Chateau Montelena
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
In the glass, it’s a deep, opaque ruby, promising something serious. The nose has blackcurrant, cedar, and graphite, with a hint of dried herbs, dust and cigar box, like stepping into an old library. There’s restraint here, almost old school. No overripe fruit, no excess; just balance, precision.
On the palate, it’s all about structure. The tannins are firm but refined, holding together layers of dark fruit, espresso, and a touch of cocoa. The acidity is just enough to keep it fresh, cutting through the richness of it all. As the wine opens up, there’s a shift; an earthy, almost savory depth that lingers on a long, seamless finish. Could have saved it but it is peaking and paired perfectly with a thick cut of ribeyes over mesquite charcoal with great company and conversation.
In the glass, it’s a deep, opaque ruby, promising something serious. The nose has blackcurrant, cedar, and graphite, with a hint of dried herbs, dust and cigar box, like stepping into an old library. There’s restraint here, almost old school. No overripe fruit, no excess; just balance, precision.
On the palate, it’s all about structure. The tannins are firm but refined, holding together layers of dark fruit, espresso, and a touch of cocoa. The acidity is just enough to keep it fresh, cutting through the richness of it all. As the wine opens up, there’s a shift; an earthy, almost savory depth that lingers on a long, seamless finish. Could have saved it but it is peaking and paired perfectly with a thick cut of ribeyes over mesquite charcoal with great company and conversation.
Winding down Wednesday with a lovely, medium ruby, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, presenting ripe blackberry, black cherry, black currant, plum, fig, violet, and licorice primary aromas, and a bouquet of vanilla, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, and cedar secondary aromas, striking balance on the palate with well-integrated flavor notes consistent with the nose.
This wine is dry and nicely structured with medium(+) acidity, full body, high alcohol, and grippy tannins and the fruit is supple and beautifully concentrated. It has a long, elegant finish.
Winding down Wednesday with a lovely, medium ruby, Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, presenting ripe blackberry, black cherry, black currant, plum, fig, violet, and licorice primary aromas, and a bouquet of vanilla, clove, nutmeg, cardamom, and cedar secondary aromas, striking balance on the palate with well-integrated flavor notes consistent with the nose.
This wine is dry and nicely structured with medium(+) acidity, full body, high alcohol, and grippy tannins and the fruit is supple and beautifully concentrated. It has a long, elegant finish.
First week of class very rich... drank very slowly with Sissela
First week of class very rich... drank very slowly with Sissela
Mar 13th, 2020
Drive by tasting at SFO. Cloying nose. Palate was better.
Drive by tasting at SFO. Cloying nose. Palate was better.
Mar 1st, 2020
Somewhat dry. Not full bodies. Flinty with a bit of acid. 84 for this 2016 $ 55 wine
Somewhat dry. Not full bodies. Flinty with a bit of acid. 84 for this 2016 $ 55 wine
Feb 21st, 2020
Deep and dark fruit -blackberries, plums, figs. Touch of chocolate in a splash of acidic tannins in the finish.
Deep and dark fruit -blackberries, plums, figs. Touch of chocolate in a splash of acidic tannins in the finish.
Jan 25th, 2020
Shima-san for Fracta gave me on October 15.
Shima-san for Fracta gave me on October 15.
Oct 19th, 2019