Dark ruby red color. Lots of sediment in the decanter. Tobacco and cedar prominent on nose with blackberry secondarily.. Black cherry, blackberry, still some tannins.
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I feel like this bottle is currently in that middle stage of not knowing what it wants to be.... Upon opening, Big Bold & in your face, after 2 hours of decant, very muted, with small hints of Bordeaux like characteristics coming from the back end.... I feel as if this bottle needs another 5 years minimum to take on that older Napa style I believe it's made to resemble, but I will not think about touching my other bottles for a MINIMUM of 8-10 years. This bottle was great, but definitely let me down in terms of immediate enjoyment, but at the same time is talking to me on how amazing it will be with some patience.
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Once again a cork broke off on an older bottle of Montelena Estate. Ruby red in the glass. After three hours in the decanter, tobacco was the predominant nose. Blackberry flavors that persist on a lengthy finish. Good and approachable, but still tannins still present and has time.
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Quite a step up from a bottle drunk in 2021. concentrated fruit and secondary flavors. With grilled beef tenderloin. Give it 30 minutes of air. Drink or hold
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Lovely floral aromas. Dark Burgundy in the glass. Flavors of dark fruit, blackberry and cassis. Integrated tannins with refreshing acidity. The wine is lively with a long finish. Wonderfully delicious.
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Huh. Thought I had more of these but this apparently was my only one. Hmmm..... Well, this one after bottle decanting for 3 hours and then consumed over the next 2 hours, this wine is half awake. Unfortunately it means that it is also half asleep. The fruit is quite expressive without a doubt. This is quintessential Calistoga fruit right here in this glass. Blackberry, hint of truffle, toasted nuts, tar, pipe tobacco. Stiff oak tannin. Lots of it here but honestly the 1979 Monty Cab enjoyed two weeks prior was more integrated than this one was. Really insane how these wines are so structured, and this one without a doubt still has the dang scaffolding on the outside of the bottle! If you have these, you might want to pop one. But my suspicion is that you'll be pushing all the rest to the back of the cellar and coming back to them after 2030.
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Needs more time, still a bit structured. Seems to be at an awkward stage in its life. Will let this vintage sit for 5-10 more years and come back to it then.
Dyp, mørk lilla opak farge med tendenser til brunt. Blåbær, bjørnebær, steinsopp, tre, jord og trøfler på nesen. Smak av mørke bær, tranebær, sjokolade, sopp og lakris. Fortsatt fin syre, delikate, smått modne tanniner, sitter lenge. Flott vin. Perfekt moden nå, men tåler sikkert flere år til i kjelleren.
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4th Saturday Brown Bagger (EBCC): Blind. Garnet color. Aromas of currant and red plum with earthy undertones. Full-bodied, with plum and red berry fruit, herb, forest floor and spice flavors. Balanced, with a lingering finish. Wine of the flight for many.
It wasn't until the end of the flight that I began to wonder if this was our bottle of Montelena. This had been decanted for nearly three hours. 93-94 pts.
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A year since my last bottle. Compared to other years, almost no sediment. 2 hour decant and it opened nicely. Aromas of red and black fruits, cassis, earth, leather, spice, tobacco and oak. The black fruits and spice are upfront with red fruit, earth, leather, cherry, plum, tobacco, cassis, and a hint of herbal flavor. Great balance with a long smooth finish. The tannins have softened nicely. Showing some secondary character. In its drinking window with years/decades to go.
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Anniversary dinner (Fiora’s, Geneva): Double decanted nearly four hours before dinner and I should have given it a full three or four hour decant. Still quite youthful in appearance with a deep core. Aromas of red and black currants, cedar and black cherry with a beguiling floral perfume overtone. Tannins have softened slightly but are finely knit and not obtrusive. Plum and black cabernet fruit with subtle spice and licorice notes on the back end. An elegant vintage, and beginning to drink well- should have a long life.
I am very happy to have many more bottles, including large format, to follow over the next couple of decades. 93+ for me, 94-95 pts for my lovely bride.
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Solid, but not specular wine. Decanted and drink over several hours. Some nice earthy tertiary notes coming thru now. Will see how this continues to age.
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half bottle, needed about an hour for it come into it owns. very nice glass of wine. dry with full fruit. should be good for another three years. drank with grilled rib steak.
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Very fruit-foward. Intense, complex and all abour balance nevertheless. Works with roasty dishes and sublime meaty dishes as well. Great wine, California Cab for the win!
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Long-aged purchase really delivered. The wine was silky smooth, feminine cab style really, but plenty of classic cabernet flavor. I'm glad we aged this one for so long -- drinking well for at least 3-5 more years.
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Drinking well, but no reason to rush the remaining bottles. Decanted for about 1 hour. Had with steak and mushrooms. Improved during the 1 1/2 hours we drank.
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From half bottle this is still quite young, but with a two hour decant it’s drinking very well. There’s plenty of fruit, and the structure can support another decade or two of cellaring. It’s rich, yet retains a classic style. Admittedly I am not incredibly excited about this, but it’s definitely a good wine, just doesn’t have a spark to make it memorable.
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Very nice cab drank with grilled beef tenderloin. This wine was really good but not great as it should be for the price. Still a lot of acidity. Hopefully this will improve with more cellar time.
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Decanted four hours and brought to a graduation party; commemorated year the high school graduates entered kindergarten. Dusty tannins dominated front-palate, offering a 20+2nd finish. Faint cherry fruit in the background.
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Decanted for 90 minutes. Dark ruby red in color. Black cherry, cassis, licorice, plum, and dark chocolate on the nose, and palate. Tannins are mild with a medium finish. This is drinking nicely.
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2 hour decant. Beautiful nose with red and black fruits, cassis, earth, leather, spice, tobacco and oak on the nose. Flavors are similar with red and black fruits, spice, earth, leather, cherry, plum, tobacco, cassis, a hint of herbal. Great balance with a long smooth finish. The tannins have really softened. Showing some secondary character. In its drinking window with years/decades to go.
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Aging really well. Classic Montelena estate Cabernet. Balanced, refined and not over the top. Fruit, spice, oak and tannins combine into great wine.
Blueberry, Currant, cinnamon, vanilla, leather, and soft, velvety tannins that coat the tongue and serve up a nice, medium-long finish. Wow! Have a worthy meal ready to pair with this beauty.
4.4 Chateau Montelena vertical: While splitting hairs between two great wines, everyone agree this '08 was more elegant than '09, but not quite as good with the prime ribs.
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Beautiful wine that is all about balance. Great flavor strawberry, mint, leather and a bit of chocolate. Great sweetness, smooth, round, lush tannins. This wine is probably right in the drinking window. I suspect it might get slightly better in the next few years, but it has the stuff to go another 15 years or so. Delicious.
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Great wine with fantastic balance ! Tasted 08 and 13 back to back, they were both outstanding! 08 on the secondary and 13 still had a lot of fruits, can’t choose witch one was my favorite but definitly a great wine to age!
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Benefitted from a 2 hour decant. Beautiful nose with red and black fruits, cassis,earth, leather, spice, tobacco and oak on the nose. Flavors are similar with red and black fruits, spice, earth, leather, cherry, plum, tobacco, cassis flavors. Great balanced with a long smooth finish. The tannins have really softened. Showing some secondary character. A long life ahead, Just at the beginning of its drinking window, but showing really well.
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DAMN WiNOS (Rye Restaurant, Eugene): Not as good as my last bottle (but still great). Nice mix of red and black fruit with mint, oak and earth notes. Great structure. Coming after the Cab from Howell Mtn, made this seem brighter and less tannic than maybe it was.
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This held up very well over time. Drinks very much like a French Bordeaux. Lighter and earthy with a little sweetness. Not crazy for it but it’s aged a bit yet I appreciate the softness of it. I prefer a younger or just more fruit forward Cabernet. I’d probably just enjoy a younger vintage. I’ll have to compare my notes in the future
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3 hour decant then followed for 3 more. Little, if any, fall off overnight ungassed!
Cassis, black cherry, and black plum fruit flavors tinged with eucalyptus, earth/wet stone, and oak notes. Nice depth and balance. Still fairly sturdy and should go 10 years with little effort.
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A wine I had been wanting to try for some time but waited to get one with some age. Beautiful dark cherry nose. On the palate dark cherry was also prominent along with black fruit, dark chocolate and cloves. Very smooth and long finish. Too expensive.
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Decanted for 3.5 hours then followed over 90 minutes. Muted Bordeaux nose of saddle leather and cigar, with faint mature fruit. Mouth feel is very well-balanced, with a reasonable weight and fine-grained tannins; crushed stone, mature dark fruit.
This is a classic Monty, with the finesse and elegance that you expect from a top notch wine. In a very good place with sufficient air, no rush on this. Poppin poor timing may still be another 3 to 5 years out.
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Beautiful wine that still has a little fruit/grapy character but is evolving into a beautiful wine. No sediment when decanted and it continued to blossom over the two hour meal. More elegant than dense with cherry and herbal notes. Should continue to improve although there are no rough edges now
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Enjoyed at Ascend. Very nice even with PnP. Full body, dark cherries sing on a foundation of rich dark fruit, cassis, a bit of mint and oak. Long finish.
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Danny and Keana (The Lyon Hall): 2 hour decant and I like this more than 5 years ago! I did not realize until posting, that the last one I opened was also with a med student (7/14!). Tasting this with the '08 Montrose was a real nice demo of the differFRANCEs between Napa and Bordeaux. Nice mix of red and black fruit with mint, oak and earth notes. Great structure. MAYBE better on day 2! Drink 2020-2030!
usually disappointed in Montelena Estate because I open it too early and it's super undrinkable....have learned to wait as the older it is the better it gets! this one was pretty good, but not mind blowing...good sweet cherry fruit with some background of dark fruit....good layers but not as big and complex as I would have thought...probably just a tad young but ready to drink and will hit prime in next 2-3 years
Still very young, just starting to enter in its drinking window. In general, I find Montelenas need at least 10 years to really show well. No browning at the edge, still purple. Red and black fruits, cassis,earth, leather, spice and oak on the nose. Flavors are similar with red and black fruits, spice, earth, leather, cherry, plum, cassis flavors. well balanced with a long smooth finish. Starting to show some secondary character. A long life ahead, decades.
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Deep ruby color with slow legs. Red cassis, french oak, cedar and fruit on the nose. Dark sour cherry, plum and hints of chocolate on the palate. Long velvety finish. Lots of potential still left in this wine.
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Had the 2008 and the 2009 this weekend. The 2008 was surprisingly soft, developed and balanced. The 2009 was still tight. A fair bit of tannins, acid on the high side and secondary flavors mostly not coming through. We will continue to drink 2008 but give 2009 another couple of years of aging before we try again.
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Followed out of the bottle over 2.5 hrs, allowing it to breathe for 30 mins before starting. Crush rock, forest floor and dark berries on the nose, in a package that smells more like a Bordeaux than a traditional cab.
Tannins are very well integrated leaving a modestly dry mouth feel across the entire pallet and a medium-long finish of 20+ seconds. Mature fruit, faint cigar and leather notes. Drinking very well but no rush; would like to retry during CY19
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Napa/Sonoma Trip With Some Exceptional Gems; 11/1/2017-11/5/2017 (1800ft Up Cavedale Road, Glen Ellen, CA): Mini Vertical of '05-'08 at Chateau Montelena. Very dark red color. Drank 1 glass over 75 minutes. CS98, CF2, 22 mos 100% Fr Oak, 34% new. We started with this and went younger to older for this tasting. This turned out to be my favorite of the group and just about everyone's. Open knit nose with cedar, dark cherry, black licorice, clove and cassis, and vanillin. The palate is medium plus body with good depth and a mix of tart cherry, black cherry, cassis, cedar, and bright acids. Drinking very well now, this has good upside.
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Love. Love. Love. This is a delectable gem that stands out over many cabs from Napa. It is a very elegant wine with a perfect balance between fruit and tannins. Unbelievably easy to drink and makes my woman's clothes come off... perhaps it will make your woman's clothes come off.
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While this '08 has youthful exuberance, it is very elegant. The blackberry and blueberry pie fruit is still predominant, but melds nicely into a black pepper and cedar mid-palate. The lengthy finish is silky and succulent. We think this wine needs another 5 years of cellar time then it will be signing.
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Color - Garnet Aromas - Cassis, lavender, violets, tobacco and a hint of mint Body - Medium-bodied harmonious and fresh with sweet well integrated tannins. Taste - Cassis, black cherry, vanilla, tobacco, and an appealing bit of minerality Finish - Long
A gorgeous wine in a sweet spot now!
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Tasted after the surprisingly grippy 2004. Generous fruit on the nose, liquorice, smoke, herbs, spices. Quite lively and bright on the palate, good fruit, lots of acidity, firm tannic grip. Decent length. 90-92
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Deep garnet. Pronounced aromas of ripe cassis, plum, menthol, vanilla, smoke, hints of leather, tobacco, cedar. Developing. Dry palate, med (+) acidity, full body, med (+) alcohol (13.5%), high ripe but fine tannins, pronounced flavours - more dried and baked fruit, more developed on the palate, long finish. Outstanding quality. Can be drunk now but has the structure and concentration to develop further tertiary complexity.
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Vertical tasting of the 05,06,07,08 estate wines at the winery. This finished second after the 2007. I would call these elegant wines and a bit light light for my tastes.
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Tasted at the Chateau Montelena Store in the Westin St. Francis San Francisco today before the UGC 2014 Bordeaux Tasting, nose of black cherry, blackberry, touch of cigar and dust from a dirt road on a hot summer day, same on the palate, needs 3 more years to peak or 3 hour decant, slightly fruit forward, very tasty, medium/long finish.
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Likely has years to go but definitely has entered its drinking window. Nice dark fruit, layered, balanced. Plenty of sediment so standing ahead of time isn't a bad idea.
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Dark red/purple color. The nose was consistent with the 1991 and 1996, but it was more youthful with dark fruit, herbs, tobacco, and a light brett note. The palate displayed moderate plus intensity with blackberry and dark cherry intermingled with tobacco and brett. There is enough acidity and well-managed tannins to provide a youthful profile, but it was balanced with a rounded mouthfeel. Overall, it was clear that this was a Chateau Montelena wine because of the refined profile coupled with some bretty complexity.
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First bottle of my half-case, stored properly since release. After 75 mins in the decanter there are faint but rich port-like fruits on the nose, light spice, hint of tea. Wine has a modest grip on the stems. Tannins are well-resolved and provide a nice silky coating, though the wine's body overall comes across as medium-light in weight. Not sure that I can concur with the drinking window through '25 based on what I'm seeing this evening. Will retry over the holidays to gauge.
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Opened with about an hour decant. Soft nose of black fruits, leather, pencil lead and green pepper.
Soft mouth feel, medium+ body, nice clarity and well balanced. I would have rated higher but tonight it appears thin on the mid-palate with a shorter finish than I would expect or have seen with other vintages.
Regardless, its a nice wine!
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Deep ruby color. Drinking very easily. Great balance with acidity, tannins, fruit. Just the right amount of bite to let you know you are drinking something with body. Little bit of kitchen spice. Leather. Nice lasting finish. Plenty of life in it but very approachable now.
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Opened by Allred. Decanted about 4 hours before dinner. Tried when first opened and it showed smokey notes. Really smoothed out after 4 hours. Notes of black fruit, pine and herbs. Firm tannins but not overtly in your face. Silky mouthfeel. Hold. 92-93 points.
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Dead on the nose. Tight, closed, and taste of tar on initial palate. So cool when the fruit creeped in over the course of an hour. Should have opened and left it for a day or two. Gonna be a great wine in a few years.
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2 of 6. Six months after number 1. Decanted little more than 1 hour before pouring.
First taste had hints of strawberry and some currant. Earthier tones emerged sitting in the glass. Still rather muscular (it is a Napa Cab after all) but very easy to drink at the same time. Well balanced.
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first night this was like drinking a cherry cola. Gained some weight as the night went on, but still seems a bit disjointed. Second night, it was much better integrated. Good wine (the second night). Will wait another year and see if it comes together.
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From Montelena Estate Cab vertical tasting. Darker in color. Tight nose revealing earth, cedar and cherry notes. Great mouthfeel, wonderful red and black fruit. Moderate tannins. Smooth, graceful and long now, bound to be stunning in a few years and should last for 20 years. Beautiful wine. Best of the five earlier vintages.
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Compared to the 06 and 07 that we opened following the 08, this didn't come close. Muted nose, not much going on in the bottle. Not bad, just not much there comparatively speaking.
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This was the last of a mostly cab dinner party. PnP and maybe that was the problem because I did not enjoy this wine. Thought it was astringent with no fruit to speak of. Drank about half and put in a stopper. Will try again tomorrow to see if is has opened up.
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Dinner with MS3: Nick and Lauren (The Lyon's Tree House): This was in a very sweet spot after a 3 hour decant. Cassis, blackberry, black plum tinged with mint, oak, and earth notes. Nice depth and balance. Still fairly sturdy and should go 5-7 years with little effort.
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Had to long ago to recall specifics. But remember thinking was an awesome wine, that continued to get better and evolve hours after being decanted. Much more European in style which to us was a good thing.
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My least favorite of the night. Clear minerality and lighter than the Caymus with little fruit on the nose or palate. Lighter tannins 6/10 and more French like than a Napa fruit bomb.
A gorgeous, Bordeaux-like Napa cab that is drinking beautifully, despite its young age. Decanted for 2 hours and the flavors exploded out of the glass. Dark fruit, vanilla-cream, and pleasing notes of earth and smoke balance harmoniously in this medium to full bodied gem. Yum.
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Popped and let stand in the bottle for an hour. This bottle was fabulous. Very smooth and well structured with a nice long finish that remained balanced. Nice Cab flavors went well with grilled sirloin and a bleu cheese corn salad.
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Stunning. Still young, but wonderful structure, fruit, and creaminess. A very nice juxtaposition of California Cab and Bordeaux, it has the American bluster at first, but settles down with a great deal of refinement, much like an AMG can smoke the tires but still be a great grand touring car.
Delicious.
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4th Saturday group "uptown" tasting (Rich & Dana's): Notes of dill, cherries and red currants with floral undertones. On the full side of medium-bodied, with flavors of red fruit and florals, cherry and vanilla. FInishes well. A lighter, more elegant wine that may have suffered a bit in this lineup by comparison. Still a very nice CA cab. 93+ pts. Was not surprised to see this unveiled as the Montelena.
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clear maroon in color. black currant, cherry, mineral, pepper on the nose. black currant, oak, mineral on the palate. high acid, big tannins on the finish.
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Slow oxed for 1 hr then consumed with a grilled ribeye on a camping trip. Shows great promise. Obviously super young, and tastes like it with its grippy, moderately toasted oak nature and slightly rough mouthfeel. Med+ body, somewhat restrained and unsettled presently but shows excellent depth and potential class and elegance, once it matures a bit. A welcome tart edge to the fruit that I like. Good length and acidity, and really nice minerality. Lacks the refinement that will come with age. Love the style though. 93 today but this needs cellar time, say 5+ years.
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Binny's welcomes Bo Barrett (Binny's, Linclon Park): Crimson color. Black currant, cherry, herb and mineral notes. Full-bodied, firm tannins. Flavors of cherry, cassis, black currants and anise. Long finish. 93-94 pts.
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4/19/2024 - KSWinegeek wrote: 91 Points
Dark ruby red color. Lots of sediment in the decanter. Tobacco and cedar prominent on nose with blackberry secondarily.. Black cherry, blackberry, still some tannins.
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3/23/2024 - SoleModel23 Likes this wine:
I feel like this bottle is currently in that middle stage of not knowing what it wants to be.... Upon opening, Big Bold & in your face, after 2 hours of decant, very muted, with small hints of Bordeaux like characteristics coming from the back end.... I feel as if this bottle needs another 5 years minimum to take on that older Napa style I believe it's made to resemble, but I will not think about touching my other bottles for a MINIMUM of 8-10 years. This bottle was great, but definitely let me down in terms of immediate enjoyment, but at the same time is talking to me on how amazing it will be with some patience.
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3/9/2024 - rnjbond Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted and started drinking well right out of the bottle.
Evolved really nicely over two hours of air.
Notes of ripe dark cherry and earth, maybe mushroom.
Truly great wine, very delicious. Paired especially well with truffles.
94 points.
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10/13/2023 - ciesel Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent. Beautifl wine after a 4 hour decant. Cassis and berry fruit, long finish, great acid and tannins.
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7/4/2023 - KSWinegeek wrote: 93 Points
Once again a cork broke off on an older bottle of Montelena Estate. Ruby red in the glass. After three hours in the decanter, tobacco was the predominant nose. Blackberry flavors that persist on a lengthy finish. Good and approachable, but still tannins still present and has time.
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6/17/2023 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 96 Points
Quite a step up from a bottle drunk in 2021. concentrated fruit and secondary flavors. With grilled beef tenderloin. Give it 30 minutes of air. Drink or hold
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5/26/2023 - Tym4wine Likes this wine: 92 Points
Lovely floral aromas. Dark Burgundy in the glass. Flavors of dark fruit, blackberry and cassis. Integrated tannins with refreshing acidity. The wine is lively with a long finish. Wonderfully delicious.
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5/2/2023 - mflesh wrote:
Huh. Thought I had more of these but this apparently was my only one. Hmmm..... Well, this one after bottle decanting for 3 hours and then consumed over the next 2 hours, this wine is half awake. Unfortunately it means that it is also half asleep. The fruit is quite expressive without a doubt. This is quintessential Calistoga fruit right here in this glass. Blackberry, hint of truffle, toasted nuts, tar, pipe tobacco. Stiff oak tannin. Lots of it here but honestly the 1979 Monty Cab enjoyed two weeks prior was more integrated than this one was. Really insane how these wines are so structured, and this one without a doubt still has the dang scaffolding on the outside of the bottle! If you have these, you might want to pop one. But my suspicion is that you'll be pushing all the rest to the back of the cellar and coming back to them after 2030.
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3/27/2023 - enthusiastic_amateur Likes this wine: 91 Points
Needs more time, still a bit structured. Seems to be at an awkward stage in its life. Will let this vintage sit for 5-10 more years and come back to it then.
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12/2/2022 - Marius W Likes this wine: 94 Points
Dyp, mørk lilla opak farge med tendenser til brunt. Blåbær, bjørnebær, steinsopp, tre, jord og trøfler på nesen. Smak av mørke bær, tranebær, sjokolade, sopp og lakris. Fortsatt fin syre, delikate, smått modne tanniner, sitter lenge. Flott vin. Perfekt moden nå, men tåler sikkert flere år til i kjelleren.
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8/27/2022 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
4th Saturday Brown Bagger (EBCC): Blind. Garnet color. Aromas of currant and red plum with earthy undertones. Full-bodied, with plum and red berry fruit, herb, forest floor and spice flavors. Balanced, with a lingering finish. Wine of the flight for many.
It wasn't until the end of the flight that I began to wonder if this was our bottle of Montelena. This had been decanted for nearly three hours. 93-94 pts.
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6/17/2022 - gharter Likes this wine: 95 Points
A year since my last bottle. Compared to other years, almost no sediment. 2 hour decant and it opened nicely. Aromas of red and black fruits, cassis, earth, leather, spice, tobacco and oak. The black fruits and spice are upfront with red fruit, earth, leather, cherry, plum, tobacco, cassis, and a hint of herbal flavor. Great balance with a long smooth finish. The tannins have softened nicely. Showing some secondary character. In its drinking window with years/decades to go.
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4/30/2022 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
Anniversary dinner (Fiora’s, Geneva): Double decanted nearly four hours before dinner and I should have given it a full three or four hour decant. Still quite youthful in appearance with a deep core. Aromas of red and black currants, cedar and black cherry with a beguiling floral perfume overtone. Tannins have softened slightly but are finely knit and not obtrusive. Plum and black cabernet fruit with subtle spice and licorice notes on the back end. An elegant vintage, and beginning to drink well- should have a long life.
I am very happy to have many more bottles, including large format, to follow over the next couple of decades. 93+ for me, 94-95 pts for my lovely bride.
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3/13/2022 - Youngkicker wrote:
April 2022 - drew up a glass
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2/26/2022 - lovemycab Likes this wine: 92 Points
Solid, but not specular wine. Decanted and drink over several hours. Some nice earthy tertiary notes coming thru now. Will see how this continues to age.
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12/12/2021 - Martyl9 wrote: 93 Points
half bottle, needed about an hour for it come into it owns.
very nice glass of wine. dry with full fruit. should be good for another three years. drank with grilled rib steak.
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12/11/2021 - Nels+ Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very fruit-foward. Intense, complex and all abour balance nevertheless. Works with roasty dishes and sublime meaty dishes as well. Great wine, California Cab for the win!
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9/10/2021 - cab_fran Likes this wine: 94 Points
Long-aged purchase really delivered. The wine was silky smooth, feminine cab style really, but plenty of classic cabernet flavor. I'm glad we aged this one for so long -- drinking well for at least 3-5 more years.
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7/6/2021 - ciesel wrote: 93 Points
Drinking well, but no reason to rush the remaining bottles. Decanted for about 1 hour. Had with steak and mushrooms. Improved during the 1 1/2 hours we drank.
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6/19/2021 - Rieslingfan wrote:
From half bottle this is still quite young, but with a two hour decant it’s drinking very well. There’s plenty of fruit, and the structure can support another decade or two of cellaring. It’s rich, yet retains a classic style. Admittedly I am not incredibly excited about this, but it’s definitely a good wine, just doesn’t have a spark to make it memorable.
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6/18/2021 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very nice cab drank with grilled beef tenderloin. This wine was really good but not great as it should be for the price. Still a lot of acidity. Hopefully this will improve with more cellar time.
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5/29/2021 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted four hours and brought to a graduation party; commemorated year the high school graduates entered kindergarten. Dusty tannins dominated front-palate, offering a 20+2nd finish. Faint cherry fruit in the background.
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5/7/2021 - SeaSmoke wrote: 92 Points
Decanted for 90 minutes. Dark ruby red in color. Black cherry, cassis, licorice, plum, and dark chocolate on the nose, and palate. Tannins are mild with a medium finish. This is drinking nicely.
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5/5/2021 - gharter Likes this wine: 95 Points
2 hour decant. Beautiful nose with red and black fruits, cassis, earth, leather, spice, tobacco and oak on the nose. Flavors are similar with red and black fruits, spice, earth, leather, cherry, plum, tobacco, cassis, a hint of herbal. Great balance with a long smooth finish. The tannins have really softened. Showing some secondary character. In its drinking window with years/decades to go.
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3/10/2021 - Highlander65 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Aging really well. Classic Montelena estate Cabernet. Balanced, refined and not over the top. Fruit, spice, oak and tannins combine into great wine.
Blueberry, Currant, cinnamon, vanilla, leather, and soft, velvety tannins that coat the tongue and serve up a nice, medium-long finish. Wow! Have a worthy meal ready to pair with this beauty.
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12/25/2020 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 94 Points
4.4 Chateau Montelena vertical: While splitting hairs between two great wines, everyone agree this '08 was more elegant than '09, but not quite as good with the prime ribs.
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12/16/2020 - aaronfeigin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beautiful wine that is all about balance. Great flavor strawberry, mint, leather and a bit of chocolate. Great sweetness, smooth, round, lush tannins. This wine is probably right in the drinking window. I suspect it might get slightly better in the next few years, but it has the stuff to go another 15 years or so. Delicious.
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11/29/2020 - eagle4443 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Great wine with fantastic balance ! Tasted 08 and 13 back to back, they were both outstanding! 08 on the secondary and 13 still had a lot of fruits, can’t choose witch one was my favorite but definitly a great wine to age!
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10/18/2020 - jbaron wrote: 92 Points
Full and tasty. Saturated.
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7/21/2020 - spacewrangler wrote: 92 Points
Good not great Montelena. Still has years ahead of it, medium bodied with some tannic grip remaining but not overpowering.
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6/28/2020 - MattB72 wrote: 90 Points
Last of a half case drank over 8+ yrs. good. None of the bottles really ever lived up to the hype. 90-91 at best in my view
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6/3/2020 - gharter Likes this wine: 94 Points
Benefitted from a 2 hour decant. Beautiful nose with red and black fruits, cassis,earth, leather, spice, tobacco and oak on the nose. Flavors are similar with red and black fruits, spice, earth, leather, cherry, plum, tobacco, cassis flavors. Great balanced with a long smooth finish. The tannins have really softened. Showing some secondary character. A long life ahead, Just at the beginning of its drinking window, but showing really well.
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2/1/2020 - DZ56 Likes this wine: 90 Points
I felt as this was slipping from its prime.
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1/11/2020 - Grinner wrote: 93 Points
DAMN WiNOS (Rye Restaurant, Eugene): Not as good as my last bottle (but still great). Nice mix of red and black fruit with mint, oak and earth notes. Great structure. Coming after the Cab from Howell Mtn, made this seem brighter and less tannic than maybe it was.
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12/29/2019 - Tmorgan2885 wrote:
This held up very well over time. Drinks very much like a French Bordeaux. Lighter and earthy with a little sweetness. Not crazy for it but it’s aged a bit yet I appreciate the softness of it. I prefer a younger or just more fruit forward Cabernet. I’d probably just enjoy a younger vintage. I’ll have to compare my notes in the future
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12/18/2019 - Westplan Likes this wine: 85 Points
Still young
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11/24/2019 - Ceo wrote: 94 Points
Always great
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11/23/2019 - Grinner wrote: 95 Points
DenTinJaMa Part Two: California Sampler (Lyon Valley): My WOTN. 95+
3 hour decant then followed for 3 more. Little, if any, fall off overnight ungassed!
Cassis, black cherry, and black plum fruit flavors tinged with eucalyptus, earth/wet stone, and oak notes. Nice depth and balance. Still fairly sturdy and should go 10 years with little effort.
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11/14/2019 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 90 Points
A wine I had been wanting to try for some time but waited to get one with some age. Beautiful dark cherry nose. On the palate dark cherry was also prominent along with black fruit, dark chocolate and cloves. Very smooth and long finish. Too expensive.
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10/26/2019 - aaronwine Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted one hour. Great wine. Drinking well with decant but could go another decade.
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8/30/2019 - Mike V wrote: 93 Points
Classic Monte fine tannins up front right now. Lovely dark red fruit to follow. Good over the next ten years.
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8/6/2019 - ciesel Likes this wine: 92 Points
Drinking well. Very well made cabernet.
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8/4/2019 - joesiu wrote: 89 Points
Past its prime and fading...
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6/30/2019 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 94 Points
Decanted for 3.5 hours then followed over 90 minutes. Muted Bordeaux nose of saddle leather and cigar, with faint mature fruit. Mouth feel is very well-balanced, with a reasonable weight and fine-grained tannins; crushed stone, mature dark fruit.
This is a classic Monty, with the finesse and elegance that you expect from a top notch wine. In a very good place with sufficient air, no rush on this. Poppin poor timing may still be another 3 to 5 years out.
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6/17/2019 - larrybbaldwin Likes this wine: 92 Points
Beautiful wine that still has a little fruit/grapy character but is evolving into a beautiful wine. No sediment when decanted and it continued to blossom over the two hour meal. More elegant than dense with cherry and herbal notes. Should continue to improve although there are no rough edges now
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6/7/2019 - WizardNeedsFood wrote: 93 Points
Enjoyed at Ascend. Very nice even with PnP. Full body, dark cherries sing on a foundation of rich dark fruit, cassis, a bit of mint and oak. Long finish.
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5/19/2019 - Grinner wrote: 94 Points
Danny and Keana (The Lyon Hall): 2 hour decant and I like this more than 5 years ago! I did not realize until posting, that the last one I opened was also with a med student (7/14!). Tasting this with the '08 Montrose was a real nice demo of the differFRANCEs between Napa and Bordeaux. Nice mix of red and black fruit with mint, oak and earth notes. Great structure. MAYBE better on day 2! Drink 2020-2030!
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2/17/2019 - richshoes Likes this wine: 93 Points
usually disappointed in Montelena Estate because I open it too early and it's super undrinkable....have learned to wait as the older it is the better it gets! this one was pretty good, but not mind blowing...good sweet cherry fruit with some background of dark fruit....good layers but not as big and complex as I would have thought...probably just a tad young but ready to drink and will hit prime in next 2-3 years
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2/5/2019 - KSWinegeek wrote: 92 Points
Dark in color. Blackberry, tobacco on nose. Blackberry flavors. Approachable and good. I have enjoyed other botttles of this vintage more
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1/24/2019 - gharter Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still very young, just starting to enter in its drinking window. In general, I find Montelenas need at least 10 years to really show well. No browning at the edge, still purple. Red and black fruits, cassis,earth, leather, spice and oak on the nose. Flavors are similar with red and black fruits, spice, earth, leather, cherry, plum, cassis flavors. well balanced with a long smooth finish. Starting to show some secondary character. A long life ahead, decades.
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9/1/2018 - Twopawsup Likes this wine: 94 Points
Deep ruby color with slow legs. Red cassis, french oak, cedar and fruit on the nose. Dark sour cherry, plum and hints of chocolate on the palate. Long velvety finish. Lots of potential still left in this wine.
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8/10/2018 - ljl Likes this wine: 93 Points
Extremely dark. Cherry chocolates do cedar on the nose. Black cherry cassis. Still a little tight. Has more time to fully develop.
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8/10/2018 - europat55 wrote: 90 Points
Seems like this is starting to blossom.
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6/27/2018 - 2RXWINOS wrote: 94 Points
A little tight when first opened. Lots of fresh fruit and long finish. Great now but can cellar for a few more years.
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6/23/2018 - kdkimbell Likes this wine: 95 Points
Had the 2008 and the 2009 this weekend. The 2008 was surprisingly soft, developed and balanced. The 2009 was still tight. A fair bit of tannins, acid on the high side and secondary flavors mostly not coming through. We will continue to drink 2008 but give 2009 another couple of years of aging before we try again.
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5/19/2018 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 92 Points
Followed out of the bottle over 2.5 hrs, allowing it to breathe for 30 mins before starting. Crush rock, forest floor and dark berries on the nose, in a package that smells more like a Bordeaux than a traditional cab.
Tannins are very well integrated leaving a modestly dry mouth feel across the entire pallet and a medium-long finish of 20+ seconds. Mature fruit, faint cigar and leather notes. Drinking very well but no rush; would like to retry during CY19
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1/21/2018 - domco wrote:
10 years in and still drinking very well. Years ahead of it...
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11/3/2017 - rocknroller wrote: 93 Points
Napa/Sonoma Trip With Some Exceptional Gems; 11/1/2017-11/5/2017 (1800ft Up Cavedale Road, Glen Ellen, CA): Mini Vertical of '05-'08 at Chateau Montelena. Very dark red color. Drank 1 glass over 75 minutes. CS98, CF2, 22 mos 100% Fr Oak, 34% new. We started with this and went younger to older for this tasting. This turned out to be my favorite of the group and just about everyone's. Open knit nose with cedar, dark cherry, black licorice, clove and cassis, and vanillin. The palate is medium plus body with good depth and a mix of tart cherry, black cherry, cassis, cedar, and bright acids. Drinking very well now, this has good upside.
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10/27/2017 - malikguy Likes this wine: 96 Points
Love. Love. Love. This is a delectable gem that stands out over many cabs from Napa. It is a very elegant wine with a perfect balance between fruit and tannins. Unbelievably easy to drink and makes my woman's clothes come off... perhaps it will make your woman's clothes come off.
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10/22/2017 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 92 Points
While this '08 has youthful exuberance, it is very elegant. The blackberry and blueberry pie fruit is still predominant, but melds nicely into a black pepper and cedar mid-palate. The lengthy finish is silky and succulent. We think this wine needs another 5 years of cellar time then it will be signing.
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10/11/2017 - Burgundy Al wrote: 92 Points
Chateau Montelena Cabernet Estate Vertical (Plum Market - Chicago IL): Tasting, brief note. One my highlights of the vertical. Very good concentration and depth, while also nicely balanced. Complex finish. Still slightly firm, will benefit from more time in the cellar.
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10/8/2017 - Martin Redmond Likes this wine: 92 Points
Color - Garnet
Aromas - Cassis, lavender, violets, tobacco and a hint of mint
Body - Medium-bodied harmonious and fresh with sweet well integrated tannins.
Taste - Cassis, black cherry, vanilla, tobacco, and an appealing bit of minerality
Finish - Long
A gorgeous wine in a sweet spot now!
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10/7/2017 - Quiet Lion wrote: flawed
Possible heat damage? Jammy nose, flat, hot on the tongue.
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9/1/2017 - bin905 Likes this wine: 93 Points
A beautiful, elegant, balanced wine.
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8/29/2017 - xboomer wrote: 94 Points
Wow, I almost forgot what really great Cabernet Chateau Montelena makes. This 2008 was fabulous. At least 93 points.
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8/11/2017 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Violet and perfumed, on day two,
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7/18/2017 - luxvin wrote: 91 Points
Beef tenderloin. Great match!
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5/4/2017 - rossi.wine wrote: 91 Points
Tasted after the surprisingly grippy 2004. Generous fruit on the nose, liquorice, smoke, herbs, spices. Quite lively and bright on the palate, good fruit, lots of acidity, firm tannic grip. Decent length. 90-92
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4/30/2017 - Andrewbdc wrote: 92 Points
Deep garnet. Pronounced aromas of ripe cassis, plum, menthol, vanilla, smoke, hints of leather, tobacco, cedar. Developing. Dry palate, med (+) acidity, full body, med (+) alcohol (13.5%), high ripe but fine tannins, pronounced flavours - more dried and baked fruit, more developed on the palate, long finish. Outstanding quality. Can be drunk now but has the structure and concentration to develop further tertiary complexity.
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4/7/2017 - RayT wrote: 91 Points
Vertical tasting of the 05,06,07,08 estate wines at the winery. This finished second after the 2007. I would call these elegant wines and a bit light light for my tastes.
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1/27/2017 - bestdamncab Likes this wine: 91 Points
Tasted at the Chateau Montelena Store in the Westin St. Francis San Francisco today before the UGC 2014 Bordeaux Tasting, nose of black cherry, blackberry, touch of cigar and dust from a dirt road on a hot summer day, same on the palate, needs 3 more years to peak or 3 hour decant, slightly fruit forward, very tasty, medium/long finish.
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1/8/2017 - domco wrote:
Likely has years to go but definitely has entered its drinking window. Nice dark fruit, layered, balanced. Plenty of sediment so standing ahead of time isn't a bad idea.
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1/7/2017 - Dave D wrote: 91 Points
Need more time
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12/24/2016 - ciesel wrote: 92 Points
Still has plenty of time. Changed three or four times during the two plus hours we drank
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12/21/2016 - Meerlust wrote: 93 Points
Dark red/purple color. The nose was consistent with the 1991 and 1996, but it was more youthful with dark fruit, herbs, tobacco, and a light brett note. The palate displayed moderate plus intensity with blackberry and dark cherry intermingled with tobacco and brett. There is enough acidity and well-managed tannins to provide a youthful profile, but it was balanced with a rounded mouthfeel. Overall, it was clear that this was a Chateau Montelena wine because of the refined profile coupled with some bretty complexity.
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11/11/2016 - davidandrose Likes this wine: 92 Points
First bottle of my half-case, stored properly since release. After 75 mins in the decanter there are faint but rich port-like fruits on the nose, light spice, hint of tea. Wine has a modest grip on the stems. Tannins are well-resolved and provide a nice silky coating, though the wine's body overall comes across as medium-light in weight. Not sure that I can concur with the drinking window through '25 based on what I'm seeing this evening. Will retry over the holidays to gauge.
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6/11/2016 - brouigu1 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Solid wine from the Montelena Estate.
Opened with about an hour decant. Soft nose of black fruits, leather, pencil lead and green pepper.
Soft mouth feel, medium+ body, nice clarity and well balanced. I would have rated higher but tonight it appears thin on the mid-palate with a shorter finish than I would expect or have seen with other vintages.
Regardless, its a nice wine!
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5/24/2016 - slapsht007 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep ruby color. Drinking very easily. Great balance with acidity, tannins, fruit. Just the right amount of bite to let you know you are drinking something with body. Little bit of kitchen spice. Leather. Nice lasting finish. Plenty of life in it but very approachable now.
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3/10/2016 - Vinobay wrote: flawed
This was a huge disappointment. It was corked and not drinkable.
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1/24/2016 - AllRed wrote: 90 Points
Brief comments - melange of black & red fruit and pine forest notes. Red currant and vanilla flavors. Still very youthful and firm.
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1/24/2016 - Vino Me wrote: 93 Points
Opened by Allred. Decanted about 4 hours before dinner. Tried when first opened and it showed smokey notes. Really smoothed out after 4 hours. Notes of black fruit, pine and herbs. Firm tannins but not overtly in your face. Silky mouthfeel. Hold. 92-93 points.
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12/1/2015 - beej Likes this wine:
Dead on the nose. Tight, closed, and taste of tar on initial palate. So cool when the fruit creeped in over the course of an hour. Should have opened and left it for a day or two.
Gonna be a great wine in a few years.
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10/22/2015 - slapsht007 Likes this wine: 92 Points
2 of 6. Six months after number 1. Decanted little more than 1 hour before pouring.
First taste had hints of strawberry and some currant. Earthier tones emerged sitting in the glass. Still rather muscular (it is a Napa Cab after all) but very easy to drink at the same time. Well balanced.
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9/5/2015 - MattB72 wrote: 90 Points
first night this was like drinking a cherry cola. Gained some weight as the night went on, but still seems a bit disjointed. Second night, it was much better integrated. Good wine (the second night). Will wait another year and see if it comes together.
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7/4/2015 - Ric2491 Likes this wine: 96 Points
Another excellent cab
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5/28/2015 - Slammin Sammie wrote: 95 Points
truly outstanding CA wine
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4/29/2015 - KSWinegeek wrote: 94 Points
From Montelena Estate Cab vertical tasting. Darker in color. Tight nose revealing earth, cedar and cherry notes. Great mouthfeel, wonderful red and black fruit. Moderate tannins. Smooth, graceful and long now, bound to be stunning in a few years and should last for 20 years. Beautiful wine. Best of the five earlier vintages.
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4/5/2015 - slapsht007 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Still young, but drinkable. Lots of tannins. Chewy. Black cherry and currant. Not too much acidity. Nice finish. 1st of my half dozen.
Decanted an hour before first glass. Drank with nice rack of lamb which was nice combination.
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3/15/2015 - BinVA wrote: 89 Points
Compared to the 06 and 07 that we opened following the 08, this didn't come close. Muted nose, not much going on in the bottle. Not bad, just not much there comparatively speaking.
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1/4/2015 - KAP wrote: 92 Points
Smooth but light.
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10/12/2014 - KCBrian Does not like this wine: 88 Points
This was the last of a mostly cab dinner party. PnP and maybe that was the problem because I did not enjoy this wine. Thought it was astringent with no fruit to speak of. Drank about half and put in a stopper. Will try again tomorrow to see if is has opened up.
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7/27/2014 - Grinner wrote: 93 Points
Dinner with MS3: Nick and Lauren (The Lyon's Tree House): This was in a very sweet spot after a 3 hour decant. Cassis, blackberry, black plum tinged with mint, oak, and earth notes. Nice depth and balance. Still fairly sturdy and should go 5-7 years with little effort.
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7/10/2014 - ciesel wrote: 94 Points
Had to long ago to recall specifics. But remember thinking was an awesome wine, that continued to get better and evolve hours after being decanted. Much more European in style which to us was a good thing.
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7/10/2014 - ciesel wrote: 94 Points
Had to long ago to recall specifics. But remember thinking was an awesome wine, that continued to get better and evolve hours after being decanted.
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2/25/2014 - cab blends Does not like this wine: 90 Points
My least favorite of the night. Clear minerality and lighter than the Caymus with little fruit on the nose or palate. Lighter tannins 6/10 and more French like than a Napa fruit bomb.
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12/9/2013 - drogers wrote: 86 Points
tired and ordinary. Not a special bottle in the least
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11/8/2013 - mwneil wrote: 85 Points
Tasted wine at the WL. Did not like it. No fruit. Compared to the 2010 Mondavi reserve it was different. Would not drink a bottle.
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10/27/2013 - rhanke wrote: 92 Points
great
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10/13/2013 - VintageSully wrote: 93 Points
A gorgeous, Bordeaux-like Napa cab that is drinking beautifully, despite its young age. Decanted for 2 hours and the flavors exploded out of the glass. Dark fruit, vanilla-cream, and pleasing notes of earth and smoke balance harmoniously in this medium to full bodied gem. Yum.
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10/5/2013 - jdb123 wrote: 93 Points
Drinking beautifully right now. Popped and poured over a few hours. Very glad I have more of these!
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9/7/2013 - rhanke wrote:
great
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7/2/2013 - rhanke wrote: 93 Points
great
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5/3/2013 - goblu6 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Popped and let stand in the bottle for an hour. This bottle was fabulous. Very smooth and well structured with a nice long finish that remained balanced. Nice Cab flavors went well with grilled sirloin and a bleu cheese corn salad.
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4/1/2013 - Paul_Stagg Likes this wine: 97 Points
Stunning. Still young, but wonderful structure, fruit, and creaminess. A very nice juxtaposition of California Cab and Bordeaux, it has the American bluster at first, but settles down with a great deal of refinement, much like an AMG can smoke the tires but still be a great grand touring car.
Delicious.
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3/23/2013 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
4th Saturday group "uptown" tasting (Rich & Dana's): Notes of dill, cherries and red currants with floral undertones. On the full side of medium-bodied, with flavors of red fruit and florals, cherry and vanilla. FInishes well. A lighter, more elegant wine that may have suffered a bit in this lineup by comparison. Still a very nice CA cab. 93+ pts. Was not surprised to see this unveiled as the Montelena.
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1/30/2013 - Pinhi wrote: 94 Points
Home alone w/DeCicco's ribeye steak on eve before Orlando golf trip
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1/25/2013 - jeffm_fla wrote:
Disappointing, maybe spoiled, corky, sour, stewed
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12/1/2012 - affordableCollector Likes this wine: 89 Points
clear maroon in color. black currant, cherry, mineral, pepper on the nose. black currant, oak, mineral on the palate. high acid, big tannins on the finish.
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10/20/2012 - bhashe wrote: 92 Points
Deanted for about 3 hours. Bautiful dark colors. Lots of fruit and balanced tannins. Will only get better with some age but a wonderful drink now.
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9/27/2012 - smcilhen wrote:
Best of the Best Tasting (Binny's Lincoln Park): Extremely bright, red fruit which overshadowed a lot of the other aspects of this wine. Revisit in 5 years. Great nose.
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9/18/2012 - yofog wrote: 92 Points
Not letting 08 get it down to much, this is a very serious wine, pretty closed down for the moment, and made in a focused, vin de garde style.
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9/13/2012 - Redguy wrote: 93 Points
Slow oxed for 1 hr then consumed with a grilled ribeye on a camping trip. Shows great promise. Obviously super young, and tastes like it with its grippy, moderately toasted oak nature and slightly rough mouthfeel. Med+ body, somewhat restrained and unsettled presently but shows excellent depth and potential class and elegance, once it matures a bit. A welcome tart edge to the fruit that I like. Good length and acidity, and really nice minerality. Lacks the refinement that will come with age. Love the style though. 93 today but this needs cellar time, say 5+ years.
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9/11/2012 - SammyK Likes this wine: 96 Points
Wonderful and delightful. One of my favorites. The 2008 vintage was a bit early to uncork. But found it enjoyable nonetheless.
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6/26/2012 - marlons34 wrote: 94 Points
Good nose, oak, delightful, tasty, great fruit and smooth finish. Definitely has that wow factor! Will only get better with age.
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5/2/2012 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
Binny's welcomes Bo Barrett (Binny's, Linclon Park): Crimson color. Black currant, cherry, herb and mineral notes. Full-bodied, firm tannins. Flavors of cherry, cassis, black currants and anise. Long finish. 93-94 pts.
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