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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 92.5 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 282 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by galewskj on 3/22/2024 & rated 92 points: Guys night - course meal (Kevin and Vicki's house): Drank a small glass over an hour. This seemed rustic and definitely old school, with leather and plum. Not the best showing for me and the bottle seemed a bit warm. (863 views) | | | Tasted by rocknroller on 3/14/2024 & rated 95 points: Guy's Night: Variety Pack (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Very dark red/purple color. Poppped the cork and left out for 3+ hours before serving. Drank a glass over an hour plus. Leather, funk, cassis, deep berry fruits, graphite, penetrating and layered, round tannins and a sleek texture. A splendid Montelena Estate that still has a full tank of gas. (795 views) | | | Tasted by capacious on 9/10/2023 & rated 96 points: This has evolved beautifully. What a delight! what a reward for patience. Into tertiaries, lengthy finish, leathers, tars, chocolates, great feel on the palate. Love this wine (1553 views) | | | Tasted by kenv on 6/8/2023 & rated 94 points: [Decanted around 5:30pm.] Gorgeous nose of plums, black cherries, violets, and Asian spices. Silky in the mouth with a long fresh finish of tart cherries, red currants, and tar. The texture is terrific. No rush to drink, but it's probably hit its peak.
8:30pm with prime ribeye: A match made in heaven. That black fruit and silky texture envelopes the steak in your mouth enriching and amplifying the flavor.
10:30: Just getting better and better. (1904 views) | | | Tasted by andolini on 4/3/2023 & rated 92 points: Love aged Montelena, held on to this a bit too long. Well integrated and balanced, but fruit profile was limited. Drink up (2031 views) | | | Tasted by MC2 Wines on 9/7/2022: Acker Pre-Auction September 2022 (Redbury Lounge): May as well have been made last year it’s that young. Feels like a more modern California style. A bit big and intense. (3169 views) | | | Tasted by VDLT Wine on 7/17/2022: Drunk alongside the 1990.they were remarkably similar. This one had slightly more energy and vibrancy and was a bit more compact. A very good wine that couldn’t quite ascend to outstanding heights. (2619 views) | | | Tasted by Michael Hung on 7/1/2022 & rated 92 points: [Good fill level]
Med/Med+ intensity, dried fruit, prune, fig, raisin, leather, cedar/oak, baking spices. Good fruit showing still for the age. I enjoyed the flavors and overall depth, but it does taste everso slightly tired and losing some freshness. Good example of an aged Cali Cab. I would say drink now if you have any left. 92 pts (2226 views) | | | Tasted by Kevnzworld on 5/22/2022 & rated 95 points: PNP Barish
Beautifully aged Cali Cab. Good fruit balance with smooth tannins .
Baking spices , eucalyptus Toasted oak finish (2021 views) | | | Tasted by Decanting Queen on 2/25/2022 & rated 95 points: Wow this was good. And disproved my theory that no wine can taste good at a dance competition where you are drinking from bad hotel wine glasses or even plastic solo cups, all while acting like a ‘butler’ for your child as you run around like a maniac between performances.
But this wine withstood the ULTIMATE test.
Amazing nose from the PNP, dark fruit, mulled spices. Ready to drink almost right away but drank well over two days (although stored over night in sealed Pyrex bottle).
Plenty of intensity on the palate and the fruit dominates but there are layers of complexity within the fruit, dark cherries, cassis and dark plums. Also plenty of spice, licorice, and touch of tobacco. Tannins are present but smooth and acid is very present (in a good way for me). Finish is long.
This wine made my weekend. (4221 views) | | | Tasted by seijaro on 2/20/2022 & rated 95 points: Wow, a real beauty! Opened up after only 30 minutes in decanter, showed sediment, a big Bordeaux nose, and some browning. At the one hour mark it was singing, a terrific fully mature Cab that was a delight to drink with garlic and oil pasta. It began to subside at 90 minutes, but by that time we had about finished the bottle. Montelena really is Napa royalty. What a treat! Boy, was I wrong in my 2018 comments that it would fade. (1887 views) | | | Tasted by P.A. Cross on 1/10/2022: Stellar! So fresh and balanced, with notes of pencil shavings, minerals, licorice and dark cherries. Long, with gentle notes of clean earth, new leather, flowers and wood. Amazingly delicious, with no hard edges. Was fantastic and then went to next level with food! (2028 views) | | | Tasted by rocknroller on 8/28/2021 & rated 95 points: Annual Wine Group Summer Event - BBQ Brisket at Siggy's (Siggy & Jenny's Place, Mpls, MN): Small tasting pour. Brief note. This was flaming from the start; absolutely gorgeous, poised, harmonious and classy, earthy, pencil, pristine cassis and dark red fruits, wow, great bottle and my WOTN. (3188 views) | | | Tasted by chablis28 on 8/28/2021 & rated 96 points: Same btl as I Rather Be Drinking Wine. This was a beautifully mature old school CA Cab with a killer nose, placid elegance & layers of fruit & tertiary notes in spades. My WOTN. Only regrets, I couldn't have more than one pour at a recent wine group party. I'm sure others lucky enough to get a glass loved it too! Thanks Jason! (3094 views) | | | Tasted by I'd Rather Be Drinking Wine on 8/28/2021 & rated 96 points: Wine Group Picnic at Steve's: double decanted at 2:00 for a 5:00 wine tasting. This bottle was amazing! Nose showed black and red fruit, leather, earth and tobacco, with hints of spice and bramble. The palate followed suit with a nice balance between fruit and tertiary flavors. This was right in my wheelhouse! My number two wine of the night amongst some very fine wines!
This wine has the fortitude to go for another 5 years without losing any of the flavors that make this wine stand out. An excellent wine that makes you stand up and take notice! A good value and a great wine, IMO! No hurry, but you will not be disappointed if you open one soon! (3145 views) | | | Tasted by kevinpatrick on 8/24/2021 & rated 93 points: CLT Wine Dinner (Mini-LMHB vertical, Aged 20+ yr Napa, and Aged 10+ yr Pinot) (Charlotte, NC): Slo-ox 2.5 hours before serving.
Color: Dense, dark blackberry.
Nose: Aged leather, cedar and graphite.
Palate: Full bodied, muscular, and concentrated. Well woven flavors of black cherry, blackcurrants, and blackberries. Excellent balance of rich flavors and enjoyable earthiness. An elegant wine with a plush mouthfeel.
Finish: Long and silky.
A great wine. New world fruit in an old world style. The way California wines should be! (2719 views) | | | Tasted by Been There on 8/24/2021 & rated 91 points: Well-stored since shortly after release. Fairly deeply colored ruby, initially with a reticent nose which developed into more Bordeaux character than California. Sound, with medium high acidity, but this bottle lacked sufficient fruit to balance acidity and elevate the wine to excellence. Slight cigar ash character in the palate which would add complexity if the fruit had been stronger, but otherwise was a slight distraction. Sometimes a Napa Cab hits the ideal balance of New and Old Worlds, but this fell a bit short on both, and on expectations. Consumed alongside other wines, so not ambiance or food - bottle variation? Drink up, if risk averse. (2276 views) | | | Tasted by misterstarre on 3/28/2021 & rated 95 points: Revisiting this wine after 10 years, I was stoked how vital it remains. It's dark red and driven by currant, berries, and crushed rock, with a hit of mint or eucalyptus (but that's subtle) - wonderful flavors. It was also pretty juicy. 10 years ago, it was youthful and supple. It has shed a little weight, but it is still polished and more than medium bodied. This wine is elegant and plush, and it's not going anywhere fast. Ready to drink and worth opening, but also worthy of additional time if you prefer. (2319 views) | | | Tasted by englishman's claret on 8/31/2020 flawed bottle: Seemed both cooked in terms of its stewed, porty notes and corked. Yikes. (3496 views) | | | Tasted by RockinCabs on 8/30/2020 flawed bottle: TCA and Cooked. Double turds! (2380 views) | | | Tasted by kr522 on 8/26/2020 & rated 93 points: Drinking nicely. The nose has a little funk, then opens into aged leather and sweet prune notes. If someone blinded me and said it’s bordeaux I’d guess 1990, but on closer examination it’s more sweet than roasted, and the palate has that distinct combination of ripe purple fruit and tang that’s classic California. This has the depth to continue aging, but the fruit is energetic and in a very good spot now, no reason to wait (2364 views) | | | Tasted by vulgar little monkey on 7/3/2020 & rated 90 points: Not as good as the bottle in September 2019. Seems to be on the down slope for my palate. Tannins are fully resolved and it is round in the mouth with some cried currants with a Cabernet herbal/minty mixture. Drink up. (2475 views) | | | Tasted by turkdaddy on 6/7/2020 & rated 94 points: Bought on release directly from the winery, the bottle was in immaculate condition. Quick decant for ~one hour and it jumped right out with beautiful fruit aromas of dark berries. The palate was well-balanced with leather, earthiness, and fine tannins. Could be mistaken for a top-notch, aged left bank BDX, but had a bit more fruit. Still has 5-10 years of life in it, and I will not be rushing to open my few remaining bottles. (2000 views) | | | Tasted by tomlee on 4/12/2020 & rated 97 points: Crimson in color. 13.5% ABV. Spellbinding nose of red fruits, cedar, leather and graphite. Full bodied, powerful and concentrated. Rich, youthful fruit in spades. Black cherry, currants, creme de cassis and mint on the palate. The finish is exceptionally long with silky, fine grained tannins. What a spectacular showing for a 26 year old bottle of Montelena. For my money, one of the top 3-4 wines ever from this Estate. I have one bottle left that I will open in 2030. Best over the next 7-10 years. (2071 views) | | | Tasted by nphase on 3/22/2020 flawed bottle: Corked. a tear was shed. (1846 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Jancis Robinson, MW
JancisRobinson.com (2/2/2022)
(Chateau Montelena, The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, Chateau Montelena Cabernet Estate: 1977-2010 (May 2019) (5/1/2019)
(Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Montelena Napa Valley Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Elin McCoy
Decanter, 5 Decades of Chateau Montelena Dream Tasting (6/27/2018)
(Chateau Montelena, Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley, California, USA, Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Alex Hunt, MW
JancisRobinson.com (7/3/2012)
(Chateau Montelena, The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Alex Hunt, MW
JancisRobinson.com (7/3/2012)
(Chateau Montelena, The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley Red) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JancisRobinson.com and Vinous and Decanter. (manage subscription channels) |
| Chateau Montelena Producer website
Very DETAILED history of the property
From winery:
What’s not to like about the weather in 2018? The late spring rains in March and April were very productive and the vines responded with plentiful growth into summer. Unusually low nighttime temperatures coupled with warm to hot days magnified the acidity in the fruit, creating elegant structure for extending aging, rather than overtly jammy flavor. Harvest was slow and methodical as subtle variations in soil and sun exposure magnified the typically nuanced differences in ripening and maturation.
NOSE PALATE FINISH
Fresh and lively, the wine opens effusively with raspberry, mint and plum sauce. The baking spices soon follow, leaning clove initially but with plenty of cedar and vanilla. Still subtle, the ripe fruit elements, mostly cassis and fig at this stage, lurk beneath the surface along with beautiful hints of graphite and toasted sage, awaiting additional time in glass.
HARVEST DATES
September 20 – October 25
ALCOHOL
14.2%
BLEND
98% Cabernet Sauvignon 1.5% Petit Verdot 0.5% Cabernet Franc
Still very tightly wound, it’s the texture and mouthfeel that drive the palate initially. The tannins in particular are somewhat coarse but not so angular to overshadow the abundant dark fruit. The dynamic tension on the midpalate serves to focus and magnify the layers of black cherry, cocoa powder, and black pepper, before turning slightly earthy and dusty. The structure is pronounced, but still harmonious and well defined.
Technical Information
BARREL AGING
22 months in 100% French oak, 40% new
BOTTLING DATE
August 2020
It’s in the transition to the finish that the acidity materializes in almost candy-like fashion, a beautiful contrast to the supple tannins. Here the wine’s density shines elegantly, well balanced between smoky, espresso bean and delicate, dried blackberry. It’s the latter that defines the finish at this moment, persistent in length and depth.
WINEMAKER
Matt Crafton
Cabernet SauvignonCabernet Sauvignon is probably the most famous red wine grape variety on Earth. It is rivaled in this regard only by its Bordeaux stablemate Merlot, and its opposite number in Burgundy, Pinot Noir. From its origins in Bordeaux, Cabernet has successfully spread to almost every winegrowing country in the world. It is now the key grape variety in many first-rate New World wine regions, most notably Napa Valley, Coonawarra and Maipo Valley. Wherever they come from, Cabernet Sauvignon wines always seem to demonstrate a handful of common character traits: deep color, good tannin structure, moderate acidity and aromas of blackcurrant, tomato leaf, dark spices and cedarwood.
Used as frequently in blends as in varietal wines, Cabernet Sauvignon has a large number of common blending partners. Apart from the obvious Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the most prevalent of these are Malbec, Petit Verdot and Carmenere (the ingredients of a classic Bordeaux Blend), Shiraz (in Australia's favorite blend) and in Spain and South America, a Cabernet – Tempranillo blend is now commonplace. Even the bold Tannat-based wines of Madiran are now generally softened with Cabernet SauvignonUSAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson Napa Valley Napa Valley Wineries and Wine (Napa Valley Vintners)Napa ValleySt. Helena |
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