1986 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate

Community Tasting Notes (147) Avg Score: 91.8 points

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View BellevuePhil's profile
  • Report Issue

  1/12/2024 - BellevuePhil Does not like this wine: 89 Points

  In the exquisite world of wines, where each bottle tells a story, the 1986 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, The Montelena Estate, stands as a time capsule of elegance and nostalgia. As a hopeless romantic, a member of upper society, and a musician, my encounter with this vintage transports me back to the vibrant tapestry of 1986, where the taste of the wine intertwines with the memories of a maiden who once made my heart race.
  
  Endless nights under the moon so on my lonely weekend I had to get one art auction…. If anything, to remember her smell, sweet Sabrina.
  
  The Montelena Estate is renowned for producing wines that are not merely beverages but expressions of artistry. As a member of upper society, I appreciate the subtleties and nuances that distinguish a remarkable wine. The 1986 vintage, with its rich history, intrigued me from the moment the bottle was uncorked, but while the nose was intoxicating, reminiscent of a bouquet of freshly picked roses and dark berries. It unfolds with layers of complexity, revealing notes of cedar, vanilla, and a subtle hint of tobacco. As a musician, I find myself captivated by this olfactory composition, akin to the opening chords of a beloved melody.
  
  However, as the first sip graces the palate, it is evident that the wine, much like the fleeting romance of my youth, lacks the epic performance I had anticipated. The initial burst of flavors, marked by blackcurrant, plum, and a touch of chocolate, is undeniably delightful. Yet, the symphony promised by the aromatic prelude seems to fall short in its execution. The wine's body is well-structured but fails to deliver the grand crescendo one would expect from a vintage of this caliber.
  
  In the realm of romance, the 1986 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon serves as a metaphor for the maiden of '86 who once stirred my soul. The wine, like her, possesses a captivating allure and a promise of something extraordinary. However, the taste, much like the ephemeral romance itself, leaves me yearning for a more profound and lasting impression.
  
  I was desperate alone in Medellin so I popped a DAOU soul of a lion just to “get me there” (see review) and good Lord did it ever but back to the 86. It’s nose tricks you ... but never quite makes it ... .its not there.
  
  It's important to note that this vintage is recommended as a "pop and pour," suggesting a simplicity in its approach and while the wine may not deliver the epic performance I had hoped for, it succeeds in evoking a sense of nostalgia and reflection. It invites me to revisit a chapter of my life when the world was less "woke," and the pursuit of happiness was simpler. The memories of toiling in the vineyards, accompanied by the taste of this Cabernet Sauvignon, create a bittersweet symphony of emotions.
  
  In conclusion, the 1986 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, The Montelena Estate, is a journey through time, a sensory exploration that intertwines with the memories of a maiden from '86. While it may not reach the heights of an epic performance, it's fantastic nose and nostalgic undertones make it a worthwhile experience for those seeking a taste of both the past and the present in a single sip.
  
  Good with a steak. Who knows more time? I am not at the level or expertise to know, just a simple traveler and a hopeless romantic.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View Odedis.Wine.reviews's profile
  • Report Issue

  12/13/2022 - Odedis.Wine.reviews Likes this wine: 94 Points

  Dark ruby in color with a wide brick rim.
  
  Beautiful nose of blueberries, black plums, cooked cherries, raisins, dried figs, vanilla, cedar, cola, spices, light must, milk chocolates, tobacco and black pepper.
  
  Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity.
  
  Dry on the palate with blueberries, plums, cherries, cedar, light vanilla, spices, espresso, cola, light herbs, vegetables, earth and peppercorn.
  
  Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.
  
  This is a wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. The label is gone, but the cork shows the name and vintage.
  
  Showing great complexity with a soft mouthfeel. Elegant, fruit forward and rich.
  
  So nice right out of the bottle, and after 15 minutes of airtime, tannins show up and bring good structure to the wine.
  
  This 36 Year old is still drinking very nicely. Didn't last more than a couple of hours, but we didn't need more than that.
  
  I've heard of bottle variation in this vintage. We got lucky this time.
  
  A fantastic wine that I couldn't stop smelling. What a beautiful nose.
  
  Such a great experience tasting this aged wine.
  
  94 points.

  2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View SpitzNV's profile
  • Report Issue

  9/17/2022 - SpitzNV Likes this wine: 95 Points

  From a magnum sourced directly from the chateau. Cork was in amazing shape. Slightly bricking on the rim and a little funk on the nose immediately after opening, as noted by others here. This wine is hitting on all cylinders. Clay-like tannins make for a great mouthfeel and perfectly complement the red fruit and herbaceous palate. Super.

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View DickMull's profile
  • Report Issue

  3/3/2022 - DickMull Likes this wine: 94 Points

  10/2/2021 - ROBMATIC WROTE: 95 Points
  Great bottle. Slight funk upon opening, but cleared rapidly to reveal a wine of utmost charm. Old school, but it was an awesome school.
  
  I can’t improve on this. He is spot-on. Exact same experience!

  Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment

• Options

  • Post a Comment
  • View robmatic's profile
  • Report Issue

  10/2/2021 - robmatic wrote: 95 Points

  Great bottle. Slight funk upon opening, but cleared rapidly to reveal a wine of utmost charm. Old school, but it was an awesome school.

  1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment

View all 147 Community Tasting Notes

Professional reviews have copyrights and you can view them here for your personal use only as private content. To view pro reviews you must either subscribe to a pre-integrated publication or manually enter reviews below. Learn more.