2001 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate

Community Tasting Notes (332) Avg Score: 92.1 points

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  3/8/2024 - ducster72 Likes this wine: 88 Points

  I've had this several times over the last few years and this was the worst off of the bunch. I'd probably put this down to storage as I scored the other bottles of these 94-96 and not in any sort of imminent state of decline. With duck breast and the 2009 Clos du Marquis, which was more enjoyable, if only at the beginning of its open window.

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  2/29/2024 - Joshbturner Likes this wine:

  This is a classic fine wine. More like bordeaux than todays California cabs typically, but still has a little of that Cali thing. Polar opposite of the big jammy rich chocolate hot cabs that dominate wine lists today. That is a compliment.
  
  I like keeping a couple of these in the cellar, because you can get old vintages for the same price as new. It’s a special wine to me, and though I am not sure it’s any better than the cheaper Ridge cab, both hold a place.

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  2/11/2024 - Burgundy Al wrote: flawed

  Good Wine with an Exciting Super Bowl (The Krengels - Bannockburn IL): Walk around tasting. Dull and completely lacking brightness.

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  12/24/2023 - Highlander wrote:

  Lots of sediment, so best to stand up a day or more before decanting. I gave this three hours in the decanter which seemed to be too much, as the tannins, were fully resolved, leaving the wine wanting for balance

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  11/19/2023 - VindependenceDay Likes this wine: 93 Points

  PnP over 2 hours. Cork well preserved. A good but not great wine. Nose is muted. A bit of bramble blackberry jam, toasted oak, menthol. Acidic. A little on the thin side.
  
  Addendum: I had a third of the bottle leftover and coravined. Tried it the 2d night with an additional 3 hours of air. Much improved from the first night. Nose has become much bigger, with graphite, blackberry jam, cedar, menthol. Biggest improvement is on the palate, much fuller. There’s now a silkiness and length on top of the tart acidity. Very nice now.

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