1973 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County

Community Tasting Notes (12) Median Score: 92 points

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  1/21/2019 - andtheodor wrote: 94 Points

  Wow, a perfectly mature old Cali Cab that needs no apologies. Tender, with exceptionally sweet fruit and pitch perfect acidity. Currant and cherry with some green/gummy herb edge, a seriously savory, meaty, cacao, mineral core. The first Montelena Cab released, made by Grgich.

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  1/15/2019 - blanquito wrote: 94 Points

  A charming, youthful, bright, old school cab, that is still vivacious and youthful despite the years. Has a bit of a lactic funk on the nose that I didn't love, but that disparates with time. Quite minty and cali cab-like, but without any obtrusive alcohol or sugar, fully integrated, just lovely.

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  9/1/2018 - ESTEELE90 Likes this wine:

  At tasting. Brief note. Another amazing piece of history to try here. Pours a day bright ruby red in the glass with no bricking or signs of age. Nose and palate are intense and pure showing bright red cherries, dried cherries, cinnamon laced red florals, cigar box, worn leather, graphite, smoke, dark soil and well integrated oak. Midpalate too was intense in its depth and purity of red fruits, spice, and prominent graphite with piercingly focused acid and silky tannin that drive this to a long finish that has great complexity in its waves of flavors that change as it lingers on the palate. Liquid Americana!

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  9/4/2015 - Rackit Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Agree with previous notes. The color looked as if it were a recent vintage. No bricking or browning at all. Amazing. Lots of primary fruit remains with well integrated, soft tannins, cedar and cherry. Very enjoyable.

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  1/10/2015 - petitblanc wrote: flawed

  Nice color, otherwise unclean, cooked, dead. Slight old seepage. From Sonoma grapes.

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