Chateau Montelena

The Montelena Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.426 ratings
9.45 pro ratings
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
Jay Eagan

Great Cabernet with with blue fruit and spice box it aged beautifully

Great Cabernet with with blue fruit and spice box it aged beautifully

Apr 16th, 2022
Jay Eagan

The nose is dark fruit and a barrel room!

The nose is dark fruit and a barrel room!

Feb 5th, 2020
Shay A
9.3

From a split and for my tastes, drinking at peak. In fact, this surprised me so much that I had to turn around and check the bottle when someone said it was an ‘02. Muddled raspberries, bing cherries, plum, baking spices and tobacco leaves on the nose. Balanced with wonderful structure. Not powerful or weak. Small amount of black fruit on the palate, but mainly dominated by bright red fruits. Some added notes of herbs and cedar at the finish.

From a split and for my tastes, drinking at peak. In fact, this surprised me so much that I had to turn around and check the bottle when someone said it was an ‘02. Muddled raspberries, bing cherries, plum, baking spices and tobacco leaves on the nose. Balanced with wonderful structure. Not powerful or weak. Small amount of black fruit on the palate, but mainly dominated by bright red fruits. Some added notes of herbs and cedar at the finish.

Aug 26th, 2019
Jay Eagan

‘02 vintage had a lot of talk about Brett at the winery and it is evident on the nose, but not the palette. Nose was off-putting & it is a bit past it’s prime but it is still a drinkable wine!

‘02 vintage had a lot of talk about Brett at the winery and it is evident on the nose, but not the palette. Nose was off-putting & it is a bit past it’s prime but it is still a drinkable wine!

1 person found it helpfulApr 4th, 2021
Mike Obley

My last bottle, sadly!

My last bottle, sadly!

Sep 30th, 2022
Bret Barker

Smoke on the water.... Deep Purple. Great song and this is a great wine. After 17 years in the bottle I was blown away the color of this wine and how vibrant it was. Easy 15 years left on this thing. I had the 04 a few weeks ago and it was good but lacked the fruit and precision this vintage has.

Smoke on the water.... Deep Purple. Great song and this is a great wine. After 17 years in the bottle I was blown away the color of this wine and how vibrant it was. Easy 15 years left on this thing. I had the 04 a few weeks ago and it was good but lacked the fruit and precision this vintage has.

May 12th, 2019
.
9.4

I’ve had this wine several times and this was the best showing yet. Lots of lovely black cherry with a light earthiness and a clean finish. No TCA that I can detect. I think this is drinking at peak.

I’ve had this wine several times and this was the best showing yet. Lots of lovely black cherry with a light earthiness and a clean finish. No TCA that I can detect. I think this is drinking at peak.

Apr 20th, 2019
Pooneet K

Excellent. Not as pure or complete as the 91 but still a very nice wine. Would love to see with a bit more time.

Excellent. Not as pure or complete as the 91 but still a very nice wine. Would love to see with a bit more time.

Dec 1st, 2018
Mark Grammer

More powerful than expected. Good earth, lead pencil and dark red fruit. Last bottle in my cellar unfortunately as I wish I could try it 5 years from now.

More powerful than expected. Good earth, lead pencil and dark red fruit. Last bottle in my cellar unfortunately as I wish I could try it 5 years from now.

Oct 4th, 2018
Jay Eagan

Still youthful and beautiful

Still youthful and beautiful

Jun 10th, 2016