when it was unbagged. 91pts and tannic on day 2. I'm going to wait a year, 2017-2022 would be best.
Pretty close to that now, tannins folding in better. Now-2026.
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6/30/2018 - gtilley wrote:
A cool year apparently. Rather meaty, with ripe tannins.
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6/30/2018 - subir Likes this wine: 93 Points
Still a little young and rowdy, but a great bouquet and weight. Popped and poured over an hour, might have been better decanted.
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1/27/2018 - kdkimbell wrote:
Cooler vintage. Give more time.
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12/17/2017 - AllRed wrote: 88 Points
Intimate Dinner Series: Cabernet Sauvignon (G&R's): Double blind. Aromas of black fruit, violets and vanilla. Structured. Fine tannins with flavors of cassis, vanilla and black cherry liqueur. As it sits the oak becomes more dominant, with a charred aroma along with brown sugar evident. Blue and black frut flavors with plenty of toasted wood showing. The oak is a little distracting at the moment.
Flight ranking:
My #4, Domino's #2
Group #3, 18 pts
The couple that contributed the Monte Bello also opened this, so I don't think this was decanted in advance either. As I noted from another recent taste, patience will be needed here. Hold until 2021+.
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12/17/2017 - gharter Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted 2 hours and it needed it. Sampled when it was first opened. As a Montelena wine often does, it showed thin and acidic. After 2 hours, it blossomed into a beautiful wine. Lots in the nose consisting of cassis, blackberry, menthol, licorice. On the palate it is starting to show some secondary character to go with the black fruits, earth, leather, spice, anise, cassis. Wonderful balance between the acidity, tannin and fruit.
Medium bodied wine. Long finish with a smooth almost silky texture. Just starting to enter its drinking window. Huge upside for this wine over the next 20+ years.
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12/1/2017 - drrobvino wrote: 93 Points
This is so delicious, at 13.9% abv for a Napa Cab, it even comes across serious yet restrained.
Cassis, blackberry, menthol, licorice and green pepper notes are wrapped in a beautifully textured, full bodied wine with velvety tannins and perfectly balanced, refreshing acidity. Drink this gorgeous wine now through 2027+.
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11/4/2017 - EMTAME wrote: 92 Points
From 375ml. This opens significantly with air and, at 4 hrs, offers an intoxicating bouquet. The palate is classic Montelena, along with a little more spice than I remember from older vintages. The finish is long and has an Old World signature, with a menthol note developing at the end. This has a long life ahead of it and, from 750ml, is likely to still be a baby.
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11/3/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 88 Points
Napa/Sonoma Trip With Some Exceptional Gems; 11/1/2017-11/5/2017 (1800ft Up Cavedale Road, Glen Ellen, CA): Mini Vertical of '05-'08 at Chateau Montelena. Very dark red color. Drank 1 glass over 75 minutes. CS98, CF2, 22 mos 100% Fr Oak, 28% new. We went younger to older for this tasting. This was the odd man out in the vertical. It was ranked a distant last by everyone except one non wine drinker. A cooler vintage, this was distinctly different, thin mid palate, lighter in body, seemed stemmy and vegetal with choke cherry like fruits. 88pts presently. Hopefully benefits from time.
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10/11/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote: 90 Points
Chateau Montelena Cabernet Estate Vertical (Plum Market - Chicago IL): Tasting, brief note. Also elegantly styled black fruit, more emphasis on finesse than power. Very good balance, good length. Good now.
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7/29/2017 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
Youthful crimson color. Mxed red and dark fruit in the bouquet and on the palate. Medium tannins. Will need to be patient with these.
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6/16/2017 - Tahlequahdave1972 wrote: 93 Points
Ruth's Chris Taste Maker Dinner paired with Petite Filet Mignon, Cipollini ragout, mushrooms and mashed potatoes. We were told by the winery rep that the estate cabernets are made to last 40-50 years in a proper cellar. At 10+ years this cabernet is still young by those standards but still really enjoyable today. Deep, dark purple red color. Nose of dark fruits and floral notes. Medium full body with flavors of vanilla, dark chocolate, earth, cherry, spice and mint. Silky smooth long finish (my note says "fabulous finish") with all elements fully integrated. Classic "old world" style that pairs well with food but can also stand on its own if the opportunity arises.
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6/5/2017 - FLI Likes this wine: 89 Points
This one got better with time. On open after a quick decant was lacking fruit. Fruit emerged after an hour or so. Still somewhat flat.
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5/4/2017 - rossi.wine wrote: 91 Points
Richer and more concentrated compared to the other vintages at this tasting (2004, 2007, 2008, 2013). A little jammy, showing notes of ripe fruit, liquorice, sweet spices, cedar, smoke. Soft tannins, smooth and a little sweet on the palate. Good acidity and length. 90-92
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5/3/2017 - alfagirl Likes this wine: 92 Points
Superb. Smooth and full but not "big" Cali Cab. Wish I had more.
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4/7/2017 - RayT Does not like this wine: 90 Points
Vertical tasting of the 05,06,07,08 estate wine. While this type of wine (more elegant than big) is not my style the 2007 and 2008 were pretty good. I did not enjoy the 05 and 06 especially at this price point.
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3/26/2017 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 90 Points
Half bottle+ consumed with the balance under nitrogen. VERY LARGE pours allowed to breathe in Somm stems for 30 mins, followed over an hour afterwards.
Earth and faint toasted oak notes on the nose, hint of bell pepper. More bell pepper on the palate than I'd prefer, with modest structure behind the aged reddish-black fruit. Cigar, leather. Nice but I've had better for much less. Will see fi the balance of the bottle shows better w air.
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2/5/2017 - mwiens Does not like this wine: 79 Points
Magnum. Bought at the winery. Like drinking flat soda.
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1/16/2017 - ciesel wrote: 90 Points
Didn't quite come together for me this time. Still hints of blueberry and the touch of sweetness on the end. Little more earthy.
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1/11/2017 - GusgooseWine wrote: 95 Points
Well balanced and a pleasure to drink
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12/5/2016 - Aspenhawk Likes this wine: 92 Points
really drinking well right now.. full body, light tannin however. dark red/ruby color
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11/18/2016 - thelostverse wrote: 90 Points
Opened at Boulder with Kucz. Something missing here compared to prior bottles. Still excellent, but a little less of everything. Bottle variation?
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11/16/2016 - ataraxy Likes this wine: 92 Points
2 hour decant
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11/6/2016 - Grinner wrote: 92 Points
20th Annual Lyon 10 Year Retrospective: The Mish Mash (Lyon Den): Blackberry, boysenberry, raspberry fruits with earth, stone, mint, and oak overtones. Tannic and long but not as deep as Montelena can be, so some were disappointed when it was unbagged. 91pts and tannic on day 2. I'm going to wait a year, 2017-2022 would be best.
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10/2/2016 - luxvin wrote: 92 Points
Flavors of Dark Cherry, Chocolate, dried leaves. Excellent color and nose.
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9/17/2016 - Superoreo wrote: 88 Points
Past prime
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9/4/2016 - thelostverse wrote: 92 Points
Pop and pour. I'm sure this was disservice to this bottle as it probably needs more time in cellar. Very nice, but would be better with food and time. Black fruits and baking spice.
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8/30/2016 - dsimmons wrote: 89 Points
IMHO this wine is not ready to drink. Opened two hours prior but still wound tight. Tannin dominated. Will not drink next bottle until 2018.
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8/28/2016 - ciesel wrote: 93 Points
Seems to be a long term candidate. Upon opening was closed. Some fruit but very muted. Seemed nicely made, but what was there was lurking underneath. Decanted for a full three hours after that and it was just beginning to reveal what was hinted at earlier and continued to improve as we drank over the next hour. What stood out to me were the secondary flavors of blueberry/blackberry with a bit of sweetness. Thoroughly enjoyed and will hold on to remaining bottles for the long term.
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8/14/2016 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
Sunday Group: 2006 Napa Cabernets (Our house): Crimson color. Notes of cherry and currants with a subtle earth/dusty component. Full-bodied but elegant and balanced, with flavors of red fruit, vanilla, earth and herbs. Develops floral qualities as it opens. Nice fruit and balance. Very much in a style I enjoy.
My #1, Domino's #5
Group #7, 58 pts
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7/8/2016 - GuWin wrote: 94 Points
Sommersmaking i Sandefjord del I / Norwegian summer night - BYO (Sandefjord): Dyp mørk med vanndig kant. Nyanserte, fruktige toner med hint av vanilje, karamell, blåbær og bjørnebær. Svakt alkoholstikk med portvinspreg. Fløyelsmyk på smak; fyldig, konsentrert, meget fruktig, kompakt, full av mørke bær. Kveldens beste røde!
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5/30/2016 - bluedog Likes this wine: 95 Points
Outstanding! Happy Anniversary Chateau Montelena
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5/5/2016 - englishman's claret wrote: 92 Points
Dark fruit, well balanced, no excess alcohol here. Refined tannin.
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4/1/2016 - thelostverse wrote: 93 Points
Opened at Boulder. Opened but not decanted about two hours prior to dinner. Very approachable now, with consistent notes as prior bottle. Enjoyed it enough to purchase four more bottles. No hurry, but so good already.
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3/20/2016 - wa2ofd wrote: 92 Points
Opened and left in btl for 2hrs, then consumed over the next 3...Tanins resolved...a thick mouth coating, dark fruit...tasty but heavy...
Paired with a perfectly grilled rib steak...Still luv these wines, but can only do once in awhile...
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2/26/2016 - Crowntownff Likes this wine: 96 Points
Drinking great. Strong vanilla on the front palate, with hint of leather, and sweet tobacco. Has a little heat on the back side. Tannins are resolved. Has many years left, no signs of bret.
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12/31/2015 - SeaSmoke wrote: 92 Points
Similar notes as May 2015.
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12/28/2015 - Barnaby33 wrote:
Two bottles consumed. One with mi amor, the other with my life partner, both delicious. This bottle was at it's peak. 2006 was a heat spike year. While I wouldn't say this was an epic bottle of Montelena the winery managed the heat well. Lots of berry fruit and balanced mid palate. Some secondary complexity had developed and no green bell pepper! Finish fades quickly, but evenly.
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12/15/2015 - Rieslingfan wrote:
From 375ml, and this is quite tight and tannic. I am not all that surprised, but other recent vintages (e.g. 2004, 2005) have not been quite so unyielding in this format. Regardless, it does pair well with a steak, as the meat takes the tannins and allow the fruit to compete for space. Overall my advice is wait, and wait a long time, especially if in full bottle format. This is a classic, stern Cabernet.
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11/9/2015 - Bricks wrote:
Drank a magnum at a group dinner. I think it is too early to be drinking this vintage. Was decanted for about an hour but really seemed disjointed and not able to stretch its legs. Would wait if you have it.
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11/7/2015 - Corrie Does not like this wine: 87 Points
Disappointed.
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7/3/2015 - domco wrote:
Similar to last note. Very nice, seems to be in a sweet spot and guessing it will be for a number of years.
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6/29/2015 - cellarid wrote:
Drinking great now with air.
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6/28/2015 - Pknut wrote:
Really very good. There is a dustiness to the palate here, a surprising advanced texture at only nine years old, and I rather like it. There's still plenty of fruit, a good amount of underlying acidiy (that at first, when blinded, with the dustiness, made me think Italian) and this is very nicely tapered and balanced, old-school like. Enjoyed this a lot.
YB pulled this out to pair with the Grateful Dead Fare thee Well, second night.
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6/6/2015 - lovanc@outlook.com wrote:
Balanced red with well integrated tannins and dark red fruit. Lot lighter on the palate that I was expecting which made it food friendly and very drinkable
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5/11/2015 - FLI wrote: flawed
First of the 6 purchased from the winery. I'm calling this flawed - maybe it's the TCA - but it was flat as a pancake - no nose, muted fruit. Not harsh, just lacking any enjoyable characteristics. I sure hope this was a bad bottle and not indicative of the state of the other 5 I have in the cellar.
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5/7/2015 - MC2 Wines wrote:
John comes to town! (Amali (115 E 60th Street, NY, NY)): Nowhere near as put together as it's older brother the 1992. This was a bit more heavy and almost a touch syrupy. I hope it's just a differential of years and not a change in the winemaking style. Still a nice wine though.
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5/3/2015 - SeaSmoke wrote: 92 Points
Opened and decanted for one hour. Aromas of lavender, red and black currants, spice and violets. Tannins are firm but very approachable. On the palate notes of red currants, berries, spices and florals. Medium finish.
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4/29/2015 - KSWinegeek wrote: 93 Points
From Montelena Estate Cab vertical tasting. Dark red color. Tight nose revealing blackfruits and spice late. Blackfuits also on palate. Elegant, smooth, balanced and surprisingly approachable. Very nice.
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4/17/2015 - G8tor80 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very pleasant, drinking nicely now but I think it may still improve some with a little more time. Plenty of fruit, dusty tannins and a moderately long finish.
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3/15/2015 - BinVA Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beat out, only slightly, than the bigger and more complex 07. But drinking a bit smoother than the 07 now and much better than the 08.
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2/15/2015 - SC OLY Likes this wine: 92 Points
Well balanced cab, nice dark fruit on the nose, and very smooth.
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2/8/2015 - KAP wrote: 90 Points
Well rounded but only reinforces conclusion that this vineyard is highly overpriced.
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1/17/2015 - Jona wrote: 81 Points
Full, dense, tannic, and also too robust. A very expensive wine.
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12/14/2014 - Frank_A_M wrote: 91 Points
Deep purple, mild tannins, hint of black cherry, smooth finish.
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10/10/2014 - nzinkgraf wrote:
a waxy black fruit aromas. wonderfully plump fruit on the nose. still gives some mossy notes on the nose. a fresh banana kick on the nose. spice and some lift to the palate.
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7/10/2014 - nzinkgraf wrote:
RRV and Napa Visit; 7/7/2014-8/30/2014 (Napa and Sonoma): Much more nuance than the 2010 that was lots of fruit first. More iron and mineral in the aromas. Stony. Green mossy aromas. Black fruit powder aromas. M+ tannin. Feels much more old world-y.
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5/14/2014 - mflesh Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted as a part of a wine dinner with Bo Barrett at Lonesome Dove Fort Worth TX. This was served with an elk steak, and held up to it rather well. The wine was very dark classic Calistoga dark red, slightly muddy edged. The nose was actually quite attenuated compared to the 2010 that it was served with side-by-side, but there was a nose of anise, blackberry, spice, and a mild sweet floral tone. On the palate was no sign of age. No acidity up front - no alcoholic heat guided missile up front either. The front was all a very dark fruit bouquet, with a hint of jasmine. The middle of the wine was not as soft as the 2004, 1999, or 2010. It reminds me more of the 2001 as it is more intense and robust. This wine will no doubt still be a solid drinker for 15 more years, and I would like to see how this one will develop. I have a magnum of this wine, which will be opened when my unborn child graduates college. A very good wine!
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5/9/2014 - thelostverse wrote: 93 Points
Notes of black fruits with some baking spice (clove and nutmeg). Tasted alongside the '03, I preferred the '06.
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5/9/2014 - AllRed wrote: 94 Points
Cellarmaster Tasting at Chateau Montelena (Chateau Montelena, Calistoga): An underrated vintage for this wine in my opinion as this was very lovely. Aromas of lavender, red and black currants, cocoa nibs, spice and violets. Tannins are firm but fine-grained and approachable. Flavors of red currants, berries, spices and florals. Lingering finish; elegant. Drink from 2019+.
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2/11/2014 - Bob in NC wrote: 92 Points
Had both a '06 Pride Cab and '06 Ch. Montelena Estate Cab. The Pride was quite smooth, but seemed thin compared to the Montelena. The Pride really starting coming around towards end, which was about 90 minutes after decanting. The Montelena Estate had a wonderful complexity and rusticness to it that paired nicely with the filets.
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1/28/2014 - Colima74 wrote: 89 Points
On the nose it smelled corked. And a bit of that on the palate, too. Over a couple of hours, the fruit came out to play, and the red fruit showed through. But I still think this was somewhat flawed.
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12/9/2013 - cellarid wrote: 92 Points
Drinks great with a few hours of air.
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12/8/2013 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 91 Points
375 opened but not decanted and allowed to breathe for an hour prior to following over 2 hours. Black cherry, raspberry, crushed stone and earth. Wine is nicely layered but either needs more time or is just not one of their more inspiring vintages. Some green notes blew off within an hour, tannins are well-integrated adn provide a dryness without any grit or grain.
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11/6/2013 - VinoPKM wrote: 92 Points
Was not earth shattering or mind blowing... but, wow this is some tasty juice. Wine needs at least an hour plus in the decanter to start to show and by then the wine was disappearing too quick (drinking too quickly). Was a hit with dinner @ Capital Grille.
This wine is not fading and is definitely not thin... maybe they thinks this wine is the entry Montelena and not the flagship wine that this is.
Very good Napa Cab- good fruit (dark fruits and currants), spice & coccoa -there is some oak too but I like it in this wine. Not overly complex- but very good.
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10/5/2013 - Badgermitch wrote: 92 Points
As good as ever. not sure what people are talking about. Wine is definitely not fading.
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9/28/2013 - Bodyfxr wrote: 89 Points
Had this bottle at Bachanalia in Atlanta. Decanted during dinner. Deep garnet in color. Red fruits, cassis, berries on the nose with some floral notes. Unexpectedly medium bodied to the point of being rather thin. Not much going on in the middle with a rather flat finish. Must be the vintage as an '09 I had earlier this year was plush and velvity smooth. Perhaps this wine is past its prime. Rather disappointing, especially considering the jacked up restaurant price.
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8/3/2013 - handymom wrote: 87 Points
Definitely fading. Fell apart after being decanted for a couple of hours. Aromas were there, but the palate was thin and the finish, bland.
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7/7/2013 - domco wrote: 91 Points
A lot of cherry notes, well balanced and very, very smooth. Enjoyable, but as C said, no wow factor to it. I'm sure it has some years ahead of it, but seems to be in a sweet spot right now.
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6/3/2013 - Nomadirish wrote: 87 Points
Had this over 2 nights - limited decant but found the wine a little tart and rather "flat" - it may have peaked since not very memorable mouth/flavor
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5/5/2013 - JJB1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Fabulous as always
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4/10/2013 - SonnyChiba wrote: 93 Points
Drank with 07' estate cab from Montelena and thought this kept up to it (would give the 07' a leg up though)...Great smoothness, beautiful nose and color..full body and excellent balance.
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8/28/2012 - Badgermitch wrote: 92 Points
Great Cab from Mentelena. Deep purple on the nose. Tannins are fairly restrained at this point. Terrific today but should be even better in a few years.
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6/23/2012 - candyman wrote:
due to Angie and Laura's generosity were able to compare 07 & 06 I Laura and I liked 07 better with Tappas
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6/15/2012 - CBehr wrote: 93 Points
375ml - aged well with smaller size bottle. Dark color, long legs; spicy, strawberry aromas; dark fruit, med-heavy body, soft tannins; long finish.
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4/7/2012 - Mkond1 wrote: 93 Points
Good legs, nice finish
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3/25/2012 - jperez68 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very well made fruit forward delicious with my Spanish tortilla and shrimp in garlic sauce. Who says that cabs can not complement seafood,I guess it all depends on your mood.
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3/4/2012 - rdsboca wrote: 93 Points
I really liked this wine. The tannins were smooth and silky. Very nice roasted cherry and cassis on the mid palate. Nice long finish. This wine may age well for a little longer but it was in my wheelhouse now.
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2/16/2012 - cellarid wrote: 94 Points
Very classic but the tannins need time. 5 years easy.
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11/16/2011 - bablues wrote: 92 Points
Had at a Thai restaurant in Singapore for 160 SGD. Not the best pairing with Thai food but I had to try this given the price for this was extremely reasonable, as wine in Singapore is crazy expensive. Considering that at another restaurant the Kim Crawford Sav Blanc (which I pay 15 US at Costo) was selling for 150 SGD, this was a steal.
This drank extremely well and saved most of the bottle for after dinner to drink on it's own. Very dark fruits on the nose and pallate, with nice long finish. Very happy with the experience.
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10/18/2011 - arthrovine wrote: 91 Points
This split was slightly hot and disjointed upon opening. There was also the faintest aroma of sweat socks, wet cardboard, and TCA. Despite this subtle contamination, the wine showed napa cab flavors more typical of a bottle with some age. To me it, possessed a structure that was approachable after 90 minutes of air. This was quite good and I'd source some, at a sale price. Thanks P.M.
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9/6/2011 - j30 wrote: 91 Points
Restrained and alcoholic at first, opened up gradually but never really blossomed. Elegent dark berry, forest, herb and oak scent with slight spicyness. Smooth, medium-full bodied, fruity palate. Tannins appeared to have dissolved and the finish was sweet with a bit of spice. Overall I like it quite a lot.
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1/11/2011 - rpenn77 wrote: 87 Points
Not enough fruit to support the tannins. This was a disappointment but it was paired with a 2005 Pahlmeyer and suffered by comparison
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1/9/2011 - Ron Van Holland wrote: 92 Points
A classic and delicious Nouveau Monde cab from the Judgment of Paris hero.
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1/9/2011 - frenchfreddy wrote: 91 Points
a very good wine. great nose with strong american oak smell. v balanced even if young. should age gracefully. tested together withv st pierre 2003 that was less powerful but slightly more classy..same grade for both..still, at above 130$ a bottle, value for money is not great
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10/20/2010 - ews3 wrote: 92 Points
Zachys Robin Hood 2010 Wine Tasting (La venue, NYC): well balanced wine with flavors of black berry fruit and mint. med(+) finish. preferred the 06 estate to the 07 regular...
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9/12/2010 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Much better than when we had it at the winery in May. This is still tight and probably needs another 3-4 years of cellaring.
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7/8/2010 - nycebo wrote: 84 Points
Not loved as much as expected. While it was populated with a fruit forward taste of strawberry and dark cherry, it lacked a balanced acidity and complexity from the region. Indeed, it almost tasted a little sweet. Tannins were soft and nuanced with a med
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6/22/2010 - davidandrose wrote: 91 Points
From a .375 into a decanter, allowed to sit for 30 mins and drunk over the following 90 mins. Restrained at first, opening up slightly as time goes on. Well-balanced fruit and structure, with heavy oak on the nose and some green notes on the profile that faded with time but was disturbing early-on. Time reveals some mocha, leather, glycerin, oak remains on strong on the nose. I'll retry another .375 in 12-18 months.
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6/11/2010 - cellarid wrote: 94 Points
Very classic. Needs years or at least a few hours in decanter. Should be great in 10 years. Very impressive.
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6/6/2010 - LewisW wrote: 93 Points
Like it alot
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5/16/2010 - slywka7 wrote: 90 Points
I think this was opened just prior to us getting to the winery so to me it tasted like it either needed a very long decant or a few more years of age in the bottle. It had some nice berry fruit and a earthiness to it, made in an old world style. This wine could probably go 15 years easily.
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5/8/2010 - RWINO wrote: 91 Points
Dark ruby with a great nose of dark cherry, chocolate, leather, flowers, and damp leaves. On the palate pretty closed, with falvors hinty of the nose. Firm, balanced with good acidity. I would not drink till after2015.
Has the potentail to age into a 95+ point wine.
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4/2/2010 - Redguy wrote: 92 Points
Tasted at winery. Bottle decanted for 20 minutes prior to tasting. Big boy cab that was concentrated yet polished and elegant. Long finish. This showed extremely well for such a young cab. I like the style.
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3/23/2010 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
I am always stunned at how good these cabernets are. 98% Cabernet, 2% Franc. New filtration this vintage to try and remove the Brett character that they have occasionally shown. This would appear to be a market lead decision. The wine rather fine. Still needs time in the bottle.
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