This 1998 Napa wine’s bouquet is complex and savory with hints of cherry, plum and leather. The palate is silky with tannins and fruit and hint of cocoa. All this greatness yet the finish was mellow. Maybe too long in the bottle but a winner nevertheless. — 11 days ago
Well, here we are two years later, back at the same BYOB for New Year’s Eve with the same wine. I figured 35 years was enough—it was time to drink it.
Same treatment as in 2024: opened and decanted, then poured about two hours later. This time the nose offered noticeably more—cedar, a touch of vegetal character, and dark berries. On the palate, dark berries again took the lead. The finish was good, but at the very end it seemed to stop just a bit short but still giving it a 95. At Anthony’s — 7 days ago

Dark Ruby color with aromas of berry fruits, herbs and earthy oak spice. On the palate flavors of black cherry, raspberry and currants with espresso, cacao and earthy notes. Well balanced, lively acidity, fine tannins long ending with fruit, oak, mineral and tobacco spice! Very Nice Napa Cab! — 22 days ago
The kind of wine you never won’t to end… just sensational. What a beautiful expression of Napa and the wine was drinking beautifully with 15 years of age. — 11 days ago
$21 at Walmart of all places: inky dense rich - needed 2 hrs to unfurl to show complexity that is PS: coffee & tobacco, licorice and oh so peppery, herbs, and all manner of red & black fruit + cassis & vanilla. luscious dense plenty of stuffing, polished & suave on mid palate leading to lingering finish. still plenty of life ahead, definitely felt ABV tho — a month ago
One of my favorite cabs. Wonderfully balanced complexity, silky mouth feel, a bit chewy with a delightful finish. Put it up for a couple of years if you can wait. — 20 days ago
Rich cocoa and dark red and purple fruits on the nose. Rich, full notes of raspberry jam, red currant, subtle licorice and tar, plum, and blueberry. Wolly and tannic, but silky. Medium-plus body. High alcohol. — 9 days ago
So what to post here. This has a 3x100 rating and I am always suspicious when I see it. 97 to 98 for me. The way this wine is integrated is stunning. Multiple layers of flavors and mellowed tannins with alcohol that is muted in the background. A spectacular rendition and no doubt one of the nicest vintages I have had. Glad we had it together with the other wines and champagnes tonight. — 25 days ago
Excellent special wine, paired with classic steakhouse fare. — 13 days ago
Lemon yellow with green Chalk. Citrus peach. Mango. Pineapple. Vanilla. Rich. Buttery. Herb. Honeysuckle. From cool. Without MLF Elegant. From Calistoga.
Fruitiness M+ Sweetness M+ Acidity M++ Bitterness M+ Body M Finish M 13.8%
Fresh Dry Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 22 @17600, AD, 251210 — a month ago
Fancy bottle. This was a gift from my friend given for me to try as a long aged wine she loved. Still has a dark color 11 years on. Aromas are perfumed and musky. Has a bit of berry. Bit of fancy soap or shampoo. Wet stone. Flavors are full and ripe. Juicy couture. Plenty of flinty and soil to go with the deep caisis and olive. This is balanced yet big. A Napa gem for sure. Lovely Cab. — a month ago
WC Fields
Long decant and this is big. Tight. Great with steak but just needs years. — 13 days ago