4 Decades, 21 Bottles, 1 Producer- Chateau Montelena

Daniel's Broiler, Bellevue , WA
Tasted Saturday, May 14, 2005 by Jason with 1,673 views

Introduction

Last year Roy put on quite a celebration fo Insignia, so it only seemed appropriate to do Montelena this year. Thanks to Roy for handling the arrangements with Daniel's. Most importantly, thanks to everyone for bringing such great wines. It was fascinating to track the evolution of the wine making style of a top American producer but more on that later.

Flight 1 - Firsts (3 Notes)

1973 was the first Cab made in the modern era at Montelena. 1978 was the first official Estate Cab. Neither wine disappointed. Though the 1982 was truly awesome.

  • 1973 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County 91 Points

    USA, California, Sonoma County

    This was the first Cab made by Montelena (the modern one; I don't know if the 19th winery made one). I was pleasantly surprised at how well it showed. The nose showed caramel corn, iron filings, rosemary, cocoa, and piercing minerality. Everytime I came back to the nose I found something new. The palate was fairly thick but showing signs of age. Like the nose the palate offered great minerality. It also had plenty of tannins left. It was a real pleasure to try such a well stored top quality wine.

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  • 1978 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    This was the first Estate Cab made by Montelena. It was a lovely wine. The nose showed some horse, briar, spicy oak, and pomegrante. The palate was far softer than the 73 with much more fruit. I also found vanilla and like the 73 plenty of structure. These most have been very tannic wines in their youth. While this wine had more fruit than the 73, it did not show the same level of complexity.

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  • 1982 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 96 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Based on the nose alone there was no way that I would have guessed New World. It showed some Cal sweetness, but it was dominated by earth and leather. The palate was very thick and spicy with loads of fruit and even more tannins. My notes look like the description of a 69 Camaro; very muscular, powerful, great power in the front palate. I also found a strong coffee element. The palate really reminded me of the 94 Quilceda. This will continue to improve. 96+

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Flight 2 - The 80s Show (4 Notes)

The 84 was by far the best wine in this flight.

Flight 3 - Calm Before the Storm (3 Notes)

These were some excellent wines, but they were run over by the next flight.

  • 1993 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 89 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    The nose seemed very closed. I was able, however, to coax out a little blueberry and graham cracker. I liked the smooth mouthfeel. While there was fruit, it was dominated by spicy tannins. This was a good wine but it not offer much complexity.

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  • 1989 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 91 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    The nose had an odd papery element. I don't think it was corked, but I was a bit put off. I also found some vanilla and floral elements. The palate, however, was very rich with sweet dark fruit. Like other wines in the tasting it showed good balance and mouthfeel but lacked great complexity. 91?

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  • 1990 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    The nose seemed a touch softer than some of the other wines. I found blackberries and vanilla. The palate had great mouthfeel and balance in the front and mid palate. The tannins, however, poke out a bit at the end. I found tastes of chocolate, crushed blackberries, and a touch of heat at the end. Overall this wine seems very young. If the tannins can soften a bit (are they too green?) and if the heat can integrate a bit this wine will be even better.

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Flight 4 - As Good as It Gets (4 Notes)

Putting oxidized 87 aside, this as good an American flight I have tasted. The 92 was awesome and one of the wines of the year.

  • 1992 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 98 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    One of the best Cal Cabs I have tasted. The nose showed smoke, chocolate, and vanilla. The palate was huge and so sweet and dark. Despite it size it was in perfect balance. Unlike other wines in this vertical this wine showed silkier, riper tannins. I found tastes of chalk, dark chocolate, blackberries. Tremendous.

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  • 1991 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 97 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Though this wine was tremendous it was slightly edged by the 92. This was a mere 97 points. :) The nose was a touch closed and a bit brighter than other wines tonight. I also found a distinct melted milk chocolate element. The palate showed huge fruit and huge but smooth, spicy tannins. The fruit was very dark and sweet. Everytime I tasted it I found a new layer of flavor. This wine will only get better with time. Wow.

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  • 1994 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 95 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    We had a bad bottle last week at Michael's house, but luckily this bottle showed well. The nsoe was very close, however, but I did get cassis and vanilla. I got chocolate and some horse on the palate (sounds strange, huh?). It also offered a very long finish. The most unique element was the spearmint nature of the tannins. They really gripped my mouth. With time this will get better.

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  • 1987 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    While this wine was drinkable, it showed some signs of oxidation. The nose showed some horse, dust, and Ritz Cracker. The palate was were the oxidation really showed in the form or almonds and balsamic. Despite that it was very , very thick. I have had one great bottle of this wine, and I am anxious to try one again.

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Flight 5 - Eye of the Hurricane (3 Notes)

Like Flight 3, this was overshadowed by Flight 4. Despite that the 98 showed very well.

Flight 6 - Virgin Territory (4 Notes)

Bo Barrett added a great surprise to this tasting by agreeing to sell me a 02. It was my first taste of the wine, and I am glad to have 6 on order. The 01, however, was the standout.

  • 1999 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 94 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    The nose was oaky and sweet with vanilla and blackberries. Oddly, it reminded me a bit of a syrah. The mouth followed the nose in it oakiness and sweetness. I really liked the ripe black fruit. As it sat in my glass it showed signs of further opening. The tannins are strong, of course, but it seems to have the fruit to match.

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  • 2001 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 96 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    This wine really impressed me. It showed vanilla and crushed blackberry. The fruit was a tad bright, and I found a hint of VA. The palate showed very sweet blackberry, smoke, and strong tannins. This will be awesome with time. It might be a new version of the 91.

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  • 1997 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 92 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    The nose was high-toned with blueberries, dried herbs, and chocolate. The palate was thick with very, very low acid. The tannins were a bit coarse. The finish was long and showed a Chex Mix element to it.

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  • 2002 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate 93 Points

    USA, California, Napa Valley

    Bo and team really generous and offered to sell me an 02 before release. It was a fitting way to end a strong tasting. The nose was very young with some cheesy oak elements and blueberry jam. The palate offered low acid and soft tannins. Despite the softness they really gripped my mouth on the long finish. There, however, is plenty of fruit to match. This just needs time.

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Flight 7 - All's Well that Ends Well (1 Note)

My lovely wife happened to be at the Issaquah Costco when their Suduiraut hit the floor. I had to taste one. Wow. I am sure it will only improve with age, but it is wonderful now.

  • 2001 Château Suduiraut 99 Points

    France, Bordeaux, Sauternais, Sauternes

    My goodness. This is what wine is all about. The nose was worth the price alone. It showed wax, honey, concentrated lime oil, and many other exotic elements. Everytime I came back to the glass I found something new. The palate was very thick with awesome acids. How can a wine be so sweet and ripe but keep such great acidity? The finish was endless. The best word to descrive this wine is beautiful. I have yet had the Rieussec, but this is the finest young Sauternes I have had.

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Closing

I learned a lot about Montelena at this tasting.
1. I really like their wines.
2. Their style evolved in the late 80s. The 70s and early 80s wines offered far more rustic, perhaps, coarser tannins. Sometime in the late 80s they moved to a riper more accessible style. The 82 shows that the old style can age, but the 92 shows that the new style can age just as well.
3. I am lucky to have a great group of friends.
4. I really like Montelena. :)

Last but not least. Here are the quotes of the night. Some of these were quite funny after 22 bottles of wine. :)

1. Can I get a napkin? When I spit I dribble.
2. Because I am more of a nose man.
3. Used or new?
4. You slept with Parker?
5. Innuendo is an Italian suppository.

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