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Red
1996 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate
Cabernet Sauvignon
- USA
- California
- Napa Valley
Label borrowed from 1997
Label borrowed from 1995
Label borrowed from 1997
Label borrowed from 1997
Label borrowed from 1997
Label borrowed from 1997
Label borrowed from 1997
Label borrowed from 1997
Label borrowed from 1997
Label borrowed from 1997
Label borrowed from 1997
Community Tasting Notes 271
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Geaux Tigers Likes this wine: 95 points
April 24, 2024 - Full disclosure, I am homer for aged Montelena so take this note with my bias in mind.
PnP, ready to go on open, even better after 60 min.
On the nose, medicinal spice, hint of barnyard, eucalyptus, sour cherry, mushrooms.
On the palate, red fruited delight, elegant and balanced, charcoal, red cherry, green olive (a positive even though I hate green notes), cigar box, saddle leather, hint of chocolates. Oak? Tannins? Not today.
This bottle was amazing and everything I want in an aged Montelena. At age 28, dare I say this is in the zone. Need to find more! -
philtheone wrote: 94 points
February 19, 2024 - belles note tertiaires, mature, ne devrait pas se bonifier plus...
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DH90 Likes this wine: 94 points
September 24, 2023 - Deep garnet color with relatively little separation. Our tasting group guessed that it was a 5-10 year old wine! Powerful aromatic nose that early had some acetone elements but they quickly dissipated to reveal black fruit, hints of green bell pepper, and a long concentrated finish. Surprisingly low alcohol content listed on the label at 13.5%. Lovely wine with lots of life left.
1 person found this helpful Comment -
Nothung Likes this wine: 92 points
July 3, 2023 - Still in a good place after all these years. Not the best Montelena, but it is still a Montelena and thus a wonderful glass of Cali Cab.
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Nothung Likes this wine: 94 points
July 3, 2023 - A top flight bottle from this great estate. A wonderful expression of California cab. In a great place right now. Unlikely to improve with more time in the bottle, but no rush to drink up. Opened about 7 hours before drinking, not decanted, but probably would have benefited from a short decant before serving.
2 people found this helpful Comment
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Pro Reviews 2
Add a Pro ReviewVinous
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By Stephen Tanzer
May/June 1998, IWC Issue #78 (link)(Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa Valley) Subscribe to see review text.
RJonWine.com
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By Richard Jennings
1/11/2018 (link) 95 points(Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate) From magnum - Very dark red violet color; aromatic, spice, black currant, plum, cedar nose; delicious, silky textured, black currant, spice, blackberry, cedar palate with good balancing acidity; long finish
Wine Definition
- Vintage 1996
- Type Red
- Producer Chateau Montelena
- Varietal Cabernet Sauvignon
- Designation The Montelena Estate
- Vineyard n/a
- Country USA
- Region California
- SubRegion Napa Valley
- Appellation Napa Valley
- UPC Codes 006000008022, 006691000060, 733555000095
Community Holdings
- Pending Delivery 39 (1%)
- In Cellars 3,027 (55%)
- Consumed 2,483 (45%)
Food Pairing
Community Recommendations
Grilled Dry-Aged Rib Eye, Peppernata pastaWho Likes This Wine
98% Like It 65 votes
More About This Wine
Articles
- ProducerChateau Montelena
- VarietyCabernet Sauvignon
- CountryUSA
- RegionCalifornia
- SubRegionNapa Valley
- AppellationNapa Valley
Add Articles
- Wine1996 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate (add)
- FamilyChateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate (add)
- ProducerChateau Montelena
- VarietalCabernet Sauvignon
- DesignationThe Montelena Estate (add)
- CountryUSA
- RegionCalifornia
- SubRegionNapa Valley
- AppellationNapa Valley