2012 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate

Community Tasting Notes (75) Avg Score: 92.4 points

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  4/13/2024 - Rieslingfan wrote:

  From my late father’s cellar - he bought a solid six pack as a club member, but never drank one. Opened this at about 4 PM, and at 7:30 PM it’s textbook classical Napa Cabernet. One foot is stepping ever so lightly into Bordeaux, while the California sunshine exerts its inescapable influence. What impresses me the most about this particular rendition is the foundation of the wine, all pencil shavings and mineral. The fruit and oak are clearly present, but they are tethered, held in check. It’s still early for a strong vintage of Montelena like this one, but I’m glad I opened one while watching The Masters. Cheers Dad!

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  2/19/2024 - jimyeni Likes this wine: 94 Points

  Give it 2 hours in the decanter. You won’t regret it!
  
  Soft and subdued, it took time to open up. When it did it was soft and although I wouldn’t say subtle, for a Napa cab it was restrained

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  2/15/2024 - DWStyle Likes this wine: 94 Points

  Full disclosure: I some how purchased a 5 ltr. of this wine.
  Have 4 750’s to figure out when the 5 liter will be ready to drink!🍷.
  This bottle was glacially slow to open! Around 3.5 hrs it showed up. This makes me think the 5 ltr will need some serious decanting.
  After 4-5 hours of decant it t started getting richer and a more voluptuous mouth feel. Tannins seem to be more pronounced at this stage. Giving me the idea that it can age for another 7 to 10 years in the large format.
  The wine is easily accessible now . Though slow opening.
  Needs food.
  Drinking well now , hopefully better in the future. 94

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  12/7/2023 - thelostverse wrote: 94 Points

  This was a pop and pour as we needed a red to pair with the grilled NY Strip portion of the steak and lobster dinner. This bottling has been singing since delivery and drinking very well much younger that many prior bottlings. Dark fruits and lavender as in prior bottles. I will say that this seemed to shut down after several hours, and I will revisit the remaining glass or so tonight to see how it may have changed. Young and still improving. 94+

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  9/9/2023 - Peianzhu wrote:

  Gave to Adler

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