1991 Chateau Montelena Zinfandel Estate

Community Tasting Notes (3) Avg Score: 84.5 points

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  4/4/2010 - Steve Jones wrote: 80 Points

  Tired, blah.

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  8/22/2009 - timewithwine wrote:

  So the first time I opened this a few months back, it was irresponsibly popped and poured with other wines while watching a race. This wine is too old to take that abuse (both the opening and the environment in which it was consumed.) This time, using the Audoulze method, I opened it about 10:00 a.m.; about the same time I put the pork butt on the smoker. I took one sip at that time and it seemed surprisingly young. However, the color was a thin brickish color that could be seen through. By 7:00 that night the Q was ready and so were we. Pouring the wine, its color had changed to a nearly opaque red with just thin rim of brick. Zin funk, blackberry, smoke and black pepper were all present. Not until the very end of the bottle a couple of hours later did it take on a touch of raisined element. One in the party preferred this to the ‘90 Ridge Howell Mtn Zin (Karen F). The mouthfeel was fine; like an old claret, but it lacked the pleasing depth of an old claret. The absence of complexity hurt the wine, especially when compared with the Ridge. A small bit of sediment, but nothing huge and nothing more than in the last pour. 14.01% alc. We fired these up with some apps followed by pulled pork while enjoying the company of Mark T, Karen F and Alan Garrison. Recommended.

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  3/21/2001 - buckeye76 wrote: 89 Points

  CHERIES, RASPBERRIES, LICORICE, & BLUEBERRIES IN THE NOSE. DEEP FRUIT IN THE FLAVOR, BLACK CHERRIES, PLUMS, AND CHOCOLATE. MEDIUM LENGTH FINISH. THIS WINE SHOWED BEST IN IT'S YOUTH (3-5 YEARS)

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