This is just an outstanding bottle of wine. Definitely in it's zone right now and will hold for years to come. Just a heady nose of deep dark fruit with creme de casis nuances. On the palate very expansive and broad. Hitting on all cylinders. Delivers concentrated denseness without over extraction. Lovely fruit with just the right acidity. Excellent really to meditate without food. Great conversational piece.
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Purchased from the winery and held in my walk-in since release. Notes begin after a 4 hr decant, followed in Sommelier stems as these added depth to the finish bs our regular Reidels.
Relatively light coloring with a good grip on the stems. Red fruit and black tea on the nose. Tasted blind Mrs Davidandrose took this as an aged merlot. I beleive this follows the house style and see it as more of an aged Bordeaux blend rather than a cab, though I'd take it to be much older than it is and would be hard-pressed to disagree with my bride if tasted blind.
I called the winery when I saw the composite cork, which has apparently been used since the 2014 vintage, though I don't recall recall this from the earlier vintages I've opened.
As others note I too am struggling w Montys QPR, esp after the latest price increase from $105 to 150 as a 20 year member of their futures program. I just cut the cord w Shafer after a similar post buy-sell increase, and I have a much longer a personal relationship w Shafer as it's our wedding wine and the wine that opened our eyes (and wallet) to wine appreciation and collection.
Was recently at the tasting room in SF. Russell thinks this is a 30-year wine. '13 and '16 Estate bottles for a few more years before trying one. (14 and 17 starting to drink now. 13, 16 are 30-year wines. 18 is on the edge.)
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I bought this wine to be enjoyed over the Christmas 2021 holiday, and enjoy it I did.
The wind is deep, brooding ruby. The nose was quite closed on day 1 but opened up generously to reveal notes of dark berries, cedar, and spice. I’m not sure if it was just the season, but there were hints of Christmas too - fruitcake, molasses, baking spuces. On the palate the wine is extremely luxurious and silky smooth. Hints of raspberries, dark cherries, milk chocolate, and subtle green pepper. The finish is lengthy and the wine is impeccably balanced.
Enjoy this now but i would certainly have high expectations for future greatness as well.
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Two hour double decant. Very deep magenta color. Wild strawberry taffy, mahogany, and subtle molasses on the nose. Dry, velvety palate. Firm, full, medium intensity tannins on the longish finish.
I liked this, but didn’t love it. This is overpriced for what you get IMHO.
Unfortunately, we killed a baby tonight. Waaayyy too early to be opening this. While it has the stuffing to suggest it will become a great wine, it is closed down right now. Hold at least until 2026. If drinking now, decant for four hours.
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2016 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark purple; big ripe grape nose; berries, mint, cocoa, cassis, wood; mid-big body; balanced for its age; fine Cabernet fruit, hints of oak; long semi-hot finish. Needs a little time to reach potential. 17.5 UC Davis scale, 93 other scales.
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Rich, slightly pompous and yet appealing aromas with the presence of darker raspberry fruit, matches, hints of graphite, blood and spices. Good full-bodied and juicy wine with a good mouthfeel of plums, redder berries, slightly warmer blackcurrant syrup, leather, espresso and mushrooms on a good finish with a light bite in the tannins. Needs time, but has potential. Absolutely. 92 points. For now. (92-94p)
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My first Cellar Master shipment so I was anxious to try. We did a virtual tasting with other friends who purchased the wine. Decanted over an hour... It is very young, I was expecting more. We kept one small glass out for the duration and that opened up after 3+ hours.... I need to learn patience :)
We get a six pack every year and always pop one open to try the latest. Informal notes. One of the best releases in a number of years (2010 and 2013 were also very good). The wine is never the biggest or most concentrated of Napa Cabs (which is my preference), but it always exudes class and demonstrates great balance. This vintage is beautifully perfumed, has very nice weight and palate presence and has nice length in the finish (some vintages seem a bit short). Clocks in at 14.1% (thank you, the 15% plus behemoths are often hot and out of balance). Was very enjoyable upon release and will provide many years of enjoyment
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4/7/2024 - jeanclaude wrote: 94 Points
This is just an outstanding bottle of wine. Definitely in it's zone right now and will hold for years to come. Just a heady nose of deep dark fruit with creme de casis nuances. On the palate very expansive and broad. Hitting on all cylinders. Delivers concentrated denseness without over extraction. Lovely fruit with just the right acidity. Excellent really to meditate without food. Great conversational piece.
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8/18/2023 - Braunstein Cellars Likes this wine: 94 Points
Absolutely delicious. Looked great on my sneakers and shorts!
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12/12/2022 - Plasmatini Likes this wine: 94 Points
Still young, but showing nicely. Great balance, mouthfeel, and acidity.
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9/17/2022 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 92 Points
Purchased from the winery and held in my walk-in since release. Notes begin after a 4 hr decant, followed in Sommelier stems as these added depth to the finish bs our regular Reidels.
Relatively light coloring with a good grip on the stems. Red fruit and black tea on the nose. Tasted blind Mrs Davidandrose took this as an aged merlot. I beleive this follows the house style and see it as more of an aged Bordeaux blend rather than a cab, though I'd take it to be much older than it is and would be hard-pressed to disagree with my bride if tasted blind.
I called the winery when I saw the composite cork, which has apparently been used since the 2014 vintage, though I don't recall recall this from the earlier vintages I've opened.
As others note I too am struggling w Montys QPR, esp after the latest price increase from $105 to 150 as a 20 year member of their futures program. I just cut the cord w Shafer after a similar post buy-sell increase, and I have a much longer a personal relationship w Shafer as it's our wedding wine and the wine that opened our eyes (and wallet) to wine appreciation and collection.
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9/11/2022 - gannon.johnc wrote:
Was recently at the tasting room in SF. Russell thinks this is a 30-year wine.
'13 and '16 Estate bottles for a few more years before trying one. (14 and 17 starting to drink now. 13, 16 are 30-year wines. 18 is on the edge.)
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1/2/2022 - Davidthibodeau4 Likes this wine: 95 Points
I bought this wine to be enjoyed over the Christmas 2021 holiday, and enjoy it I did.
The wind is deep, brooding ruby. The nose was quite closed on day 1 but opened up generously to reveal notes of dark berries, cedar, and spice. I’m not sure if it was just the season, but there were hints of Christmas too - fruitcake, molasses, baking spuces. On the palate the wine is extremely luxurious and silky smooth. Hints of raspberries, dark cherries, milk chocolate, and subtle green pepper. The finish is lengthy and the wine is impeccably balanced.
Enjoy this now but i would certainly have high expectations for future greatness as well.
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1/1/2022 - spacewrangler Likes this wine: 90 Points
Needs tons of time obviously but good promise. Check back in in 10 years.
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11/11/2021 - cfluehr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Even better the second time around, maturing nicely!
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11/7/2021 - AGELVIS Likes this wine: 92 Points
Two hour double decant. Very deep magenta color. Wild strawberry taffy, mahogany, and subtle molasses on the nose. Dry, velvety palate. Firm, full, medium intensity tannins on the longish finish.
I liked this, but didn’t love it. This is overpriced for what you get IMHO.
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10/4/2021 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Unfortunately, we killed a baby tonight. Waaayyy too early to be opening this. While it has the stuffing to suggest it will become a great wine, it is closed down right now. Hold at least until 2026. If drinking now, decant for four hours.
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2/14/2021 - Tim Smith Likes this wine: 94 Points
Very good, smooth and with plenty of years to mature.
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12/5/2020 - sdwineguru Likes this wine: 93 Points
2016 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Dark purple; big ripe grape nose; berries, mint, cocoa, cassis, wood; mid-big body; balanced for its age; fine Cabernet fruit, hints of oak; long semi-hot finish. Needs a little time to reach potential. 17.5 UC Davis scale, 93 other scales.
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11/23/2020 - Andre Brattland wrote: 92 Points
Rich, slightly pompous and yet appealing aromas with the presence of darker raspberry fruit, matches, hints of graphite, blood and spices. Good full-bodied and juicy wine with a good mouthfeel of plums, redder berries, slightly warmer blackcurrant syrup, leather, espresso and mushrooms on a good finish with a light bite in the tannins. Needs time, but has potential. Absolutely. 92 points. For now. (92-94p)
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6/28/2020 - rhsphd7@gmail.com wrote: 91 Points
Open for a couple of hours before driving helped soften the tannins. Still young but tasty.
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6/6/2020 - tansywood Likes this wine: 100 Points
Beautiful & smooth
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6/6/2020 - tansywood Likes this wine: 100 Points
Beautiful & smooth.
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4/18/2020 - Pinkflash wrote: 90 Points
My first Cellar Master shipment so I was anxious to try. We did a virtual tasting with other friends who purchased the wine. Decanted over an hour... It is very young, I was expecting more. We kept one small glass out for the duration and that opened up after 3+ hours.... I need to learn patience :)
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3/18/2020 - WineDuq Likes this wine: 93 Points
We get a six pack every year and always pop one open to try the latest. Informal notes. One of the best releases in a number of years (2010 and 2013 were also very good). The wine is never the biggest or most concentrated of Napa Cabs (which is my preference), but it always exudes class and demonstrates great balance. This vintage is beautifully perfumed, has very nice weight and palate presence and has nice length in the finish (some vintages seem a bit short). Clocks in at 14.1% (thank you, the 15% plus behemoths are often hot and out of balance). Was very enjoyable upon release and will provide many years of enjoyment
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