Chateau Montelena
Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
Clean and light on the pallet but funky on the nose. Good juice.
Clean and light on the pallet but funky on the nose. Good juice.
Dec 14th, 2017This 2010 Cabernet far exceeded my expectations for a larger production wine. The black fruits, baking spices, and mocha/chocolate flavors are welcoming and persistent throughout the palate, yet the wine finishes with bright, red fruit acidity. I wish I'd purchased more upon release.
This 2010 Cabernet far exceeded my expectations for a larger production wine. The black fruits, baking spices, and mocha/chocolate flavors are welcoming and persistent throughout the palate, yet the wine finishes with bright, red fruit acidity. I wish I'd purchased more upon release.
Jun 1st, 20159/2023. Smooth cab with full flavor. Paired well with my boneless short ribs.
9/2023. Smooth cab with full flavor. Paired well with my boneless short ribs.
Sep 25th, 2023You really can't give this one a very true rating right now. This bottle still has a lot of red fruited baby fat. After about 3 hours of air, it started to settle into more of a black cherry with hints of blackberry kind of a wine. But it definitely was not like that sooner. It is amazing how 15 years seems to be the dividing line and the characteristics change so much. It took a little coaxing. This one has a fair amount of herb influence. Also has some menthol or eucalyptus. Not sure that was there when I tried one of these even earlier. Overall, I make no apologies for opening this one now. It is still a very good wine. But when you know how these drink at 15 to 20 years, you know that it will continue to develop and change so much. Still a lot of stiff oak astringency at the moment.
You really can't give this one a very true rating right now. This bottle still has a lot of red fruited baby fat. After about 3 hours of air, it started to settle into more of a black cherry with hints of blackberry kind of a wine. But it definitely was not like that sooner. It is amazing how 15 years seems to be the dividing line and the characteristics change so much. It took a little coaxing. This one has a fair amount of herb influence. Also has some menthol or eucalyptus. Not sure that was there when I tried one of these even earlier. Overall, I make no apologies for opening this one now. It is still a very good wine. But when you know how these drink at 15 to 20 years, you know that it will continue to develop and change so much. Still a lot of stiff oak astringency at the moment.
Sep 5th, 2020
Brought this wine to a beach week. We purchased this wine during a 2012 visit to Napa. Really wish I had brought a decanter and/or aerator. Deep dense plum in color. Aromas of blackberry, dark fruit, leather, and tobacco. Definitely easy to identify as a Cabernet from Napa. Very enjoyable with a lingering finish. Chewy tannins.
Brought this wine to a beach week. We purchased this wine during a 2012 visit to Napa. Really wish I had brought a decanter and/or aerator. Deep dense plum in color. Aromas of blackberry, dark fruit, leather, and tobacco. Definitely easy to identify as a Cabernet from Napa. Very enjoyable with a lingering finish. Chewy tannins.
Sep 19th, 2018Wow having Easter Dinner with friends and decided to open this 2010 Cabernet... amazing and mature. This wine has complexity and full of flavor. Excellent with food. Silky texture coating my mouth and I feel my tastebuds have opened to be super sensitive to subtle flavors... excellent with a buttery prime rib meal and equally with rich chocolate lava cake.
Wow having Easter Dinner with friends and decided to open this 2010 Cabernet... amazing and mature. This wine has complexity and full of flavor. Excellent with food. Silky texture coating my mouth and I feel my tastebuds have opened to be super sensitive to subtle flavors... excellent with a buttery prime rib meal and equally with rich chocolate lava cake.
Apr 1st, 2018
