Really impressive juice. Of course it's 17 years old, so I'd hope it's balanced by now. But this could go 10 more years beautifully. So smooth. Oak, dark berries, light acidity and deep velvety tannins.
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Bought a bottle at Boulevard restaurant SF ( classic ) and shared with some new friends. Wanted to see where it is now, as I have two remaining bottles of a 6 pack. 07’ was a big wine year and I found the wines not only big structurally but a little astringent as well. This wine has still, some remnants of the structure and less of the astringency. But overall it is well integrated and balanced. I may be selling it short with a 94 pt rating as it was drinking wonderfully tonight . I’m now comfortable with drinking this wine now and into the next decade, knowing that it’s at its apex or soon approaching it.
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Nose of blackberries, oak, flowers, tobacco. The palate is silky, more than medium body and the alcohol shows just a little. Flavours of blackberry, cherry pie, tobacco. Very long finish with tobacco bitterness. This is classic, lovely and now in its drinking window.
Consumed over 2 hrs at Amrina Valentine’s dinner. Dark ruby, near opaque core, pretty perfumed nose dominated by red and black fruit, spice, eucalyptus and flowers. Med weight, moderate acidity and velvet tannins that are nearing fully resolved. Finish lingers in a slow sultry way. Soft, refined and elegant wine.
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On the palate: Ripe red fruits, ripe black fruits and green bell pepper again. Ripe soft tannins and a long finish.
Got that typical ripe Napa Valley fruit, but with some more old world notes as well. For me it felt like it lacked the power and wood for that Nappa Valley factor, and lacked the Elegance that Bordeaux has. It's Kinda floating in between those two styles, and then I would rather go for or the more bold or more elegant.
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BYOB dinner NOTK (NOTK, Rotterdam): Medium ruby in color, hardly any bricking. Medium+ intensity with cassis, a lot of (black) fruit, green bell pepper. Medium+ acidity, medium+ tannins, long finish with a sweet fruit note.
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Really excellent Montelena. Maybe they need 15 years plus on them. Beautiful nose of red fruits, flowers, cedar. Silky and ripe on the palate, tannins resolved, nice acidity keeps things fresh. Looked and tasted like a 5-year-old wine. Really nice stuff.
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Consistent with my notes from 5 years ago. Pretty down the middle of the fairway, still reasonably tannic but good overall balance. Good for a while yet.
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There is still life in the 2007 Montelena, not a lot but very nice to enjoy a classic old Napa Cabernet, dried fruit, savoury spices, dusty fine tannins a little cigar box wrapping up the palate. More advanced than other producers at this stage but again I enjoyed this wine.
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Gave this a 2-ish hour decant. Still some tannin to be resolved. Stronger early during dinner and flagged a bit later in the evening. Nice Napa cabernet in a more restrained style. I prefer the 2001, but would be interested to have them side by side in 5 years.
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This took a little time to open. We gave it an hour and half decant. It was excellent. It had really great Napa fruit but with some nice secondary flavors like leather and earthiness. In a good place right now. It was a little better by itself than with the beef ribs we had.
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Took every bit of 75 min to open, but even then showed significant hot notes, including methanol which had me worried. At 90 min, smoke, charcoal, dried cherry, saddle leather appeared from nowhere and the beast became a beauty! Nice tension on the palate that complimented a variety of entrees. Went quick!
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16 years old but still has a very tannic structure. Loads of dark cherry, leather and menthol. Still needs time to unwind. This probably needs another 5-10 years to drink in prime but with some air and a ribeye very easy to enjoy now. 93+
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Deep ruby with garnet rim. Pronounced, developing aromas of dried fruits, dark cherry, tobacco, sour cherry, asparagas, smoke, violet. Med(+) body, dry, high acidity, med tannins, high alcohol, long finish. Compared to 2019, tannins and oak are more integrated but this vintage seems more red-fruited and floral in nature. No jammy fruit.
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Opened for 2 hours, then decanted for 90 minutes. Served with a variety of grilled beef cuts. Compared very well with 2012 Monte Bello and 2006 Chateau Musar, which were also excellent.
Nicely integrated and tannins seem to be receding, though still present. I cannot tell if it’s at its at it’s peak as another reviewer has noted. Wish I had more of it. Just delightful with the beef. Depending on how many are left in your cellar I would suggest drinking sooner. Definitely benefits from the breathing/decanting.
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Color, nose and palate consistent with my review of my last bottle 22 months ago. This seemed more fruit forward and jammy - especially for a Montelena Estate. Really in a good state right now, but with Montelena it is always difficult to predict the peak.
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Decanted 6.5 hours.Before decant very fruity and almost like a cherry cough drop. Dark cherry with herbal notes ( not able to categorize ) cocoa powder and anise on the finish. Very nice bottle. Still has room to cellar.
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This is a brilliant example of Napa CS from a good vintage... Paired perfectly with braised short ribs, au gratin potatoes, asparagus and pasta a la tayden... Aging gracefully. Like Jim Croce says, "if I could save time in a bottle..." This is what I'd like to do.
A beautiful nose of plum, red currents, cassis, tobo, mint, leather, and anise. The color is an opaque plum from core to rim. The wine is nicely balanced. The finish of leather, anise and mint is long. Some chunks of sediment. 14.3% alc. With grilled (beef) strip steaks under slices of blue cheese. 10.22.22. Highly Recommended.
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Drank over a 4 hours period. When popped and poured, it was disappointing. Thin, almost sour, with decent cherry cola nose but also green wood that was off-putting. I would have given 88 pts at that stage. After about 3 hours of air it picked up weight, the woodiness receded, and the fruitiness became much more complex and enjoyable - cherry, cola, lavender (?), vanilla, and just a lot more fun. Palate still a bit thin. Upgraded to 91 pts based on this last glass.
For a 15 year old wine, I was surprised to see the cork come out like new. Very little wine and sediment on the cork at all. Drank over the course of a few hours. Plenty of the traditional Montelena fruit with cassis, cedar, and spice. Tannins are well integrated and this is drinking nicely right now. This wine has plenty of life left and with more time will bring forward more tertiary notes and complexity to be even better.
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I probably said this in some past Montelena comment, but have loved this wine since gifted a case of the 1984 way way long ago. The wine is aging beautifully, on to secondaries, with years to to. Montelena is true to itself, has not become every Napa cab. Long live Montelena!
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The nose on this was a bit funky at first. Upon opening and removing from its original wooden case, the distinct smell of a corked bottle was unmistakable. Fortunately, the funk on this bottle blew off and all was well. The color is an opaque plum from core to rim. Nose and flavors of plum, cassis, mint, leather, and licorice. The mouthfeel is opulent, but not a bit overdone; nicely balanced. Some sediment. 14.3% alc. With bone-in pork chops. 06.25.22. Highly Recommended.
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I enjoyed this, but I was a little underwhelmed. Dark purple with slight reddish brim. Not terrifically aromatic, but pleasant with dried blackberry and undertones of leather. All in balance in the glass with reserved fruit and nice layers of secondary components and supported acidity and mature tannin. Finish was a little short. Very elegant, but it left me wanting more out of the glass. Decanted for about an hour, and left in the glass for an additional hour.
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T-minus 1 day until 55, and drinking the good stuff. This is early, even from 375ml, but open and giving with plenty of ripe black fruit, some vanilla and spice shadings, and firm finishing tannins that are going to stand up to the fruit as it continues to age. Zero regrets opening one now, as it’s in a happy, boisterous place. Content to age my remaining bottles, since there is a ton of material to stand up to the evolution.
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Amazing complex and mature cali cab. Complex mix of black currant, red cherry, tobacco and chewy tannins. Lots of life left in this (as long as cork holds up. my cork broke on removal but was still a good seal).
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Kept getting better and better over 4+ hours. Effusive nose with pretty mint and spice aromas accent the plum fruit. Richly fruited and initially overt, though this gains subtlety, nuance and precision with air. Long, complex finish with rich fruit and a medley of sear, spice, tobacco and bell pepper complexities.
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In my cellar since release, decanted at 3:45 pm and tasted over 7+ hours with some left for tomorrow. Labeled as 14.3% ABV. Tasted along side the 2003, both warm vintages. Slightly translucent, dark garnet. This is definitely tasting more ripe and forward. Nose is richer, rounder and fruitier with blackberry, black tea, licorice and eucalyptus also on the palate. 3 hours in it is more herbal and very rich in texture with a similar flavor profile. Good structure but not especially drying tannin. Best around the 3 hour point but pretty consistent throughout until about the 7 hour point when it started to dry out some. Overall, complex but more fruit forward than most of the Montelena Estate Cabs I've had, which is most of them. Great with grilled steaks but overall I preferred the 2003 over this vintage. Plenty of life left, at least through the late part of this decade.
p.s. Next evening this was still pretty rich and round, seemed to hold up a little better than the 2003.
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Nearly 5 hrs in the decanter but fairly late into the ppl party. In a solid place and well balanced, this is in a reply fine spot and doesn’t seem to need ta rush to open my remaining bottles.
Sorry my notes aren’t detailed but it’s wine 5 or 6 of the eve and the accompanying brisket and. Hand pies are awesome
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Gorgeous color. A little lighter red with a bit of pepper on the nose. Lighter palate but finish goes on and on. Nuanced, definitely not a one trick pony. Gets better the more you think about it!
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Dark fruit, cedar, graphite, and forest floor. Wonderful, still getting better, wish I had more bottles. Had with a prime tenderloin roast and it really went well.
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Old world style. Dark fruit with notes of leather, anise, cedar, and earth with long finish and silky tannins. This wine is drinking very well right now IMHO.
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Dark ruby red in color. Cedar predominant on nose.. Approachable, blackberries and other black fruit on palate, some tobacco and persistent finish. Ready now or maybe some years from now.
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Tight upon opening. Definitely needs decanting. After 2 hours opened up nicely and was very good with beef tenderloin. Did not have a full chewy mouthful like I hoped for. I don’t often have wines this old so have nothing to compare it too. Just expected more.
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Consistent with my first note from a few years ago. Obviously a very good wine. I found it to be medium in body with good cherry flavor that became more dark fruit as the night progressed. The wine is more subtle than the big Napa Cabs. Let breathe for 1.5 hours prior to starting it, then drank over the next 2 hours. Personally disappointed in this wine. Especially given the aging. Not one for me. Also agree that this wine is overpriced for what it is. Should be $50 - $75, not the $125 price point.
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I realize that this score is higher than many for this wine. Perhaps because it was from magnum, but this was the best wine from this estate that I have had, and I have tried several vintages. Full flavored but not abrasive, alcohol without heat, fruit in balance with the tasty tannins, red fruit dominates on the nose and palate with additional hints of chocolate and licorice. This is fine wine.
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90 minutes in a decanter, following an enjoyable '03 Pontet Canet. Nose shows a surprising amount of youth for its age with modestly dark fruit, tobacco and a hint of dirt. Not as Bordeaux-like as I often see in an aged Monty.
Wine is a bit bit light on the palate while showing nice integration between the remaining fruit and tannic backbone. A bit acidic as well.
Showing its age well and in a good place. This will continue to soften, and gauge your window accordingly. Shortening my drinking window to 2022 to ensure there's sufficient structure to suit our preference.
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Sublime silky smooth elegence, the signature style of Ch. Montelena. Was a spot on pairing with our grilled skirt steak salad and roasted root vegetables. Unfortunately, the last of our '07's, we're on to the '08's!
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This took some time to open up. I drank my first glass too soon and fortunately had a chance to try it again with another hour of air, which revealed much more complexity. Blackberry, oak, and vanilla with no rough edges.
My last bottle and it did not disappoint. I’m kicking the score up to 96 after rating it 94 in 2015. Back then I complained about a little heat. That’s gone now. Juicy and smooth. I decanted it, but honestly it didn’t need air. Prime drinking window right now for my taste. Would drink up. A good way to “celebrate” coronavirus quarantine, lol.
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Chateau Montelena tasting at winery: Exotic and dense aromatics - crushed stone, crushed flowers, anise, blackcurrant, dark florals. Complex palate with very nice elegant density in the middle. Fine tannins, plenty of structure. Needs time.
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Really tight out of the bottle. Opened up after 30 minutes but remained fairly restrained, ala Bordeaux style. Not sure this will benefit from more time in the cellar.
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Pretty nose shows a savory Bordeaux profile yet unmistakable New World fruit, with blackberry, underbrush, cedar, and wood spice. Textural, like velvet, with great density to the flavors of dark fruit, menthol, and spice. Small, plush tannins. The 2007 Montelena has at least 20 years left in it. Drink through 2039.
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Decanted over six hours. Drank over two days. This wine is huge needs another three to five years of cellaring. Abundance of tannins on back end that became more manageable on day two. Notes of dark fruit, tobacco and leather with pencil shaving and cigar box. Really needs to develop over time. A big and potentially multilayered gem with more cellar time.
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My first bottle of 12 acquired from the winery on release. Double decanted over 90 minutes at 9:30am then transported and finally tasted from 7:30-9:00pm. The wine is a translucent, medium garnet crimson. Initially the nose had a lot of charcoal, some vanilla and red berry. Very closed but “correct”...nothing seemed wrong compared to some others who have recently experienced a disjointed wine. Later when serving, the nose had to be coaxed out with some swirling but had burnt embers, red and black berries, plum, cassis, some vanilla, and some herbal and mineral undertones. Good acidity and medium to full bodied mouth feel. Finish is moderately long and pretty densely textured with more dark fruit and a little menthol. Some saved and tasted the next morning was softer and more densely fruited with rich tar and chocolate. My conclusion is this is pretty much classic Montelena Estate Cab styled, though at this tasting is not in the top echelon of bottles I’ve had in the last decade. I think it needs another half decade or more in the cellar to be at its best and as usual needs extensive decanting. If I had not needed to transport this I would have given it fully 8 hours in an open decanter.
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very disappointed cork was bad and flavor was off thinking it was past it's drink date but after a couple of emails from other cellar tracker subscribers I decided to decant what was left of the bottle with the cork floating in it and actually was decent, thanks to those who took the time to reach out to me, I was ready to pour down the drain a very expensive bottle
Bottle 1 of 4. Consumed over 2 days, this wine showed better the 2nd nite. Notes of black cherry, kirsch, black currant, with a sprinkling of black pepper, some wood embers, and perhaps plum pit. This wine showed a long and complex finish, elegantly perfumed, with perfectly balanced acidity and a long and lip-smacking finish. Delicious overall, drink this pretty wine now through 2028 or so.
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On a prior bottle we drank last year, we were not overly impressed, but I can't remember what food we ate with the wine. This time, we opened it at a steak house, and that made all the difference. The people who drank it with their steak/prime rib absolutely raved. So, I guess that makes all the difference. This wine needs to be drank with strong food like steaks.
By far this is the most consistent Estate vintage. I have the Estate wines from 2005 though 2014 and the 2007 has maintained a 93 point score for me.
A shorter decant of 1 hours and paired with a ribeye steak. Same dark color, same beautiful aroma of black fruits, leather and spices and same palate of fruits, spices and hints of vanilla with medium tannin and balanced acids & alcohol.
Great wine now and should be for several more years.
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When I first opened the long sealed wooden case, I know I smelled TCH. Pulling bottles and smelling each, I decided to risk using one of the bottles, but I suspect at least another case-mate is corked. Popped and poured, resulting in a nose of plum, black currant, forest floor and some tobo smoke. As with the ‘06, with the palate tracks the nose. Just yet, the wine is a bit tight and I’m wondering if I should have decanted it. Like the ‘06, it too comes up short on the finish. Neither wine has the long, elegant finish I’d hope to find. The acidity is a bit much; yes, the acidity, not the tannins are what jars the palate. From attack to finish, the wine is a touch sharp; so much so that it detracts from pleasure. Compared to the ‘06, this is more angular, maybe tighter and definitely less balanced. Some sediment on the side. 14.3% alc. With roasted beef tenderloin in a butter-herb crust with mushroom ragout to celebrate John’s retirement with John, Alan, et uxs. Leaning toward Recommended with Reservations.
Somewhat disappointed, little body left of this bottle in compare to 4 years ago.. minimum still dark purple color, dried fruit, some floral aroma, over all refreshingly drink, but not as good as it should be, I think it is on the way out...
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Tasted after opening and got a big whiff of alcohol and predominate in the taste. Decanted for 4 hours and then drank over another 1 ½. Alcohol faded after decanting so that it wasn’t overwhelming. At 11 it is still young with plenty of fruit and subtle tannins. Much more French than California despite the high alcohol. I get the dark fruits, leather, spice and earth others got with a hint of vanilla. It was incredibly smooth drinking with a long finish. In my mind it is just getting to its drinking window and will go 15+ yrs. more. Drank with a prime rib dinner with roasted brussel sprouts and Vidalia onions.
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Decanted 2 hours. Just starting to enter a good drinking window. Quite aromatic with blackberry, anise, spice, earth, a touch of leather. On teh palate, dark fruits, anise, coffee, leather, earth and spice. A touch of herb and cedar in the finish. The tannins are starting to soften. For me, Chateau Montelena cabs start showing well at 10 years and just keep getting better with age.
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The supposed "Goldilocks" vintage. Nose is on the herbaceous side, with olive notes, but the palate is a different story offering rich and ripe cabernet fruit.
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The third of the 2007 Cabernets that our group drank last night. The other two being a Cadence Bel Canto and a Stewart. We opened this bottle and slow ox'd it for three hours, decanted it and let it sit two more hours. The nose, was blueberry with a hint of fresh brewed coffee. The palate was blueberry, plum, fig, coffee and dried thyme. The finish was long and smooth. Really drinking well at 11 years old. I have one bottle left in my cellar and I am putting a 2022 tag on it. Really want to see how this wine ages at the 15 year mark.
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My score was way too high on my previous bottle. This wine is just average and not worth the price. QPR is terrible. The wine is just out of whack and not balanced. The alcohol, tannins and fruit are not harmonious or integrated. The nose is nice but then the taste is tart and astringent. Tannins are fading but so is the fruit. I think 89 is generous and I actually think it’s more like 87-88. This is not a great effort by Montalena in a generally pretty good vintage.
This has turned into a smooth, elegant wine with great structure, well integrated flavor and soft oak tannins with a long lingering finish. Truly enjoyed - glad I have several more.
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Gorgeous color and lovely nose. Balanced tannins and fruit. A great bottle but this is one of my favorite wines and with 10 years of age and a great vintage, its lighter than I would have hoped and not as much of the blockbuster I thought I was buying. As such a bit of a lower rating overall. This one suffered from too high expectations. Its a great bottle and delivers the basics of what it should.
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So good, not unlike the 2007, but slightly bigger, slightly more richness with a bit more fruit, some tobacco, long; I just love the balance in both the '97 and '07 tonight. The Grace and Abreu were great but almost too intense. 10 years on dinner at Conrads.
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Opened 3 hours prior to serving. Nose was closed; almost imperceptable. Rich dark red color with purple rim. Smooth velvety tannins well integrated with flavors of dark berries and cherry cola. Rich mouth feel (2% milk) and long finish. Acidity beginning to fade; drink soon.
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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. CS99, CF1, 20 mos 100% Fr Oak, 28% new. We went younger to older for this tasting. They refer to this as the "Goldilocks" vintage because in theory everything went perfectly during the vintage. There's been some evolution of this wine since I had it two years ago, but still it seems more reclusive and not quite ready to play fully. The nose does gradually tantalize with cedar, pencil, and some high toned tobacco on the dark fruits. The palate too shows dark fruit, cassis, dark berries, wood, and some scorched earth. Still youthful. My #3 as it just wasn't as giving as the '05 presently. Still thinking this will benefit from 3(+) more years. 92(+)pts.
Chateau Montelena Cabernet Estate Vertical (Plum Market - Chicago IL): Tasting, brief note. Subtle, restrained and subdued, much less forthcoming vs the bottles tasted a few days ago. Same black fruit, more firm, less charm, but just as nuanced. Upside from here. Decant if drinking now.
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Full-bodied and rich with seductive aromas. Drinking well with solid structure and plenty of fruit. Loved the old-world fruit and not overdone oak integration. Beautiful wine with plenty of years ahead although I'm not sure it will improve from where it is today.
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Celebrating the closing of escrow on our CA home, a house we thought we'd own until retirement and socialism made CA unbearable, financially and politically. Opened and aired 45 mins but not decanted; followed over 2.5 hours. Muted nose of tea, rosemary and black cherry, maybe some licorice. Watery black cherry flavor as a base, aged cedar. Shows elegance but not the layering or depth I look for in a top-vintage Monty. Probably in the heart of its drinking, will try another bottle in '18 and assume best drinking byy 2020-22.
Dark fruit and pencil lead on the nose and palate. Medium finish. Decanted the wine for 45 minutes. I will wait for at least a year before trying another bottle. This wine is still young.
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Nose with dark fruit, forest floor and palate with dark fruit, currant and tobacco. The finish was medium to Ling and wine possessed nice balance. I decanted for a hour prior to tasting. This bottle was much better than the prior one from the spring.
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Completely agree with some of the reviews that, while it is obviously a very good wine, it is not a $100 + wine. Drank it next to a similarly priced earlier vintage Phelps Backus, and the Backus put the 2007 Montelena Estate to shame. But, if the Montelena were $50, I would be raving, and would give it a higher rating.
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Obviously a very good wine. I found it to be medium in body with good cherry flavor that became more dark fruit as the night progressed. The wine is more subtle than the big Napa Cabs. Let breathe for 1.5 hours prior to starting it, then drank over the next 2 hours. Agree with other reviewers that this wine is probably just now reaching its peak. Also agree that this wine is overpriced for what it is. Should be $50 - $75, not the $125 price point.
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Tasted after the 2008, this was more layered and complex. Very well balanced, good acidity, ripe, but grippy tannins and sweet fruit. Lovely length. The best of the red Ch. Montelena in this vertical. Drink or keep. 93-95
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This was middle of the fairway quality reasonably aged cab. Nice drinking, good flavors, balance, etc. Nothing mind blowing or extreme, just good drinking. Wish it was $50.
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Forest floor, earthy nose with subtle dark fruit, soft tannins and medium finish. Paired nicely with ribeye. I liked the wine much better 3 years earlier. I hope it is still evolving and will open up again. Disappointed given the reported expectations of aging potential of these wines.
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Vertical tasting of the estate wines (05,06,07,08) at the winery. First time drinking Chateau Montelena estate and the last and 10th winery of a 3 day trip. I drank a lot of BIG wines which is my preference, so maybe a bit unfair to this wine. This was the best of the vertical which is not surprising for an 07.While I found this to be well made this was more of an elegant wine and a touch on the light side. Not sure how well this is going to age. The 2007's I have been drinking of late do not appear to be aging as well as I thought they would. This is too light of a wine for my palate at this price point.
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After being disappointed of late on some 'older' (7-10 yrs) Napa cabs this a great reminder that some producers can build a wine to age a bit. Delicious fruit, nice and fresh, well balanced. A bit lighter for cab (probably why it's holding up so well), great with dinner. Our last bottle but seemed fresh enough to go many more years.
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10 years old, gorgeous color and fruit aroma right after open. 2 hour decant then beautiful and dark aroma, a luxury cab, velvety but not too soft, good fruit, drink now or continue to wait. One of my favorite Napa cabs
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full bodied black fruit driven wine with notes of raspberry, smoke and perhaps some earthiness. CM always makes their wines in an ageworthy style, and this is no different, though the 07 is starting to shed some of the tannic cloak (tannins are not astringent) with the fruit emerging more prominently. I liked it a lot but not blown away, while others liked it more than me
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Decanted for 90 minutes. Cassis, raspberry, very faint vanilla and a hint of pine tar on the nose. In a very nice place at present, though a bit light on the palate; red fruit, leather and some dust that polishes the wine off nicely. Finish isn't as long as I might like, but its nonetheless quite enjoyable. Will try another bottle in 6 months to gauge longevity.
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This wine in my opinion is not ready to drink yet. It was decanted for 3 hours and then drank over the next two hours. The wine was very closed and unapproacable initially. The tannis definately covered up the fruit and the alcohol also was prevalent.
The wine in the last 30 minutes finally gave way to some really nice, layered fruit & less alcohol taste. This is a big wine that needs more time.
It was paired against a 2009 Spottswoode Estate & if you didn't know you would have guessed the Montelena was the younger wine as it was much more tight. Montelena in my opinion is not in the same league as Spottswoode. A good wine bordering great but not in the top echelon.
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Shows a bit hot at first before settling down and giving up notes of dark fruit, spice, perfume and florals. Full-bodied and very well-balanced, with flavors of mixed fruit, warm spice, black cherry and just a bit of earth too. With a little more swirling, there's a Bordeaux-ish quality to this wine that I find absolutely delightful. This is my wheelhouse for Napa cabernets- those done with an "old world sensibility." Long, balanced finish. In the running for my wine of the night. 95+ pts.
We thought a nice pair of 2007s would be a fun theme and a welcome pair of wines for Rich's first tasting in some time after the surgeries. This too had been double decanted about four hours before the flight. Our first bottle to be opened, and I think I will seek out some more.
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Opened for father's day. Did not decant, but opened about 2 hours before serving. Very nice Cabernet entering its drinking window. Intense cassis with moderate tannins still largely hidden by the fruit, lengthy finish. Served with duck breast and new potatoes confit and the Montelena was a an excellent match with the balanced acidity and tannin to balance the fat in the duck. This wine will be even better in a couple of years and should have a long life.
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I liked this a lot. This really shows off the ripeness of Napa while retaining excellent balance. You don't really feel the heat here in the alcohol but the fruit is lovely and rich. Starting to take on some very nice sous bois, farm notes. Fine tannins, long and positive finish.
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This was a real surprise, given I've had several high 90-point cabs recently and found them disappointing. Again, maybe it's a question of expectations. But this seemed less "dense" than the big boys, which meant I could actually taste the wine. Held together well over two nights under pump. Good balance of fruit and structure. Maybe I just don't have the taste buds for 99 point wines. :)
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I'm not typically a Cali cab drinker so this is with somewhat of a grain of salt. I think this needs more time to shed some baby fat. Very round with blueberry and casis notes. Lot's of dark berry on the noose with some cedar. I am honestly not sure how this will age from here but will give my remaining bottles a couple more years to try next.
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Very nice wine. Great nose, deep color, smooth mouthfeel, bursting with fruit. A little heat on the back end but that might smooth out with even more age? High quality stuff!
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Had alongside a '94 Estate. This had a better nose. Similar to the 94 in many ways - similar flavor profiles of dark berries, currant, menthol and some mineral. Decanted for 4 hours. Good stuff.
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Drank the '01 and '07 side by side, along with 4 other cabs. The Ch. Montelena s drank more youthful for their vintages than the others. These are more elegant style versus the power of the others. Was my #6 cab of the evening. The '07 was my #3.
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3 Cabernets - 2 Vintages each. Six Total Wines paired with Prime Rib. I love drinking good wines side by side!
'07 Chateau Montelena Estate - Still a bit tannic. But I preferred the fruit profile on this as compared to the '01. Still, one has to remember that Montelena is a much different style than a Caymus or Sherwin though. Score - 92
'01 Chateau Montelena Estate - if drinking on its own, this is still a very good wine. But against the competition, it just did not have a chance. Score - 90
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PNP which was major mistake. Drank over five hours, starting with grilled porkchop dinner, finishing with some dark chocolate much later. Initially jammy, almost tomato juice texture, so much front end fruity and little to follow. After a while, some focus, some back end, and will look forward to finishing tonight. But no reason at all to drink now. Many 07 are ready now, but not this monster. Impossible to judge longevity at this point
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Restaurant w DN in Tokyo. Opened and not decanted, wine was at room temp from travels, followed over 90 mins. Dark fruits were surprisingly aged given the wine's youth, tannins medium but very approachable. Dark chocolate, aged oak with a light toast provide a nice sweetness to this. No rush
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From Montelena Estate Cab vertical tasting. More expressive nose than earlier vintages with cedar/tobacco notes. Typical black fruit with stylish edge and ample acidity. Elegant. Tannins present, but relatively approachable given the youth. Long finish. More acidity than earlier vintages
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1.5 hour decant. Tasted blind with 2 small glasses over 4 hours. Surprisingly spicy, such that I was initially thinking syrah. There was significant tannins and it just didn't seem ready at this stage. Good nonetheless, but needs to settle.
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Worldwide $100+ Wines Double Blind (Edina, MN): Very dark red/purple color. One and a half hour decant. Drank 2 pours double blind over 3 hours. This wine had me stumped. I was thinking this was Southern Hemisphere from the ripeness and the eucalyptus that was on both the nose and palate. It was clearly young, but not what I thought would be Montelena. The nose starts with eucalyptus, some heat that fairly quickly blows off, spice, oak, black fruits, and just a touch of savory character. The palate is full bodied with blackberry and cassis, a bit of plum, sleek and supple, quite soft on the mouth, with some eucalyptus and briar that courses through to the finish with some wood and savory notes. This isn't quite what I would have expected, but very good nonetheless, and I think in 5 more years it will be outstanding. 92(+)pts.
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Not a fan of the wine at this point. Taste more like an Australian Shiraz with blueberries, heavy floral notes, oak and ripe fruit. Not too balanced and I would advise to hold and hope this gets better.
Drank alongside a '07 Ch. Montelena non-Estate Cab. This wine had a great mouth feel, rich, dark fruits and earthy with wonderful depth of flavors. Had more aggressive tannins that still more time to resolve. Will continue to improve over the next 5 years.
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Really good, aging well. Pretty good tannins that soften quickly, slight dustiness mixed in with the oak. Better than, and different than the 06 by a hair. Much better than the 08
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The color is deep red and swirling leaves long legs on the glass. Flavors of blueberry, cassis, and spices greet one with a smooth mouthfeel. It continues with dark fruit of increasing intensity tapering with a long finish of leather, earth, and soft tannins.
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Nice deep color, but the fruit is less pronounced than I expected. The wine has less sediment compared to earlier years, but somehow I expected more from this vintage.
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The wine is clear and bright with a deep garnet colour and presence of legs. The nose is clean and developing, showing medium+ intensity aromas of black currants, dark plums, dark cherries, mint, lavender, liquorice, clove, cedar, chocolate and vanilla. The wine is dry in the mouth with a medium acidity. It has high silky tannins and a high warm alcohol. It has a full body and pronounced intensity flavours of dark plums, dark cherries, black currants, mint, lavender, clove, cedar and chocolate. The finish is long.
It is an outstanding quality wine with a lingering finish, a very nice fruit concentration well balanced by the tannins and alcohol and a great complexity provided by oak ageing and spicy aromas. Can drink now, but it has enough tannic structure and fruit concentration to develop much more complexity and tertiary aromas in the next 10+ years.
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Disapointing, lacking depth and power for my taste, very light style of california cab, bit not really elegant either as it is not as diverse and interesting
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Really disappointed in this wine. Weak tannins, lacking complexity and couldn't taste the fruit. Spent two nights drinking '07 cabs and relative to O'Shaughnessy Mt. Howell and Mt. Veeder, Honig Bartolucci and Hobbs To Kalon, this was a poor fifth.
You know I expected more. The tannins were soft almost too much so. This lacked complexity and structure from what should be an outstanding vintage from a great winery. Was it bad? No but it was just okay. And that is. The finish was lacking and the fruit had all but disappeared. Typically with the fruit taking a back seat the secondary notes take the wheel but not here. Just lackluster and unimpressive.
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Opened around 10 am and consumed 8 hours later, which opened it up considerably and lost the initial tannins that were bordering on unapproachable (for my tastes). A strong cut of acid and a bit more structure than many of the other '07s (this was consumed alongside '07 Shafer One Point Five and is a huge difference in style). If blind, I might have thought you were trying to swerve the tasting with a "new world" style from France, as it showed just enough influence to Bordeaux. As such, probably going to hold on these 3-5 more years to see how they mature.
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Vanilla dark fruit attractive nose ..first glass was good dark fruit more like bordeaux style mid tanning .but second glass after 3 hour open start lossing tasted plain .not good for price you paid for
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Have been patiently waiting to open our first of these & were we ever rewarded for the patience. If you've been holding this vintage, treat yourself over the holidays and open one. Cheers!
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Opened by Ram at Anvil. Crimson color with vanilla notes dominating the nose and palate. Glimpses of red currant and oak spices underneath the vanilla tones, but for me this was fairly one dimensional at the moment, dominated by its oak. Chocolate, dark fruit and plum notes emerge in the glass. Nothing tells me this won't age as Montelena should, so let these sleep for a long while yet, perhaps trying again in 2017. 89-90 today.
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Decanted, dark red, nose of black fruit, cherry, raspberry, soft leather, hint oak, graphite, balanced full mouth texture and feel, long finish integrated tannins yet still has some left for continued cellaring
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i was hoping to score this a little higher given the year and the producer (and that I have several more bottles), and while this a very enjoyable it is lacking any special quality i can identify with
the nose requires coaxing and is dark fruit oriented. the entry is nicely sweet yet not heavy, with black fruit and raspberry, and this wine has a bright personality. not much else on this go around. the tannins are well integrated and noticeable only if you think about them
at this point I like the Petite Sirah offering better at a fraction of the price
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Decanted for four hours. Wide range of flavor unfolded including strawberry, black fruit, menthol, graphite and a bit of petrol. Despite the extended decant it still tasted a bit hot, which mixed with the tannins to create a bit of "edge" that will no doubt mellow over the next five to eight years. I'll probably wait another year or two before sampling the next bottle.
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Wonderful wine, dark red almost purple with a great nose of dark berry and a hint of oak. A full body wine with a very smooth texture and a long long finish.
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- Violet color with slow forming legs and aromas of geranium and kerosene. It's balanced and has flavours of prune, cherry and tobacco with a medium/full body. Oily texture with a long finish.
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Clear, deep purple, medium tannins, good but a bit disappointing as I enjoy a heavy cab. I probably opened this one a few years too early. That said I still enjoyed it.
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Fantastic. Big fruit. Powerful but not hot. Tannins are resolving beautifully. This wine should not be rushed. Decanted 2 hours before drinking. I will wait at least one year to have the next bottle in the collection.
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My first bottle of the 2007 vintage. Deep beautiful purple color, intense yet refined nose with scents of dark fruits, pencil lead, leather and hints of spice. Decanted in the glass for 40 minutes and upon first attack the dark fruits emerged with an earthy edge and soft vanilla finish.
Well integrated and the acids will carry this forward for many years. Solid 93 point wine.
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Nice nose of blackberry, violets, some leather and wood spice. Starts off rich and silky, with lots of fruit and great mouthfeel. Very fine tannins on the finish with a bit of tartness/acidity and heat. Still quite young but overall showing quite nicely right now.
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Great wine...drank from a magnum along with the 06' estate cab. Both were excellent but the 07' was the winner..I found them to be more similar than expected, however this 07' had a perfect ripeness to the fruit on the palate, superb finish, and just an overall elegance. Great with food or just drinking by itself..Im a fan.
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Somewhat reticent nose though this improved over time.
The just-ripe fruit flavors were concentrated but nimble on the palate. Medium dark red flesh fruit and and touches of blue fruit, stone, and mushroom. Well integrated and refreshing balance. Tannins were tame and the finish medium long.
Overall: youthful elegance, exceptional. Drink now with long decant or hold.
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Maintaining a rating of 93 points. The tannin have soften a little and the fruit is still slightly hidden behind it. The green pepper has emerged along with the leather & spice.
I see the multiple layers and with time they will presents themselves. Medium to heavy body, good clarity and balanced acids.
I will try again in 2014... oh the work never ends
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Was served several glasses poured through a vinturi at a friends house. Drinking very well and (surprisingly) did not taste too young to me. Typical montelena and was as pleasing as usual. Have some '05s on the rack that I had been waiting on that I may now try.
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Decanted for 5 hours. Elegant style with red and black fruits, toasted herbs, and coffee bean flavors. Great acidity and structure. Will age for a long time.
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Binny's welcomes Bo Barrett (Binny's, Linclon Park): Deep crimson color. Aromas of red currants, cassis and cherry, with an herbal undertone. Full-bodied, with frim but sweet tannins and flavors of red currants, black fruit, herbs and spicy oak. Long finish. 94-95 pts.
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Very young and needs time. It had 2 hours in the decanter and it started to show very well. This is a very well structured wine and it has the bones for the long haul.
Dark and inky in color with a tight nose of fruit, spicebox and the hint of pepper. Black cherries with a woody side kick coupled with the spice finish on the palate. Needs bottle time and I will be dipping into over the next many years.
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Dark inky, almost completely opaque. Dark fruit on the nose - plum, cinnoman, and dark cherry. Black cherries, Forrest floor, and a slight mintiness in there along with some wonderful spice and lavender. Real good balance with very fine and lovely tannins on the end.... This tastes really nice right now, but it has the bones to age for a good while. Buy more...
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Napa 2011; 10/6/2011-10/9/2011 (Napa Valley, California): I was a little worried about the weight of this wine. There is definite quality here and the tasting consultant said it will need time to come into itself. Purchased as our 7th Anniversary wine.
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Cellarmaster Tasting at Chateau Montelena: Deep inky red color. Aromas of cassis, raspberry liqueur, red currants, sage and maybe rosemary. Full-bodied with firm but approachable tannins and flavors of red currants, vanilla and black fruit with a subtle toasty quality too. Very well-balanced with loads of fruit on the palate. Long finish. The balance of structure and fruit in this wine is just amazing.
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This wine is still too tight, needs lot of decanting time, but truly I recommend not opening as it is going to get much better sitting in you cellar for the next few years.
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WCC 2007 Napa Cabernet Blind (Dorato's Resturant, Guilderland, NY): [Double decanted at 2pm. Tasted at 8pm.] Black cherry nose. Tart juicy and appealing, but I expect more from this wine. 92-?? points. Day 2: More like what I would expect. Blackberries and mild spice on the nose. Rich in the mouth. Notably thicker and silkier than yesterday. The acidity is still higher than would expect from this wine, but now balanced by more rich black fruit. 92-94 points. Day 10: [Yes, open 9 days with just the cork stuck in the bottle.] Big smoky nose of plums and red raspberries. Silky in the mouth. A really delicious wine. Hard to say that this will be one of the great Montelenas (e.g. 78, 91, 94, 97), but it is a delicious and classic Napa Cab.
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Whaddya know, another outstanding Montelena... This has a very dark ruby / purple color and a primary nose. Dark fruit, oak and hint of mint battle with the tannins. This will be amazing in 2017!
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Classic cabernet profile: nose of casis, palate of beautiful dark red fruit, graphite, vanilla. The components show hints of balance before the tannin drops the oak hammer, followed by a long finish.
An absolute beast of a wine, huge and structured with decades ahead of it. Needs 5+ years.
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Really dark, inky color. Red cherry, leather, pencil shavings and a minerality on the nose. Ripe berry and red cherry fruits with a great balance of chalky tannins and fruit. Medium to full bodied and amazingly approachable for such a young wine.
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3/31/2024 - Dave D Likes this wine: 93 Points
still drinks well
probably a few years left
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3/31/2024 - superwayne Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really impressive juice. Of course it's 17 years old, so I'd hope it's balanced by now. But this could go 10 more years beautifully.
So smooth. Oak, dark berries, light acidity and deep velvety tannins.
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3/30/2024 - DWStyle Likes this wine: 94 Points
Bought a bottle at Boulevard restaurant SF ( classic ) and shared with some new friends. Wanted to see where it is now, as I have two remaining bottles of a 6 pack. 07’ was a big wine year and I found the wines not only big structurally but a little astringent as well. This wine has still, some remnants of the structure and less of the astringency. But overall it is well integrated and balanced. I may be selling it short with a 94 pt rating as it was drinking wonderfully tonight . I’m now comfortable with drinking this wine now and into the next decade, knowing that it’s at its apex or soon approaching it.
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3/29/2024 - KVM wrote:
Very dark red. Cork is in pristine condition.
Nose of blackberries, oak, flowers, tobacco.
The palate is silky, more than medium body and the alcohol shows just a little.
Flavours of blackberry, cherry pie, tobacco. Very long finish with tobacco bitterness. This is classic, lovely and now in its drinking window.
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2/15/2024 - dclaggett Likes this wine:
Consumed over 2 hrs at Amrina Valentine’s dinner. Dark ruby, near opaque core, pretty perfumed nose dominated by red and black fruit, spice, eucalyptus and flowers. Med weight, moderate acidity and velvet tannins that are nearing fully resolved. Finish lingers in a slow sultry way. Soft, refined and elegant wine.
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2/10/2024 - 1kailuaboy wrote:
Great wine can drink over 2 nights.
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2/7/2024 - BurgundySimon wrote: 91 Points
On the nose: Ripe fruit and green bell pepper.
On the palate: Ripe red fruits, ripe black fruits and green bell pepper again. Ripe soft tannins and a long finish.
Got that typical ripe Napa Valley fruit, but with some more old world notes as well. For me it felt like it lacked the power and wood for that Nappa Valley factor, and lacked the Elegance that Bordeaux has. It's Kinda floating in between those two styles, and then I would rather go for or the more bold or more elegant.
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2/7/2024 - ThijsV Likes this wine: 92 Points
BYOB dinner NOTK (NOTK, Rotterdam): Medium ruby in color, hardly any bricking. Medium+ intensity with cassis, a lot of (black) fruit, green bell pepper. Medium+ acidity, medium+ tannins, long finish with a sweet fruit note.
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1/13/2024 - Dave_D_71 wrote: 95 Points
Drinking so well right now. Still plenty of fruit, soft tannins…wish I had more socked away.
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12/22/2023 - WineDuq Likes this wine: 94 Points
Really excellent Montelena. Maybe they need 15 years plus on them. Beautiful nose of red fruits, flowers, cedar. Silky and ripe on the palate, tannins resolved, nice acidity keeps things fresh. Looked and tasted like a 5-year-old wine. Really nice stuff.
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11/4/2023 - levinml wrote: 93 Points
Consistent with my notes from 5 years ago. Pretty down the middle of the fairway, still reasonably tannic but good overall balance. Good for a while yet.
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10/11/2023 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Built in an old world rustic style. Tobacco is prominant. Built in a leaner style.
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10/5/2023 - Alexander Smith Likes this wine: 90 Points
Brief tasting note
There is still life in the 2007 Montelena, not a lot but very nice to enjoy a classic old Napa Cabernet, dried fruit, savoury spices, dusty fine tannins a little cigar box wrapping up the palate. More advanced than other producers at this stage but again I enjoyed this wine.
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10/4/2023 - d'Artagnan wrote: 93 Points
Dégustation Spottswoode avec Beth Weber Novak: Belle bouteille, texture veloutée, de la finesse et un côté hédoniste assumé. Pas le plus profond, mais très joli. 92-93 pts
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9/17/2023 - alamoave Likes this wine: 91 Points
Quality mature cab without the overextraction that plagues too many of its peers. Well made but unremarkable QPR.
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8/30/2023 - ciesel Likes this wine: 93 Points
K and I really enjoyed. Modern style.
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7/22/2023 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 93 Points
Sampled yesterday at the winery, bottle open for 4 hours. Well-balanced and capable of lasting much longer. Drinking window updated to 2029.
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7/20/2023 - ducster72 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Gave this a 2-ish hour decant. Still some tannin to be resolved. Stronger early during dinner and flagged a bit later in the evening. Nice Napa cabernet in a more restrained style. I prefer the 2001, but would be interested to have them side by side in 5 years.
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7/9/2023 - ftsai71@gmail.com Likes this wine: 94 Points
This took a little time to open. We gave it an hour and half decant. It was excellent. It had really great Napa fruit but with some nice secondary flavors like leather and earthiness. In a good place right now. It was a little better by itself than with the beef ribs we had.
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6/24/2023 - Geaux Tigers Likes this wine: 94 Points
Took every bit of 75 min to open, but even then showed significant hot notes, including methanol which had me worried. At 90 min, smoke, charcoal, dried cherry, saddle leather appeared from nowhere and the beast became a beauty! Nice tension on the palate that complimented a variety of entrees. Went quick!
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4/23/2023 - UFGators Likes this wine: 93 Points
16 years old but still has a very tannic structure. Loads of dark cherry, leather and menthol. Still needs time to unwind. This probably needs another 5-10 years to drink in prime but with some air and a ribeye very easy to enjoy now. 93+
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4/16/2023 - colima wrote: 92 Points
tbd
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3/6/2023 - Takao wrote: 92 Points
Deep ruby with garnet rim. Pronounced, developing aromas of dried fruits, dark cherry, tobacco, sour cherry, asparagas, smoke, violet. Med(+) body, dry, high acidity, med tannins, high alcohol, long finish. Compared to 2019, tannins and oak are more integrated but this vintage seems more red-fruited and floral in nature. No jammy fruit.
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12/28/2022 - TG67 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened for 2 hours, then decanted for 90 minutes. Served with a variety of grilled beef cuts. Compared very well with 2012 Monte Bello and 2006 Chateau Musar, which were also excellent.
Nicely integrated and tannins seem to be receding, though still present. I cannot tell if it’s at its at it’s peak as another reviewer has noted. Wish I had more of it. Just delightful with the beef. Depending on how many are left in your cellar I would suggest drinking sooner. Definitely benefits from the breathing/decanting.
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12/25/2022 - Ranjan wrote: 93 Points
Lots for fruit, berry on the nose. Losing its tannins
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12/25/2022 - KSWinegeek wrote: 93 Points
Color, nose and palate consistent with my review of my last bottle 22 months ago. This seemed more fruit forward and jammy - especially for a Montelena Estate. Really in a good state right now, but with Montelena it is always difficult to predict the peak.
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12/2/2022 - garrigue65 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted 6.5 hours.Before decant very fruity and almost like a cherry cough drop. Dark cherry with herbal notes ( not able to categorize ) cocoa powder and anise on the finish. Very nice bottle. Still has room to cellar.
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11/24/2022 - WineKnut Likes this wine: 93 Points
This is a brilliant example of Napa CS from a good vintage... Paired perfectly with braised short ribs, au gratin potatoes, asparagus and pasta a la tayden... Aging gracefully. Like Jim Croce says, "if I could save time in a bottle..." This is what I'd like to do.
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10/22/2022 - timewithwine wrote:
A beautiful nose of plum, red currents, cassis, tobo, mint, leather, and anise. The color is an opaque plum from core to rim. The wine is nicely balanced. The finish of leather, anise and mint is long. Some chunks of sediment. 14.3% alc. With grilled (beef) strip steaks under slices of blue cheese. 10.22.22. Highly Recommended.
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10/16/2022 - Edbom Likes this wine: 100 Points
Gift
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9/13/2022 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 93 Points
Took this a few hours to open up. rich and concentrated . drink or hold
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8/19/2022 - VindependenceDay Likes this wine: 91 Points
Drank over a 4 hours period. When popped and poured, it was disappointing. Thin, almost sour, with decent cherry cola nose but also green wood that was off-putting. I would have given 88 pts at that stage. After about 3 hours of air it picked up weight, the woodiness receded, and the fruitiness became much more complex and enjoyable - cherry, cola, lavender (?), vanilla, and just a lot more fun. Palate still a bit thin. Upgraded to 91 pts based on this last glass.
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7/30/2022 - lovemycab Likes this wine: 93 Points
For a 15 year old wine, I was surprised to see the cork come out like new. Very little wine and sediment on the cork at all. Drank over the course of a few hours. Plenty of the traditional Montelena fruit with cassis, cedar, and spice. Tannins are well integrated and this is drinking nicely right now. This wine has plenty of life left and with more time will bring forward more tertiary notes and complexity to be even better.
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7/14/2022 - capacious Likes this wine: 93 Points
I probably said this in some past Montelena comment, but have loved this wine since gifted a case of the 1984 way way long ago. The wine is aging beautifully, on to secondaries, with years to to. Montelena is true to itself, has not become every Napa cab. Long live Montelena!
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6/25/2022 - timewithwine wrote:
The nose on this was a bit funky at first. Upon opening and removing from its original wooden case, the distinct smell of a corked bottle was unmistakable. Fortunately, the funk on this bottle blew off and all was well. The color is an opaque plum from core to rim. Nose and flavors of plum, cassis, mint, leather, and licorice. The mouthfeel is opulent, but not a bit overdone; nicely balanced. Some sediment. 14.3% alc. With bone-in pork chops. 06.25.22. Highly Recommended.
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6/1/2022 - Thirsty1 wrote:
I enjoyed this, but I was a little underwhelmed. Dark purple with slight reddish brim. Not terrifically aromatic, but pleasant with dried blackberry and undertones of leather. All in balance in the glass with reserved fruit and nice layers of secondary components and supported acidity and mature tannin. Finish was a little short. Very elegant, but it left me wanting more out of the glass. Decanted for about an hour, and left in the glass for an additional hour.
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4/24/2022 - colima wrote: 92 Points
Needed a lot of air (one hour not enough), but improved with fatty food (lamb). Classic Montelena - but probably neesd another hour of air.
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4/23/2022 - Empirate wrote:
Slo-ox 4 hours. Everything still in place, early in middle age drinking window. Excellent. No rush.
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4/4/2022 - winetexan wrote: 93 Points
classic Napa cab.
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1/22/2022 - Dave D Likes this wine: 94 Points
did not decant and still good
longer sat mech better
recommend decant 2-4 hours
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1/21/2022 - Rieslingfan wrote:
T-minus 1 day until 55, and drinking the good stuff. This is early, even from 375ml, but open and giving with plenty of ripe black fruit, some vanilla and spice shadings, and firm finishing tannins that are going to stand up to the fruit as it continues to age. Zero regrets opening one now, as it’s in a happy, boisterous place. Content to age my remaining bottles, since there is a ton of material to stand up to the evolution.
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12/31/2021 - SGates Likes this wine: 94 Points
Amazing complex and mature cali cab. Complex mix of black currant, red cherry, tobacco and chewy tannins. Lots of life left in this (as long as cork holds up. my cork broke on removal but was still a good seal).
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12/25/2021 - Nanda wrote: 92 Points
Kept getting better and better over 4+ hours. Effusive nose with pretty mint and spice aromas accent the plum fruit. Richly fruited and initially overt, though this gains subtlety, nuance and precision with air. Long, complex finish with rich fruit and a medley of sear, spice, tobacco and bell pepper complexities.
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11/27/2021 - garrigue65 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark fruit with some eucalyptus and a little cedar, well integrated silky tannins.
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11/6/2021 - oldwines Likes this wine: 93 Points
In my cellar since release, decanted at 3:45 pm and tasted over 7+ hours with some left for tomorrow. Labeled as 14.3% ABV. Tasted along side the 2003, both warm vintages. Slightly translucent, dark garnet. This is definitely tasting more ripe and forward. Nose is richer, rounder and fruitier with blackberry, black tea, licorice and eucalyptus also on the palate. 3 hours in it is more herbal and very rich in texture with a similar flavor profile. Good structure but not especially drying tannin. Best around the 3 hour point but pretty consistent throughout until about the 7 hour point when it started to dry out some. Overall, complex but more fruit forward than most of the Montelena Estate Cabs I've had, which is most of them. Great with grilled steaks but overall I preferred the 2003 over this vintage. Plenty of life left, at least through the late part of this decade.
p.s. Next evening this was still pretty rich and round, seemed to hold up a little better than the 2003.
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10/1/2021 - hopkinstx wrote: 91 Points
- Brick color.
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9/28/2021 - ShadowIII Likes this wine: 93 Points
classic, big Cali cab,youthful, dark fruit, firm tannins, has not developed much secondary notes
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9/5/2021 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 94 Points
Nearly 5 hrs in the decanter but fairly late into the ppl party. In a solid place and well balanced, this is in a reply fine spot and doesn’t seem to need ta rush to open my remaining bottles.
Sorry my notes aren’t detailed but it’s wine 5 or 6 of the eve and the accompanying brisket and. Hand pies are awesome
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9/5/2021 - capacious Likes this wine: 92 Points
I think this is as good as it is going to get. Its archetypal Montelena, old world influence and Montelena’s outstanding grapes.
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6/13/2021 - jbaron wrote: 91 Points
Lots of potential here but after an hour or two, still quite closed.
I’d wait until say 2025 for the next one.
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5/20/2021 - Dave D Likes this wine: 94 Points
6 hour decant. Taste changed constantly. When finally in glass and sat was excellent 94
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4/14/2021 - Chris Likes this wine: 94 Points
Gorgeous color. A little lighter red with a bit of pepper on the nose. Lighter palate but finish goes on and on. Nuanced, definitely not a one trick pony. Gets better the more you think about it!
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4/2/2021 - suilesor25 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dark fruit, cedar, graphite, and forest floor. Wonderful, still getting better, wish I had more bottles. Had with a prime tenderloin roast and it really went well.
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3/12/2021 - garrigue65 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Old world style. Dark fruit with notes of leather, anise, cedar, and earth with long finish and silky tannins. This wine is drinking very well right now IMHO.
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2/23/2021 - KSWinegeek wrote: 93 Points
Dark ruby red in color. Cedar predominant on nose.. Approachable, blackberries and other black fruit on palate, some tobacco and persistent finish. Ready now or maybe some years from now.
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1/23/2021 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 95 Points
My first bottle of this and it was surprisingly ready to go. Concentrated fruit, great balance, no harsh tannin. Drink or hold.
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12/25/2020 - Pinkflash Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tight upon opening. Definitely needs decanting. After 2 hours opened up nicely and was very good with beef tenderloin. Did not have a full chewy mouthful like I hoped for. I don’t often have wines this old so have nothing to compare it too. Just expected more.
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12/13/2020 - pvewino wrote: 90 Points
Consistent with my first note from a few years ago. Obviously a very good wine. I found it to be medium in body with good cherry flavor that became more dark fruit as the night progressed. The wine is more subtle than the big Napa Cabs. Let breathe for 1.5 hours prior to starting it, then drank over the next 2 hours. Personally disappointed in this wine. Especially given the aging. Not one for me. Also agree that this wine is overpriced for what it is. Should be $50 - $75, not the $125 price point.
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12/4/2020 - Justinwine wrote: 93 Points
Tricky. Is this wine good or great? I think very , very good.
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8/23/2020 - Topper wrote: 96 Points
I realize that this score is higher than many for this wine. Perhaps because it was from magnum, but this was the best wine from this estate that I have had, and I have tried several vintages. Full flavored but not abrasive, alcohol without heat, fruit in balance with the tasty tannins, red fruit dominates on the nose and palate with additional hints of chocolate and licorice. This is fine wine.
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7/15/2020 - eoinhharkins wrote: 93 Points
Pretty youthful nose of of black berries, subtle herb, earthy tones, really smooth palate with everything in harmony, medium acidity and a nice finish
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6/25/2020 - garrigue65 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Strawberry and kirsch initially with pencil shaving and cedar. Really delightful with a three hour decant. Great drinking window now.
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6/23/2020 - Katscheker Likes this wine:
sweet, strawberry, soft tannin
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6/19/2020 - edjBoca wrote: 89 Points
This is simple, yes light, but there is very little acid and complexity....hmm
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6/11/2020 - va10230 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Drank light
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4/26/2020 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 93 Points
90 minutes in a decanter, following an enjoyable '03 Pontet Canet. Nose shows a surprising amount of youth for its age with modestly dark fruit, tobacco and a hint of dirt. Not as Bordeaux-like as I often see in an aged Monty.
Wine is a bit bit light on the palate while showing nice integration between the remaining fruit and tannic backbone. A bit acidic as well.
Showing its age well and in a good place. This will continue to soften, and gauge your window accordingly. Shortening my drinking window to 2022 to ensure there's sufficient structure to suit our preference.
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4/21/2020 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 94 Points
Sublime silky smooth elegence, the signature style of Ch. Montelena. Was a spot on pairing with our grilled skirt steak salad and roasted root vegetables. Unfortunately, the last of our '07's, we're on to the '08's!
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4/4/2020 - Matt T wrote: 94 Points
This took some time to open up. I drank my first glass too soon and fortunately had a chance to try it again with another hour of air, which revealed much more complexity. Blackberry, oak, and vanilla with no rough edges.
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3/28/2020 - Adam T 12 Likes this wine: 96 Points
My last bottle and it did not disappoint. I’m kicking the score up to 96 after rating it 94 in 2015. Back then I complained about a little heat. That’s gone now. Juicy and smooth. I decanted it, but honestly it didn’t need air. Prime drinking window right now for my taste. Would drink up. A good way to “celebrate” coronavirus quarantine, lol.
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1/28/2020 - MattMauldin Likes this wine:
Chateau Montelena tasting at winery: Exotic and dense aromatics - crushed stone, crushed flowers, anise, blackcurrant, dark florals. Complex palate with very nice elegant density in the middle. Fine tannins, plenty of structure. Needs time.
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12/10/2019 - BobKat Cellars wrote: 92 Points
Very enjoyable. Still lots of fruit. I’m going to wait another couple of years. Their is life left in this vintage.
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11/13/2019 - Sniffy-Sniff Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really tight out of the bottle. Opened up after 30 minutes but remained fairly restrained, ala Bordeaux style. Not sure this will benefit from more time in the cellar.
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10/17/2019 - rlove wrote: 93 Points
Pretty nose shows a savory Bordeaux profile yet unmistakable New World fruit, with blackberry, underbrush, cedar, and wood spice. Textural, like velvet, with great density to the flavors of dark fruit, menthol, and spice. Small, plush tannins. The 2007 Montelena has at least 20 years left in it. Drink through 2039.
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8/19/2019 - SeaSmoke wrote: flawed
Corked!
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8/11/2019 - DaninClearwater wrote: 94 Points
very nice bottle of wine
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7/26/2019 - garrigue65 Likes this wine: 90 Points
Decanted over six hours. Drank over two days. This wine is huge needs another three to five years of cellaring. Abundance of tannins on back end that became more manageable on day two. Notes of dark fruit, tobacco and leather with pencil shaving and cigar box. Really needs to develop over time. A big and potentially multilayered gem with more cellar time.
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6/19/2019 - Winedog1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
I would compare this to older style Napa Cabernet Sauvignon like Turley. Pencil lead.
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5/20/2019 - D3S Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very good wine, dark fruit aroma, spice and dark fruit, licorice and spice on palate, medium to full bodied.
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5/18/2019 - oldwines Likes this wine: 93 Points
My first bottle of 12 acquired from the winery on release. Double decanted over 90 minutes at 9:30am then transported and finally tasted from 7:30-9:00pm. The wine is a translucent, medium garnet crimson. Initially the nose had a lot of charcoal, some vanilla and red berry. Very closed but “correct”...nothing seemed wrong compared to some others who have recently experienced a disjointed wine. Later when serving, the nose had to be coaxed out with some swirling but had burnt embers, red and black berries, plum, cassis, some vanilla, and some herbal and mineral undertones. Good acidity and medium to full bodied mouth feel. Finish is moderately long and pretty densely textured with more dark fruit and a little menthol. Some saved and tasted the next morning was softer and more densely fruited with rich tar and chocolate. My conclusion is this is pretty much classic Montelena Estate Cab styled, though at this tasting is not in the top echelon of bottles I’ve had in the last decade. I think it needs another half decade or more in the cellar to be at its best and as usual needs extensive decanting. If I had not needed to transport this I would have given it fully 8 hours in an open decanter.
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5/12/2019 - bigbass250 wrote:
very disappointed cork was bad and flavor was off thinking it was past it's drink date but after a couple of emails from other cellar tracker subscribers I decided to decant what was left of the bottle with the cork floating in it and actually was decent, thanks to those who took the time to reach out to me, I was ready to pour down the drain a very expensive bottle
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5/10/2019 - Ceo wrote: 94 Points
Still has life and balance! Has at least 10 more years!! Cheers to all 🍷🍇
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4/18/2019 - drrobvino Likes this wine: 93 Points
Bottle 1 of 4. Consumed over 2 days, this wine showed better the 2nd nite. Notes of black cherry, kirsch, black currant, with a sprinkling of black pepper, some wood embers, and perhaps plum pit. This wine showed a long and complex finish, elegantly perfumed, with perfectly balanced acidity and a long and lip-smacking finish. Delicious overall, drink this pretty wine now through 2028 or so.
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3/9/2019 - jzebrack Likes this wine: 93 Points
On a prior bottle we drank last year, we were not overly impressed, but I can't remember what food we ate with the wine.
This time, we opened it at a steak house, and that made all the difference.
The people who drank it with their steak/prime rib absolutely raved.
So, I guess that makes all the difference.
This wine needs to be drank with strong food like steaks.
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2/22/2019 - Loewenbrau wrote: 92 Points
Dark berries and leather notes with a moderate finish. Soft tannins. Was great with lamb.
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1/6/2019 - brouigu1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
By far this is the most consistent Estate vintage. I have the Estate wines from 2005 though 2014 and the 2007 has maintained a 93 point score for me.
A shorter decant of 1 hours and paired with a ribeye steak. Same dark color, same beautiful aroma of black fruits, leather and spices and same palate of fruits, spices and hints of vanilla with medium tannin and balanced acids & alcohol.
Great wine now and should be for several more years.
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12/17/2018 - SeaSmoke wrote: 92 Points
Dark fruit and pencil lead on the nose and palate. Medium finish. Decanted the wine for 45 minutes. The wine still has many years left.
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12/13/2018 - timewithwine wrote:
When I first opened the long sealed wooden case, I know I smelled TCH. Pulling bottles and smelling each, I decided to risk using one of the bottles, but I suspect at least another case-mate is corked. Popped and poured, resulting in a nose of plum, black currant, forest floor and some tobo smoke. As with the ‘06, with the palate tracks the nose. Just yet, the wine is a bit tight and I’m wondering if I should have decanted it. Like the ‘06, it too comes up short on the finish. Neither wine has the long, elegant finish I’d hope to find. The acidity is a bit much; yes, the acidity, not the tannins are what jars the palate. From attack to finish, the wine is a touch sharp; so much so that it detracts from pleasure. Compared to the ‘06, this is more angular, maybe tighter and definitely less balanced. Some sediment on the side. 14.3% alc. With roasted beef tenderloin in a butter-herb crust with mushroom ragout to celebrate John’s retirement with John, Alan, et uxs. Leaning toward Recommended with Reservations.
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11/21/2018 - Labrador Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beautiful!
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11/10/2018 - chanukha Likes this wine: 93 Points
Solid. Great balance. Bit peppery. Long finish. Showed better than Dominus of the same vintage.
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11/10/2018 - AngusQ Likes this wine: 93 Points
Very smooth soft tannins however fruit was muted and finish was shallow compared to the 2002vintage
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10/8/2018 - Khelieu wrote: 91 Points
Somewhat disappointed, little body left of this bottle in compare to 4 years ago.. minimum still dark purple color, dried fruit, some floral aroma, over all refreshingly drink, but not as good as it should be, I think it is on the way out...
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9/16/2018 - shutto1992@gmail.com Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine did not open up until day 3. I stored under cork in refrigerator. I will wait at least 5 years before trying again.
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8/18/2018 - Snacks2013 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted after opening and got a big whiff of alcohol and predominate in the taste. Decanted for 4 hours and then drank over another 1 ½. Alcohol faded after decanting so that it wasn’t overwhelming. At 11 it is still young with plenty of fruit and subtle tannins. Much more French than California despite the high alcohol. I get the dark fruits, leather, spice and earth others got with a hint of vanilla. It was incredibly smooth drinking with a long finish. In my mind it is just getting to its drinking window and will go 15+ yrs. more. Drank with a prime rib dinner with roasted brussel sprouts and Vidalia onions.
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8/8/2018 - gharter Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted 2 hours. Just starting to enter a good drinking window. Quite aromatic with blackberry, anise, spice, earth, a touch of leather. On teh palate, dark fruits, anise, coffee, leather, earth and spice. A touch of herb and cedar in the finish. The tannins are starting to soften. For me, Chateau Montelena cabs start showing well at 10 years and just keep getting better with age.
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6/30/2018 - gtilley wrote:
The supposed "Goldilocks" vintage. Nose is on the herbaceous side, with olive notes, but the palate is a different story offering rich and ripe cabernet fruit.
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6/23/2018 - markcic Likes this wine: 93 Points
The third of the 2007 Cabernets that our group drank last night. The other two being a Cadence Bel Canto and a Stewart. We opened this bottle and slow ox'd it for three hours, decanted it and let it sit two more hours. The nose, was blueberry with a hint of fresh brewed coffee. The palate was blueberry, plum, fig, coffee and dried thyme. The finish was long and smooth. Really drinking well at 11 years old. I have one bottle left in my cellar and I am putting a 2022 tag on it. Really want to see how this wine ages at the 15 year mark.
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6/13/2018 - WineGuyDelMar Likes this wine: 89 Points
My score was way too high on my previous bottle. This wine is just average and not worth the price. QPR is terrible. The wine is just out of whack and not balanced. The alcohol, tannins and fruit are not harmonious or integrated. The nose is nice but then the taste is tart and astringent. Tannins are fading but so is the fruit. I think 89 is generous and I actually think it’s more like 87-88. This is not a great effort by Montalena in a generally pretty good vintage.
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5/13/2018 - smahk wrote: 92 Points
Color: Bright Garnet
Nose: Blueberry, raspberry, sage
Taste: Cassis, Blackberry, mocha, sage
This has turned into a smooth, elegant wine with great structure, well integrated flavor and soft oak tannins with a long lingering finish. Truly enjoyed - glad I have several more.
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4/7/2018 - JHalvorson Likes this wine: 91 Points
I concur with the review written by Chris on 3/25/18.
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3/25/2018 - Chris Likes this wine: 91 Points
Gorgeous color and lovely nose. Balanced tannins and fruit. A great bottle but this is one of my favorite wines and with 10 years of age and a great vintage, its lighter than I would have hoped and not as much of the blockbuster I thought I was buying. As such a bit of a lower rating overall. This one suffered from too high expectations. Its a great bottle and delivers the basics of what it should.
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1/27/2018 - kdkimbell wrote:
Showing nicely but use decanter.
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1/14/2018 - jasonh wrote:
Very primary. Slightly candied and almost a bubble gum quality that was probably exacerbated by drinking next to the 1997 Estate. Wait 10 years!
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1/14/2018 - peternelson wrote: 94 Points
So good, not unlike the 2007, but slightly bigger, slightly more richness with a bit more fruit, some tobacco, long; I just love the balance in both the '97 and '07 tonight. The Grace and Abreu were great but almost too intense. 10 years on dinner at Conrads.
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11/23/2017 - 422dbowlsby wrote: 93 Points
Opened 3 hours prior to serving. Nose was closed; almost imperceptable. Rich dark red color with purple rim. Smooth velvety tannins well integrated with flavors of dark berries and cherry cola. Rich mouth feel (2% milk) and long finish. Acidity beginning to fade; drink soon.
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11/3/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 92 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. CS99, CF1, 20 mos 100% Fr Oak, 28% new. We went younger to older for this tasting. They refer to this as the "Goldilocks" vintage because in theory everything went perfectly during the vintage. There's been some evolution of this wine since I had it two years ago, but still it seems more reclusive and not quite ready to play fully. The nose does gradually tantalize with cedar, pencil, and some high toned tobacco on the dark fruits. The palate too shows dark fruit, cassis, dark berries, wood, and some scorched earth. Still youthful. My #3 as it just wasn't as giving as the '05 presently. Still thinking this will benefit from 3(+) more years. 92(+)pts.
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11/1/2017 - Arianne48 wrote:
$140 average
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10/27/2017 - Vino Me wrote: 95 Points
Opened by Allred. From magnum. Excellent showing. Herbal with notes of spices, caramel and red currants. 95 points.
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10/15/2017 - Grappa Cellar wrote: 93 Points
Great lightweight style cab. muted tannins, some earth (bordeaux style) and good fruit
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10/11/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote:
Chateau Montelena Cabernet Estate Vertical (Plum Market - Chicago IL): Tasting, brief note. Subtle, restrained and subdued, much less forthcoming vs the bottles tasted a few days ago. Same black fruit, more firm, less charm, but just as nuanced. Upside from here. Decant if drinking now.
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10/8/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote: 92 Points
Chicago Wine Flock...Krengels compare New vs Old World (Casa Krengel - Bannockburn IL): Tasted double blind. Clearly New World, but also clearly made in an elegant, Bordelais style. Moderate weight and power, very good length, lots of nuance already. Good now, with upside.
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9/21/2017 - Tig78 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Full-bodied and rich with seductive aromas. Drinking well with solid structure and plenty of fruit. Loved the old-world fruit and not overdone oak integration. Beautiful wine with plenty of years ahead although I'm not sure it will improve from where it is today.
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9/11/2017 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 92 Points
Celebrating the closing of escrow on our CA home, a house we thought we'd own until retirement and socialism made CA unbearable, financially and politically. Opened and aired 45 mins but not decanted; followed over 2.5 hours. Muted nose of tea, rosemary and black cherry, maybe some licorice. Watery black cherry flavor as a base, aged cedar. Shows elegance but not the layering or depth I look for in a top-vintage Monty. Probably in the heart of its drinking, will try another bottle in '18 and assume best drinking byy 2020-22.
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9/4/2017 - jimyeni Likes this wine: 93 Points
Lower alcohol and body it reminded us of a Bordeaux more so than a Napa cab. Nice complexity with menthol, and dark fruits. A beautiful wine.
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8/26/2017 - AllRed wrote:
Cellar diminishment party - brief note. Magnum. Dark berry fruit, tannin. Still primary in this format.
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8/22/2017 - SeaSmoke wrote: 92 Points
Dark fruit and pencil lead on the nose and palate. Medium finish. Decanted the wine for 45 minutes. I will wait for at least a year before trying another bottle. This wine is still young.
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8/2/2017 - D3S Likes this wine: 92 Points
Nose with dark fruit, forest floor and palate with dark fruit, currant and tobacco. The finish was medium to Ling and wine possessed nice balance. I decanted for a hour prior to tasting. This bottle was much better than the prior one from the spring.
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7/14/2017 - jzebrack Likes this wine: 88 Points
Completely agree with some of the reviews that, while it is obviously a very good wine, it is not a $100 + wine. Drank it next to a similarly priced earlier vintage Phelps Backus, and the Backus put the 2007 Montelena Estate to shame. But, if the Montelena were $50, I would be raving, and would give it a higher rating.
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6/26/2017 - Winedog1 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Green and tight at first. My wife loved this wine.
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5/8/2017 - ciesel Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark fruit, earthy, decent finish. Well made. Just coming into own.
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5/6/2017 - pvewino Likes this wine: 91 Points
Obviously a very good wine. I found it to be medium in body with good cherry flavor that became more dark fruit as the night progressed. The wine is more subtle than the big Napa Cabs. Let breathe for 1.5 hours prior to starting it, then drank over the next 2 hours. Agree with other reviewers that this wine is probably just now reaching its peak. Also agree that this wine is overpriced for what it is. Should be $50 - $75, not the $125 price point.
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5/4/2017 - rossi.wine wrote: 94 Points
Tasted after the 2008, this was more layered and complex. Very well balanced, good acidity, ripe, but grippy tannins and sweet fruit. Lovely length. The best of the red Ch. Montelena in this vertical. Drink or keep. 93-95
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4/22/2017 - levinml wrote: 92 Points
This was middle of the fairway quality reasonably aged cab. Nice drinking, good flavors, balance, etc. Nothing mind blowing or extreme, just good drinking. Wish it was $50.
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4/15/2017 - D3S Likes this wine: 91 Points
Forest floor, earthy nose with subtle dark fruit, soft tannins and medium finish. Paired nicely with ribeye. I liked the wine much better 3 years earlier. I hope it is still evolving and will open up again. Disappointed given the reported expectations of aging potential of these wines.
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4/7/2017 - RayT wrote: 92 Points
Vertical tasting of the estate wines (05,06,07,08) at the winery. First time drinking Chateau Montelena estate and the last and 10th winery of a 3 day trip. I drank a lot of BIG wines which is my preference, so maybe a bit unfair to this wine. This was the best of the vertical which is not surprising for an 07.While I found this to be well made this was more of an elegant wine and a touch on the light side. Not sure how well this is going to age. The 2007's I have been drinking of late do not appear to be aging as well as I thought they would. This is too light of a wine for my palate at this price point.
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4/5/2017 - domco wrote:
After being disappointed of late on some 'older' (7-10 yrs) Napa cabs this a great reminder that some producers can build a wine to age a bit. Delicious fruit, nice and fresh, well balanced. A bit lighter for cab (probably why it's holding up so well), great with dinner. Our last bottle but seemed fresh enough to go many more years.
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3/25/2017 - Chris Likes this wine: 91 Points
10 years old, gorgeous color and fruit aroma right after open. 2 hour decant then beautiful and dark aroma, a luxury cab, velvety but not too soft, good fruit, drink now or continue to wait. One of my favorite Napa cabs
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12/31/2016 - franinnyc Likes this wine: 92 Points
A bit disappointing. Thin. Opened up
A bit after sipping. Maybe too young?
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12/23/2016 - kr522 wrote: 93 Points
full bodied black fruit driven wine with notes of raspberry, smoke and perhaps some earthiness. CM always makes their wines in an ageworthy style, and this is no different, though the 07 is starting to shed some of the tannic cloak (tannins are not astringent) with the fruit emerging more prominently. I liked it a lot but not blown away, while others liked it more than me
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12/16/2016 - davidandrose Likes this wine:
Decanted for 90 minutes. Cassis, raspberry, very faint vanilla and a hint of pine tar on the nose. In a very nice place at present, though a bit light on the palate; red fruit, leather and some dust that polishes the wine off nicely. Finish isn't as long as I might like, but its nonetheless quite enjoyable. Will try another bottle in 6 months to gauge longevity.
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11/20/2016 - WineGuyDelMar Likes this wine: 92 Points
This wine in my opinion is not ready to drink yet. It was decanted for 3 hours and then drank over the next two hours. The wine was very closed and unapproacable initially. The tannis definately covered up the fruit and the alcohol also was prevalent.
The wine in the last 30 minutes finally gave way to some really nice, layered fruit & less alcohol taste. This is a big wine that needs more time.
It was paired against a 2009 Spottswoode Estate & if you didn't know you would have guessed the Montelena was the younger wine as it was much more tight. Montelena in my opinion is not in the same league as Spottswoode. A good wine bordering great but not in the top echelon.
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9/19/2016 - Jeff Leve wrote: 93 Points
Tannic, young, ripe and firm, especially for a 2007 wine, this needs time to integrate, develop more softness in the tannins and flesh out.
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7/31/2016 - vandyman Likes this wine:
Decanted for 1 hour. Excellent full body.
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7/23/2016 - AllRed wrote: 95 Points
Shows a bit hot at first before settling down and giving up notes of dark fruit, spice, perfume and florals. Full-bodied and very well-balanced, with flavors of mixed fruit, warm spice, black cherry and just a bit of earth too. With a little more swirling, there's a Bordeaux-ish quality to this wine that I find absolutely delightful. This is my wheelhouse for Napa cabernets- those done with an "old world sensibility." Long, balanced finish. In the running for my wine of the night. 95+ pts.
We thought a nice pair of 2007s would be a fun theme and a welcome pair of wines for Rich's first tasting in some time after the surgeries. This too had been double decanted about four hours before the flight. Our first bottle to be opened, and I think I will seek out some more.
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6/20/2016 - Ken332 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Opened for father's day. Did not decant, but opened about 2 hours before serving. Very nice Cabernet entering its drinking window. Intense cassis with moderate tannins still largely hidden by the fruit, lengthy finish. Served with duck breast and new potatoes confit and the Montelena was a an excellent match with the balanced acidity and tannin to balance the fat in the duck. This wine will be even better in a couple of years and should have a long life.
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5/5/2016 - englishman's claret wrote: 93 Points
I liked this a lot. This really shows off the ripeness of Napa while retaining excellent balance. You don't really feel the heat here in the alcohol but the fruit is lovely and rich. Starting to take on some very nice sous bois, farm notes. Fine tannins, long and positive finish.
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3/13/2016 - levinml wrote:
This was a real surprise, given I've had several high 90-point cabs recently and found them disappointing. Again, maybe it's a question of expectations. But this seemed less "dense" than the big boys, which meant I could actually taste the wine. Held together well over two nights under pump. Good balance of fruit and structure. Maybe I just don't have the taste buds for 99 point wines. :)
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2/10/2016 - skurtz Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is a classic california cab in its prime. Great fruit and mineral notes that are softened with age. Drinking beautifully now.
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11/28/2015 - MetFan Likes this wine: 90 Points
Still a little young. Will check back in a couple of years.
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11/26/2015 - Jeffrey Scott wrote: 92 Points
Wow!
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11/7/2015 - ovenmitt wrote: 90 Points
I'm not typically a Cali cab drinker so this is with somewhat of a grain of salt. I think this needs more time to shed some baby fat. Very round with blueberry and casis notes. Lot's of dark berry on the noose with some cedar. I am honestly not sure how this will age from here but will give my remaining bottles a couple more years to try next.
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10/16/2015 - domco wrote:
Nice fruit, smooth, round finish. Just a touch on the lighter side for cabernet, went very well with dinner.
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10/9/2015 - Adam T 12 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very nice wine. Great nose, deep color, smooth mouthfeel, bursting with fruit. A little heat on the back end but that might smooth out with even more age? High quality stuff!
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10/7/2015 - Dopas wrote: 92 Points
Fruity, smooth and balanced. Nose was not as big as expected but I did not have optimal glass. Nice finish
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9/25/2015 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine: 93 Points
Had alongside a '94 Estate. This had a better nose. Similar to the 94 in many ways - similar flavor profiles of dark berries, currant, menthol and some mineral. Decanted for 4 hours. Good stuff.
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8/15/2015 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank the '01 and '07 side by side, along with 4 other cabs. The Ch. Montelena s drank more youthful for their vintages than the others. These are more elegant style versus the power of the others. Was my #6 cab of the evening. The '07 was my #3.
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8/15/2015 - TastesGoodToMe Likes this wine: 92 Points
3 Cabernets - 2 Vintages each. Six Total Wines paired with Prime Rib. I love drinking good wines side by side!
'07 Chateau Montelena Estate - Still a bit tannic. But I preferred the fruit profile on this as compared to the '01. Still, one has to remember that Montelena is a much different style than a Caymus or Sherwin though. Score - 92
'01 Chateau Montelena Estate - if drinking on its own, this is still a very good wine. But against the competition, it just did not have a chance. Score - 90
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7/21/2015 - capacious Likes this wine: 90 Points
PNP which was major mistake. Drank over five hours, starting with grilled porkchop dinner, finishing with some dark chocolate much later. Initially jammy, almost tomato juice texture, so much front end fruity and little to follow. After a while, some focus, some back end, and will look forward to finishing tonight. But no reason at all to drink now. Many 07 are ready now, but not this monster. Impossible to judge longevity at this point
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7/10/2015 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 94 Points
Restaurant w DN in Tokyo. Opened and not decanted, wine was at room temp from travels, followed over 90 mins. Dark fruits were surprisingly aged given the wine's youth, tannins medium but very approachable. Dark chocolate, aged oak with a light toast provide a nice sweetness to this. No rush
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6/4/2015 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very good; just a small sample at the winery but in a good place. Well integrated, lingering finish
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4/29/2015 - KSWinegeek wrote: 92 Points
From Montelena Estate Cab vertical tasting. More expressive nose than earlier vintages with cedar/tobacco notes. Typical black fruit with stylish edge and ample acidity. Elegant. Tannins present, but relatively approachable given the youth. Long finish. More acidity than earlier vintages
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4/26/2015 - Bob and Joli Likes this wine: 91 Points
Needs to decant. After doing so, some spices and tannins. Needs another year or two in the bottle. Very good, but pricy.
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3/30/2015 - galewskj wrote: 92 Points
1.5 hour decant. Tasted blind with 2 small glasses over 4 hours. Surprisingly spicy, such that I was initially thinking syrah. There was significant tannins and it just didn't seem ready at this stage. Good nonetheless, but needs to settle.
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3/29/2015 - rocknroller wrote: 92 Points
Worldwide $100+ Wines Double Blind (Edina, MN): Very dark red/purple color. One and a half hour decant. Drank 2 pours double blind over 3 hours. This wine had me stumped. I was thinking this was Southern Hemisphere from the ripeness and the eucalyptus that was on both the nose and palate. It was clearly young, but not what I thought would be Montelena. The nose starts with eucalyptus, some heat that fairly quickly blows off, spice, oak, black fruits, and just a touch of savory character. The palate is full bodied with blackberry and cassis, a bit of plum, sleek and supple, quite soft on the mouth, with some eucalyptus and briar that courses through to the finish with some wood and savory notes. This isn't quite what I would have expected, but very good nonetheless, and I think in 5 more years it will be outstanding. 92(+)pts.
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3/29/2015 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 90 Points
Not a fan of the wine at this point. Taste more like an Australian Shiraz with blueberries, heavy floral notes, oak and ripe fruit. Not too balanced and I would advise to hold and hope this gets better.
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3/21/2015 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 93 Points
Drank alongside a '07 Ch. Montelena non-Estate Cab. This wine had a great mouth feel, rich, dark fruits and earthy with wonderful depth of flavors. Had more aggressive tannins that still more time to resolve. Will continue to improve over the next 5 years.
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3/16/2015 - BinVA Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really good, aging well. Pretty good tannins that soften quickly, slight dustiness mixed in with the oak. Better than, and different than the 06 by a hair. Much better than the 08
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3/4/2015 - jvest Likes this wine: 94 Points
The color is deep red and swirling leaves long legs on the glass. Flavors of blueberry, cassis, and spices greet one with a smooth mouthfeel. It continues with dark fruit of increasing intensity tapering with a long finish of leather, earth, and soft tannins.
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1/18/2015 - woofy Likes this wine: 91 Points
Nice deep color, but the fruit is less pronounced than I expected. The wine has less sediment compared to earlier years, but somehow I expected more from this vintage.
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11/13/2014 - stewlawr Likes this wine: 90 Points
nice fruit and balance with little tannic structure
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10/25/2014 - crushzone wrote: 87 Points
Light body and poor balance for the price. Worth $30-40, not $80+. Disappointed.
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9/24/2014 - Justinwine wrote: 94 Points
At Rosh Hashana
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7/26/2014 - Man in Black wrote:
The wine is clear and bright with a deep garnet colour and presence of legs. The nose is clean and developing, showing medium+ intensity aromas of black currants, dark plums, dark cherries, mint, lavender, liquorice, clove, cedar, chocolate and vanilla. The wine is dry in the mouth with a medium acidity. It has high silky tannins and a high warm alcohol. It has a full body and pronounced intensity flavours of dark plums, dark cherries, black currants, mint, lavender, clove, cedar and chocolate. The finish is long.
It is an outstanding quality wine with a lingering finish, a very nice fruit concentration well balanced by the tannins and alcohol and a great complexity provided by oak ageing and spicy aromas. Can drink now, but it has enough tannic structure and fruit concentration to develop much more complexity and tertiary aromas in the next 10+ years.
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7/19/2014 - G_H wrote: 89 Points
Disapointing, lacking depth and power for my taste, very light style of california cab, bit not really elegant either as it is not as diverse and interesting
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7/7/2014 - coltrane wrote: 88 Points
Really disappointed in this wine. Weak tannins, lacking complexity and couldn't taste the fruit. Spent two nights drinking '07 cabs and relative to O'Shaughnessy Mt. Howell and Mt. Veeder, Honig Bartolucci and Hobbs To Kalon, this was a poor fifth.
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4/24/2014 - JDV.DDSPHD wrote: 86 Points
You know I expected more. The tannins were soft almost too much so. This lacked complexity and structure from what should be an outstanding vintage from a great winery. Was it bad? No but it was just okay. And that is. The finish was lacking and the fruit had all but disappeared. Typically with the fruit taking a back seat the secondary notes take the wheel but not here. Just lackluster and unimpressive.
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2/2/2014 - mrmedoes Likes this wine: 91 Points
Opened around 10 am and consumed 8 hours later, which opened it up considerably and lost the initial tannins that were bordering on unapproachable (for my tastes). A strong cut of acid and a bit more structure than many of the other '07s (this was consumed alongside '07 Shafer One Point Five and is a huge difference in style). If blind, I might have thought you were trying to swerve the tasting with a "new world" style from France, as it showed just enough influence to Bordeaux. As such, probably going to hold on these 3-5 more years to see how they mature.
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1/1/2014 - thi nguyen wrote: 89 Points
Vanilla dark fruit attractive nose ..first glass was good dark fruit more like bordeaux style mid tanning .but second glass after 3 hour open start lossing tasted plain .not good for price you paid for
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12/21/2013 - Jeffrey Scott wrote: 94 Points
Have been patiently waiting to open our first of these & were we ever rewarded for the patience. If you've been holding this vintage, treat yourself over the holidays and open one. Cheers!
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12/11/2013 - AllRed wrote: 89 Points
Opened by Ram at Anvil. Crimson color with vanilla notes dominating the nose and palate. Glimpses of red currant and oak spices underneath the vanilla tones, but for me this was fairly one dimensional at the moment, dominated by its oak. Chocolate, dark fruit and plum notes emerge in the glass. Nothing tells me this won't age as Montelena should, so let these sleep for a long while yet, perhaps trying again in 2017. 89-90 today.
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12/11/2013 - thelostverse wrote: 93 Points
Opened by Ram at Anvil. Currants and red fruits with a bit of leather and violet. Still a pup.
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11/21/2013 - The Wine Guy Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted, dark red, nose of black fruit, cherry, raspberry, soft leather, hint oak, graphite, balanced full mouth texture and feel, long finish integrated tannins yet still has some left for continued cellaring
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11/20/2013 - kr522 wrote: 93 Points
i was hoping to score this a little higher given the year and the producer (and that I have several more bottles), and while this a very enjoyable it is lacking any special quality i can identify with
the nose requires coaxing and is dark fruit oriented. the entry is nicely sweet yet not heavy, with black fruit and raspberry, and this wine has a bright personality. not much else on this go around. the tannins are well integrated and noticeable only if you think about them
at this point I like the Petite Sirah offering better at a fraction of the price
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9/15/2013 - lpartridge wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for four hours. Wide range of flavor unfolded including strawberry, black fruit, menthol, graphite and a bit of petrol. Despite the extended decant it still tasted a bit hot, which mixed with the tannins to create a bit of "edge" that will no doubt mellow over the next five to eight years. I'll probably wait another year or two before sampling the next bottle.
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9/8/2013 - paulrc56 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Wonderful wine, dark red almost purple with a great nose of dark berry and a hint of oak. A full body wine with a very smooth texture and a long long finish.
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8/5/2013 - crushzone wrote: 91 Points
- Violet color with slow forming legs and aromas of geranium and kerosene. It's balanced and has flavours of prune, cherry and tobacco with a medium/full body. Oily texture with a long finish.
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8/4/2013 - Frank_A_M wrote: 90 Points
Clear, deep purple, medium tannins, good but a bit disappointing as I enjoy a heavy cab. I probably opened this one a few years too early. That said I still enjoyed it.
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7/25/2013 - Ceo wrote: 92 Points
Big fruit and a little alcohol burn. Opened up with time.
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6/6/2013 - sja61 Likes this wine: 94 Points
Fantastic. Big fruit. Powerful but not hot. Tannins are resolving beautifully. This wine should not be rushed. Decanted 2 hours before drinking. I will wait at least one year to have the next bottle in the collection.
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5/24/2013 - brouigu1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
My first bottle of the 2007 vintage. Deep beautiful purple color, intense yet refined nose with scents of dark fruits, pencil lead, leather and hints of spice. Decanted in the glass for 40 minutes and upon first attack the dark fruits emerged with an earthy edge and soft vanilla finish.
Well integrated and the acids will carry this forward for many years. Solid 93 point wine.
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5/21/2013 - dpolivy wrote: 93 Points
Nice nose of blackberry, violets, some leather and wood spice. Starts off rich and silky, with lots of fruit and great mouthfeel. Very fine tannins on the finish with a bit of tartness/acidity and heat. Still quite young but overall showing quite nicely right now.
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4/10/2013 - SonnyChiba wrote: 94 Points
Great wine...drank from a magnum along with the 06' estate cab. Both were excellent but the 07' was the winner..I found them to be more similar than expected, however this 07' had a perfect ripeness to the fruit on the palate, superb finish, and just an overall elegance. Great with food or just drinking by itself..Im a fan.
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3/17/2013 - Empirate wrote: 94 Points
Decanted 2+ hours, consumed over 1.5 hours.
Somewhat reticent nose though this improved over time.
The just-ripe fruit flavors were concentrated but nimble on the palate. Medium dark red flesh fruit and and touches of blue fruit, stone, and mushroom. Well integrated and refreshing balance. Tannins were tame and the finish medium long.
Overall: youthful elegance, exceptional. Drink now with long decant or hold.
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3/9/2013 - brouigu1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Maintaining a rating of 93 points. The tannin have soften a little and the fruit is still slightly hidden behind it. The green pepper has emerged along with the leather & spice.
I see the multiple layers and with time they will presents themselves. Medium to heavy body, good clarity and balanced acids.
I will try again in 2014... oh the work never ends
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12/9/2012 - cjerabeck Likes this wine: 90 Points
The wine looks Crimson colored. The body is Medium/Full. The wine has Smooth texture. The wine finishes Medium.
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10/4/2012 - Adam T 12 wrote: 93 Points
Great cab. Super smooth, bursting with cherries.
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7/10/2012 - jcurl wrote: 93 Points
Drinking very well. Solid dark fruits on the nose and pallet, godd mouthfeel. Tannins fading. No oak.
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5/29/2012 - Bricks wrote: 93 Points
Was served several glasses poured through a vinturi at a friends house. Drinking very well and (surprisingly) did not taste too young to me. Typical montelena and was as pleasing as usual. Have some '05s on the rack that I had been waiting on that I may now try.
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5/5/2012 - cartime wrote: 93 Points
Decanted for 5 hours. Elegant style with red and black fruits, toasted herbs, and coffee bean flavors. Great acidity and structure. Will age for a long time.
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5/2/2012 - AllRed wrote: 94 Points
Binny's welcomes Bo Barrett (Binny's, Linclon Park): Deep crimson color. Aromas of red currants, cassis and cherry, with an herbal undertone. Full-bodied, with frim but sweet tannins and flavors of red currants, black fruit, herbs and spicy oak. Long finish. 94-95 pts.
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2/21/2012 - peternelson wrote: 93 Points
Spice, eucalyptus, tea, loam, expressive with good lift; medium tannins, good tart blackberry; elegant and classic.
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1/29/2012 - Lee Fining wrote: 92 Points
Intriguing flavor of cola along with well balanced tannins and fruit. Still young, but expect only good things in its future.
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12/22/2011 - ClubTerry wrote: 93 Points
Not ready I would cellar longer.
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11/11/2011 - brouigu1 wrote: 93 Points
Very young and needs time. It had 2 hours in the decanter and it started to show very well. This is a very well structured wine and it has the bones for the long haul.
Dark and inky in color with a tight nose of fruit, spicebox and the hint of pepper. Black cherries with a woody side kick coupled with the spice finish on the palate. Needs bottle time and I will be dipping into over the next many years.
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11/5/2011 - ovenmitt wrote: 92 Points
Dark inky, almost completely opaque. Dark fruit on the nose - plum, cinnoman, and dark cherry. Black cherries, Forrest floor, and a slight mintiness in there along with some wonderful spice and lavender. Real good balance with very fine and lovely tannins on the end.... This tastes really nice right now, but it has the bones to age for a good while. Buy more...
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10/9/2011 - lumpyelbow wrote:
Napa 2011; 10/6/2011-10/9/2011 (Napa Valley, California): I was a little worried about the weight of this wine. There is definite quality here and the tasting consultant said it will need time to come into itself. Purchased as our 7th Anniversary wine.
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10/7/2011 - AllRed wrote: 95 Points
Cellarmaster Tasting at Chateau Montelena: Deep inky red color. Aromas of cassis, raspberry liqueur, red currants, sage and maybe rosemary. Full-bodied with firm but approachable tannins and flavors of red currants, vanilla and black fruit with a subtle toasty quality too. Very well-balanced with loads of fruit on the palate. Long finish. The balance of structure and fruit in this wine is just amazing.
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10/1/2011 - Burgundy Al wrote: flawed
Another Saturday at Knightsbridge - mostly blind (Northbrook, IL): Tasted double blind. I don't know the flaw but completely unrepresentative of Montelena or even Cabernet.
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8/8/2011 - ClubTerry wrote: 93 Points
This wine is still too tight, needs lot of decanting time, but truly I recommend not opening as it is going to get much better sitting in you cellar for the next few years.
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6/30/2011 - kenv Likes this wine: 92 Points
WCC 2007 Napa Cabernet Blind (Dorato's Resturant, Guilderland, NY): [Double decanted at 2pm. Tasted at 8pm.] Black cherry nose. Tart juicy and appealing, but I expect more from this wine. 92-?? points.
Day 2: More like what I would expect. Blackberries and mild spice on the nose. Rich in the mouth. Notably thicker and silkier than yesterday. The acidity is still higher than would expect from this wine, but now balanced by more rich black fruit. 92-94 points.
Day 10: [Yes, open 9 days with just the cork stuck in the bottle.] Big smoky nose of plums and red raspberries. Silky in the mouth. A really delicious wine. Hard to say that this will be one of the great Montelenas (e.g. 78, 91, 94, 97), but it is a delicious and classic Napa Cab.
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6/5/2011 - hubas wrote: 93 Points
Hel del blyertspenna och en del kryddig het blandat med svartvinbär och tydligt jordiga toner. Riktigt bra vin med stor komplexitet.
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5/7/2011 - ews3 wrote: 93 Points
2011 Philadelphia Wine Festival (Marriott, Philadelphia PA): really refined. nice medium tannin profile acid shows aging potential. black fruit.
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4/25/2011 - Grinner wrote: 94 Points
Whaddya know, another outstanding Montelena... This has a very dark ruby / purple color and a primary nose. Dark fruit, oak and hint of mint battle with the tannins. This will be amazing in 2017!
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3/25/2011 - alr6767 wrote: 93 Points
Classic cabernet profile: nose of casis, palate of beautiful dark red fruit, graphite, vanilla. The components show hints of balance before the tannin drops the oak hammer, followed by a long finish.
An absolute beast of a wine, huge and structured with decades ahead of it. Needs 5+ years.
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3/15/2011 - imastew wrote: 97 Points
WOW! JUST WOW! best estate bottle since 2002 will drink well in the future too
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8/10/2010 - troutmonster Likes this wine: 95 Points
Really dark, inky color. Red cherry, leather, pencil shavings and a minerality on the nose. Ripe berry and red cherry fruits with a great balance of chalky tannins and fruit. Medium to full bodied and amazingly approachable for such a young wine.
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