Chateau Montelena
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
A surprised and welcomed pour from a close friend. Chateau Montelena was the first Napa winery I ever visited back in 2014, located up in Calistoga at the north end of Napa Valley. Montelena, along with Chalone, have been immortalized by their involvement in the 1975 Judgement of Paris, effectively opening the world's eyes up to California wine. Great estate, great wines, period. ~$55 | #chateaumontelena #cabernetsauvignon #calistoga
On the eyes: Clear, deep purplish garnet, med stain, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Plum, black currents, floral and slightly herbaceous, pressed meats, slate, med alcohol.
On the tongue: med alcohol, med acid, med tannins that are still stiff. Juicy and round, violets, plums, dark unripe berries, a bit earthy and clean finish. Drinks like any fine Bordeaux, but could use a few more years to open up those tannins.
A surprised and welcomed pour from a close friend. Chateau Montelena was the first Napa winery I ever visited back in 2014, located up in Calistoga at the north end of Napa Valley. Montelena, along with Chalone, have been immortalized by their involvement in the 1975 Judgement of Paris, effectively opening the world's eyes up to California wine. Great estate, great wines, period. ~$55 | #chateaumontelena #cabernetsauvignon #calistoga
On the eyes: Clear, deep purplish garnet, med stain, med tears, no gas/floc.
On the nose: Plum, black currents, floral and slightly herbaceous, pressed meats, slate, med alcohol.
On the tongue: med alcohol, med acid, med tannins that are still stiff. Juicy and round, violets, plums, dark unripe berries, a bit earthy and clean finish. Drinks like any fine Bordeaux, but could use a few more years to open up those tannins.
Balanced. Soft red fruit and peppery notes on the nose along with ripe cherry and tar on the palate. Soft for a Napa Cab, good French style
Balanced. Soft red fruit and peppery notes on the nose along with ripe cherry and tar on the palate. Soft for a Napa Cab, good French style
Nov 25th, 20221982 centennial edition bottle. Excellent wine. Didn’t snap a photo of bottle unfortunately
1982 centennial edition bottle. Excellent wine. Didn’t snap a photo of bottle unfortunately
Apr 10th, 2020
Balanced. Soft red fruit and peppery notes on the nose along with ripe cherry and tar on the palate. Soft for a Napa Cab, good French style
Balanced. Soft red fruit and peppery notes on the nose along with ripe cherry and tar on the palate. Soft for a Napa Cab, good French style
May 27th, 2019
Velvety and rich flavors. Light fruit after taste.
Velvety and rich flavors. Light fruit after taste.
Apr 21st, 2019
Exquisite. Plush fruit with perfect development into tobacco and dried fruits. Tannins and fruit harmonious with life still yet to live on. 17 years old with another 5 years of positive evolution to go.
Exquisite. Plush fruit with perfect development into tobacco and dried fruits. Tannins and fruit harmonious with life still yet to live on. 17 years old with another 5 years of positive evolution to go.
Feb 25th, 2018A gorgeous cab sav for a change, almost as good as a Shiraz!
A gorgeous cab sav for a change, almost as good as a Shiraz!
Feb 3rd, 2017