Chateau Montelena

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.314 ratings
9.04 pro ratings
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
Cabernet Sauvignon
Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Pasta, Venison, Tomato-Based, Potato, Pork, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Mushrooms, Beef, Lamb, Chili & Hot Spicy
Top Notes For
Shay A
9.5

Today was my first time to host Wednesday Wine Committee. I’ve had the good fortune of attending on and off over the last two years and was delighted to finally host a lunch. As many of the wines I brought today I’ve posted on here before, I’m posting the white wine of the day and the red wine of the day. As always, the format of 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine was in play and everything was tasted blind.

As my 30th birthday approaches next week, I wanted to bring a bottle of something special, so I decided on a birth year wine as a small early birthday celebration. Absolutely shocked at the color...was as dark as an ‘07 Farella that was next to it! Acidity, fruit and finish were all insane for the age. Barnyard funk blew off easily and revealed bing cherry, dates, currant and a killer herbal acidic finish. Tannins are still providing nice structure here. ‘88 wasn’t a great Napa vintage, but this just goes to show you how quality producers churn out age worthy wines regardless of vintage. A real treat. Credit to
@Mark Flesher for helping me get this!

Today was my first time to host Wednesday Wine Committee. I’ve had the good fortune of attending on and off over the last two years and was delighted to finally host a lunch. As many of the wines I brought today I’ve posted on here before, I’m posting the white wine of the day and the red wine of the day. As always, the format of 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds and 1 dessert wine was in play and everything was tasted blind.

As my 30th birthday approaches next week, I wanted to bring a bottle of something special, so I decided on a birth year wine as a small early birthday celebration. Absolutely shocked at the color...was as dark as an ‘07 Farella that was next to it! Acidity, fruit and finish were all insane for the age. Barnyard funk blew off easily and revealed bing cherry, dates, currant and a killer herbal acidic finish. Tannins are still providing nice structure here. ‘88 wasn’t a great Napa vintage, but this just goes to show you how quality producers churn out age worthy wines regardless of vintage. A real treat. Credit to
@Mark Flesher for helping me get this!

Apr 4th, 2018
Remi Barrett

88 Cm for Chelsea birthday! Tasting pretty good!

88 Cm for Chelsea birthday! Tasting pretty good!

Apr 9th, 2014
B. Young

1988 magnum

1988 magnum

Jan 16th, 2015
Andrew Wesson

Andrew had this 7 years ago

Andrew had this 7 years ago

Jan 12th, 2018
Bob Bath

Master Sommelier & Educator CIA Greystone

9.0

Bob had this 8 years ago

Bob had this 8 years ago

Oct 14th, 2016
Michael Sciortino

Delicious!!!!

Delicious!!!!

Aug 28th, 2013
Dakin Sloss

Dakin had this 7 years ago

Dakin had this 7 years ago

Jul 15th, 2018
Russ W
9.4

Russ had this 7 years ago

Russ had this 7 years ago

Aug 26th, 2017
David Cieslak

David had this 9 years ago

David had this 9 years ago

Apr 23rd, 2016
Danielle Ford

Danielle had this 10 years ago

Danielle had this 10 years ago

Aug 11th, 2015