Chateau Montelena
The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.
A treat to try this next to the ‘88, and also against a mini-flight of Leoville Barton. This ‘14 was shockingly odd…unbelievably high toned, sharp, and bing cherry driven aromatically. It actually has this weird cherry reduction profile but also a malic/butter note that needs time to blow off. Crème de cassis and red licorice on the palate with a small amount of graphite. A lot of Calistoga cabs for me show the warmth of the region and this evidently is in that vein, but it’s very Montelena-esque at the end of the day. I’d hold another 5-7yrs.
Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.
A treat to try this next to the ‘88, and also against a mini-flight of Leoville Barton. This ‘14 was shockingly odd…unbelievably high toned, sharp, and bing cherry driven aromatically. It actually has this weird cherry reduction profile but also a malic/butter note that needs time to blow off. Crème de cassis and red licorice on the palate with a small amount of graphite. A lot of Calistoga cabs for me show the warmth of the region and this evidently is in that vein, but it’s very Montelena-esque at the end of the day. I’d hold another 5-7yrs.
Brilliant!
Napa fruit nose with old world style:)
Many years of life left,
Drinking beautifully now.
Brilliant!
Napa fruit nose with old world style:)
Many years of life left,
Drinking beautifully now.
A lush red cherry flavor with tobacco, minerality and a lingering mid pallet aftertaste. A really fine wine with years left to the peak.🍷🍷🍷🍷
A lush red cherry flavor with tobacco, minerality and a lingering mid pallet aftertaste. A really fine wine with years left to the peak.🍷🍷🍷🍷
Apr 4th, 2020Exceptional with 20 years too improve! Lush red fruit, hints of flint and tobacco. I have a case and probably won’t disturb again for 5 years. 🍷🍷🍷🍷
Exceptional with 20 years too improve! Lush red fruit, hints of flint and tobacco. I have a case and probably won’t disturb again for 5 years. 🍷🍷🍷🍷
Oct 26th, 2019A young bold masterpiece of winemaking excellence. Years to its peak. Lush fruit, solid tannins great nose and a long lingering aftertaste. 🍷🍷🍷
A young bold masterpiece of winemaking excellence. Years to its peak. Lush fruit, solid tannins great nose and a long lingering aftertaste. 🍷🍷🍷
Jul 23rd, 2019
Needs a solid decant. Older school cab, really enjoyable, finishes nicely
Needs a solid decant. Older school cab, really enjoyable, finishes nicely
Jun 14th, 2019
Very elegant and smooth. but needs some time in the cellar
Very elegant and smooth. but needs some time in the cellar
Feb 12th, 2019
Drank this head to head with a Caymus 2015 and it was the clear winner. Still very young, but not as intense and strong of a wine as I remember past Montalena Cabs.
Drank this head to head with a Caymus 2015 and it was the clear winner. Still very young, but not as intense and strong of a wine as I remember past Montalena Cabs.
Dec 30th, 2018
This wine has a wonderful nose. Dark cherry, tobacco and a touch of chocolate were the highlights. The first sip after opening was great. Allowed to sit for a little over an hour and we were rewarded with a luscious glass of wine. The blackberries to me were the most prevalent but there are subtle red fruits as well. Finished lingered with a touch of Graphite and wet cedar. This was a lovely bottle of wine.
This wine has a wonderful nose. Dark cherry, tobacco and a touch of chocolate were the highlights. The first sip after opening was great. Allowed to sit for a little over an hour and we were rewarded with a luscious glass of wine. The blackberries to me were the most prevalent but there are subtle red fruits as well. Finished lingered with a touch of Graphite and wet cedar. This was a lovely bottle of wine.
Dec 2nd, 2018