Chateau Montelena
The Montelena Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Dark scarlet color. Opaque. Nice aged cab nose. Notes of black cherry, plum, leather saddle, herbs, sweet balsamic vinegar and cigar box. Rich and powerful in the mouth. Needed all of its 5 hours of decant time to open up. Very nice but just a slight step below the 90 Cos next to it.
Dark scarlet color. Opaque. Nice aged cab nose. Notes of black cherry, plum, leather saddle, herbs, sweet balsamic vinegar and cigar box. Rich and powerful in the mouth. Needed all of its 5 hours of decant time to open up. Very nice but just a slight step below the 90 Cos next to it.
Feb 4th, 2022Outstanding Napa cabernet from Calistoga. This was enjoyed in magnum with Tri Tip Steak. It is hard to believe this wine is approaching 28 years of age. There are still good amounts of fruit and tannin. Very well balanced and a perfect pairing with Tri Tip. Decanted for 1 hour. Just a mind blowing wine. Could hold for a little longer but I don’t see how it could get better than this. Enjoyable now but no immediate rush.
Outstanding Napa cabernet from Calistoga. This was enjoyed in magnum with Tri Tip Steak. It is hard to believe this wine is approaching 28 years of age. There are still good amounts of fruit and tannin. Very well balanced and a perfect pairing with Tri Tip. Decanted for 1 hour. Just a mind blowing wine. Could hold for a little longer but I don’t see how it could get better than this. Enjoyable now but no immediate rush.
Sep 23rd, 2019
En mag and my last bottle of a wine that is so very near and dear to my heart. Both from a human and wine lover’s perspective. Still ample delicious fruit combined with tannic back bone. Structure, balance, pucker, polish; everything I love in an aged Montelena. Fortunate to share it with an extraordinary crew @Eric LaMasters @David L @Joe Lucca @Mike R @Shawn R @Aaron Hamrock
En mag and my last bottle of a wine that is so very near and dear to my heart. Both from a human and wine lover’s perspective. Still ample delicious fruit combined with tannic back bone. Structure, balance, pucker, polish; everything I love in an aged Montelena. Fortunate to share it with an extraordinary crew @Eric LaMasters @David L @Joe Lucca @Mike R @Shawn R @Aaron Hamrock
May 18th, 2019The ‘91 Montelena has a very special place in my heart, as many of you may know from the post I made here a few years back about my Mom. That emotional component aside, this is just an extraordinary example of classic Cabernet. A deep core of warm dark fruit, a silky smooth mouthfeel and a lingering, elegant finish of impressive length. Such a special thought provoking wine.
The ‘91 Montelena has a very special place in my heart, as many of you may know from the post I made here a few years back about my Mom. That emotional component aside, this is just an extraordinary example of classic Cabernet. A deep core of warm dark fruit, a silky smooth mouthfeel and a lingering, elegant finish of impressive length. Such a special thought provoking wine.
Dec 16th, 2018Still purple, dark and opaque. Intense, fruit forward nose. Notes of black currant, earth, leather and a little bell pepper. Fruit and softened tannins in a nice balance. Long finish. In a nice place, not sure this will get much better from here.
Still purple, dark and opaque. Intense, fruit forward nose. Notes of black currant, earth, leather and a little bell pepper. Fruit and softened tannins in a nice balance. Long finish. In a nice place, not sure this will get much better from here.
Mar 24th, 2018Murky brownish red. Amazing nose. Notes of cedar wood box, tobacco leaf, saddle leather and dark fruit. In the mouth mocha and coffee comes on with a nice sweetness. Great finish. This is everything you want in an aged cab. At peak.
Murky brownish red. Amazing nose. Notes of cedar wood box, tobacco leaf, saddle leather and dark fruit. In the mouth mocha and coffee comes on with a nice sweetness. Great finish. This is everything you want in an aged cab. At peak.
Dec 14th, 2017
Just a terrific Montelena Cabernet, complex, great acid, great balance, long finish, absolutely rocking tonight!!
Just a terrific Montelena Cabernet, complex, great acid, great balance, long finish, absolutely rocking tonight!!
1 person found it helpfulApr 22nd, 2022
Great vintage. Lots of life left.
Great vintage. Lots of life left.
1 person found it helpfulFeb 6th, 2020Almost Bordeaux but the sweet fruit mid palate brings it back to California. Showing really well.
Almost Bordeaux but the sweet fruit mid palate brings it back to California. Showing really well.
Mar 22nd, 2017Super dark purple color, very primary dark fruits, rich, good balance, (ripe) tannins are there, but drinks like a 10-year-old Cal Cabernet, absolutely fabulous!!!
Super dark purple color, very primary dark fruits, rich, good balance, (ripe) tannins are there, but drinks like a 10-year-old Cal Cabernet, absolutely fabulous!!!
Jul 1st, 2022