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

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Group wines by:

• Wine Name
• Variety
• Vineyard
• Vintage

wine type	Name, Type, Locale	Year
Rosé	Chateau Montelena Rosé (View Label Image) Rosé, USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga	2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2005 1997
White	Chateau Montelena Albariño White, USA, California, Central Valley, San Joaquin County	2015
White	Chateau Montelena Albariño Jade Lake Series #4 Phoenix (View Label Image) White, USA, California, Central Valley, San Joaquin County	2015
White	Chateau Montelena Chardonnay (View Label Image) White, USA, California, Napa Valley	2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 1972 NV
White	Chateau Montelena Chardonnay (View Label Image) White, USA, California, Sonoma County, Alexander Valley	1996 1991 1987 1985 1984 1982
White	Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 20th Anniversary (View Label Image) White, USA, California, Napa Valley	1992
White	Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 50th Anniversary Napa & Alexander Valleys (View Label Image) White, USA, California, North Coast	2020
White	Chateau Montelena Chardonnay John Muir Hanna Vineyard (View Label Image) White, USA, California, Napa Valley	2016 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2008 2007
White	Chateau Montelena Chardonnay Paris Tasting Anniversary bottling (View Label Image) White, USA, California, Napa Valley	1993
White	Chateau Montelena Gewürztraminer White, USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga	2010
White	Chateau Montelena Johannisberg Riesling (View Label Image) White, USA, California, North Coast	1990 1983 1982 1977
White	Chateau Montelena Johannisberg Riesling Estate (View Label Image) White, USA, California, Napa Valley	1987 1986 1984 1983 1981
White	Chateau Montelena Riesling White, USA, California, Napa Valley	1987 1986
White	Chateau Montelena Riesling (View Label Image) White, USA, California, North Coast, Potter Valley	2023 2022 2021 2019 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1984 1983 1982 1976 1972
White	Chateau Montelena Sauvignon Blanc (View Label Image) White, USA, California, Napa Valley	2023 2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 1999 1997 1994 1992 1984
White	Chateau Montelena Sémillon Jade Lake Series (View Label Image) White, USA, California, Napa Valley	2014 2012
White	Chateau Montelena Sémillon Jade Lake Series #2 Long Dragon (View Label Image) White, USA, California, Napa Valley, Yountville	2014
White - Off-dry	Chateau Montelena Riesling Auslese White - Off-dry, USA, California, Napa Valley	1972
Red	Chateau Montelena Cabernet Franc (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, Napa Valley	2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 1999 1997 1996 1995 1994 1992 1991 1990 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981
Red	Chateau Montelena Cabernet Franc (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga	2013 2011 2009 2003
Red	Chateau Montelena Cabernet Franc Premiere Napa Valley (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, Napa Valley	2002
Red	Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, Napa Valley	2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991
Red	Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon North Coast (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, North Coast	1976 1975
Red	Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Premiere Napa Valley Montelena Estate G Block Old Vine Finale (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, Napa Valley	2008
Red	Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma County (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, Sonoma County	1979 1978 1977 1974 1973
Red	Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga	2021 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1974 1973 NV
Red	Chateau Montelena Charbono Jade Lake Series #3 (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga	2013
Red	Chateau Montelena Davella's BFD Red, USA, California, Napa Valley	2016 2014
Red	Chateau Montelena Malbec Jade Lake Series (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga	2014 2012
Red	Chateau Montelena Merlot (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, Napa Valley	2018 2007 2006 2002 1997 1995
Red	Chateau Montelena Petite Sirah (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, Napa Valley	2018 2017 2016 2013 2012 2010 2009 2007 2006 2005 2002 2001 2000 1991
Red	Chateau Montelena Tempranillo Jade Lake Series (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, Napa Valley	2014 2012
Red	Chateau Montelena The Senator, Inspired Departure (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga	2010 2008
Red	Chateau Montelena Zinfandel (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga	2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1997 1996 1995 1994 1993 1992 1991 1990 1989 1988 1987 1986 1985 1984 1983 1982 1981 1980 1979 1978 1977 1976 1975 1974 1973 NV
Red	Chateau Montelena Zinfandel (Non Estate) (View Label Image) Red, USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga	2005
Red	Chateau Montelena Zinfandel Napa & Alexander Valleys California Red, USA, California	1974
Red	Chateau Montelena Zinfandel Reserve John Rolleri Vineyard Red, USA, California, Napa Valley	1984
White - Sweet/Dessert	Chateau Montelena Late Harvest Riesling (View Label Image) White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, North Coast, Potter Valley	2004 2002 1997 1986 1976 1974
White - Sweet/Dessert	Chateau Montelena Late Harvest Viognier White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley	1997
White - Sweet/Dessert	Chateau Montelena Sauvignon Blanc Jade Lake Series #6 Supreme Dragon (View Label Image) White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley	2014
White - Sweet/Dessert	Chateau Montelena Sauvignon Blanc Late Harvest (View Label Image) White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga	2014 2012 2009 2005
White - Sweet/Dessert	Chateau Montelena Sauvignon Blanc Late Harvest Jade Lake Series (View Label Image) White - Sweet/Dessert, USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga	2014
Red - Fortified	Chateau Montelena Twenty Year Ruby Red Wine (View Label Image) Red - Fortified, USA, California, Napa Valley, Calistoga	NV