Chateau Montelena
The Montelena Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Napa Valley, California, USA
Monthly WTF group recap. Theme this month was “bring something special”. Normally we taste all of the wines blind, but we decided to do a relaxed night with amazing wines at a great restaurant. Spectacular evening!
Had the ‘92 not been alongside it, this may have stolen the show, but it seems to be much more tightly wound. Mainly strutting notes of red plum, cherry tart and rhubarb on the nose. Slightly St Estephe like on the palate currently with cherry swisher sweets, blackberries drizzled over bayleaf and herbs. Quite tannic. Hold or decant for a few hours if enjoying now. Thanks @Bill Makens .
Monthly WTF group recap. Theme this month was “bring something special”. Normally we taste all of the wines blind, but we decided to do a relaxed night with amazing wines at a great restaurant. Spectacular evening!
Had the ‘92 not been alongside it, this may have stolen the show, but it seems to be much more tightly wound. Mainly strutting notes of red plum, cherry tart and rhubarb on the nose. Slightly St Estephe like on the palate currently with cherry swisher sweets, blackberries drizzled over bayleaf and herbs. Quite tannic. Hold or decant for a few hours if enjoying now. Thanks @Bill Makens .
1998 vintage. Been waiting to taste this one again for over two decades. 1998 wasn't the best Napa Cab vintage. The best 98's were generally mountain fruit-like the Dunn Howell Mountain. When this was released back in the day, it was brawny, taut and tannic but still maintained balance. This Montelena 1998 Estate Cab was better than nearly everyone's 1997 (an acclaimed/excellent across the board) Napa cabs back then. FF 23 years later...surprise! Some things haven't changed. Decanted and tasted after 10 mins, 30 mins and 2 hrs. Excellent fill and cork. Throwing respectable sed. Massive color. Great aged, leathery nose. Still medium heavy bod. Baking chocolate, ripe plum and grilled beef in the flavor profile. Consistent performer through the entry, mid and back palate hoops without drop-off during the ceremony. Tannins still evident but well-integrated with the abundance of fruit. Not improving but this is rock steady and in a very sweet spot/top of the bell curve for at least another decade. It was worth the wait. 6.29.24.
1998 vintage. Been waiting to taste this one again for over two decades. 1998 wasn't the best Napa Cab vintage. The best 98's were generally mountain fruit-like the Dunn Howell Mountain. When this was released back in the day, it was brawny, taut and tannic but still maintained balance. This Montelena 1998 Estate Cab was better than nearly everyone's 1997 (an acclaimed/excellent across the board) Napa cabs back then. FF 23 years later...surprise! Some things haven't changed. Decanted and tasted after 10 mins, 30 mins and 2 hrs. Excellent fill and cork. Throwing respectable sed. Massive color. Great aged, leathery nose. Still medium heavy bod. Baking chocolate, ripe plum and grilled beef in the flavor profile. Consistent performer through the entry, mid and back palate hoops without drop-off during the ceremony. Tannins still evident but well-integrated with the abundance of fruit. Not improving but this is rock steady and in a very sweet spot/top of the bell curve for at least another decade. It was worth the wait. 6.29.24.
Jun 30th, 2024
Ronnie had this 4 years ago
Ronnie had this 4 years ago
Nov 17th, 2020
jesus had this 6 years ago
jesus had this 6 years ago
Dec 21st, 2018
