Chateau Montelena
The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
Fantastic aged CA Cabernet...gorgeous ruby red color, no bricking whatsoever...expressive nose of tobacco, cedar and mint, vibrant in the mouth, red fruits, spices, long, balanced...easily has another decade
Fantastic aged CA Cabernet...gorgeous ruby red color, no bricking whatsoever...expressive nose of tobacco, cedar and mint, vibrant in the mouth, red fruits, spices, long, balanced...easily has another decade
Jan 27th, 2015
Eucalyptus, dark cherry, menthol and leather. Beautiful juice.
Eucalyptus, dark cherry, menthol and leather. Beautiful juice.
Dec 14th, 2014
1992 vintage. Very, very close to Japanese auction market quality with fill, cork, capsule and label nearly immaculate. Decanted and tasted immediately and over the course of 3 hours. Expected amount of sed. What a ride! Having tasted this back in the day when first released, recalled an unusual (for this property) amount of richness in the frontal palate. Wasn't there initially but rolled in for a cameo approx 45 mins after decant. Then...vanished at the 1 hour open mark. First whiff of the nose was fresh, clay kitty litter. This morphed into graphite after 15-20 mins. Body was surprisingly light early on, then fattened up after 30-40 mins to medium status. Impressions were of a leaner effort, then things got positively jammy with unexpected fruit hither and yon. This remained for approx 1.25 hours, then the entire performance, body included, thinned out with their old-school, estate-expected, aged leather punch combined with dark-skinned fruit, mountain grip and a little touch of grey sea salt. No food involved during the experience. The 1991 Montelena Estate Cab is nearest and dearest but this following vintage was an absolute, palate-bending acid(ity) trip. Looking forward to the next trip...er...show. 11.25.23.
1992 vintage. Very, very close to Japanese auction market quality with fill, cork, capsule and label nearly immaculate. Decanted and tasted immediately and over the course of 3 hours. Expected amount of sed. What a ride! Having tasted this back in the day when first released, recalled an unusual (for this property) amount of richness in the frontal palate. Wasn't there initially but rolled in for a cameo approx 45 mins after decant. Then...vanished at the 1 hour open mark. First whiff of the nose was fresh, clay kitty litter. This morphed into graphite after 15-20 mins. Body was surprisingly light early on, then fattened up after 30-40 mins to medium status. Impressions were of a leaner effort, then things got positively jammy with unexpected fruit hither and yon. This remained for approx 1.25 hours, then the entire performance, body included, thinned out with their old-school, estate-expected, aged leather punch combined with dark-skinned fruit, mountain grip and a little touch of grey sea salt. No food involved during the experience. The 1991 Montelena Estate Cab is nearest and dearest but this following vintage was an absolute, palate-bending acid(ity) trip. Looking forward to the next trip...er...show. 11.25.23.
Nov 26th, 2023Guessed Cali over France. Tinge of sweetness on the palate. Excellent
Guessed Cali over France. Tinge of sweetness on the palate. Excellent
Jul 12th, 2017Love Montelena, this was drinking well. Thanks to David for bringing this one!
Love Montelena, this was drinking well. Thanks to David for bringing this one!
Mar 22nd, 2017Exceptional. Superb. Once in a lifetime. 1992 With 23 years of cellaring. Lingers on the pallette for 30 seconds after tasting leaving you with a hankering for more.
Exceptional. Superb. Once in a lifetime. 1992 With 23 years of cellaring. Lingers on the pallette for 30 seconds after tasting leaving you with a hankering for more.
Dec 13th, 2015
Still has good fruit. Currant with hints of cedar. Still dark color, showing brick red at edge. Long legs and still very tannic.
Still has good fruit. Currant with hints of cedar. Still dark color, showing brick red at edge. Long legs and still very tannic.
Dec 29th, 2013
