Chateau Montelena

The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon

9.3107 ratings
9.226 pro ratings
Calistoga, 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
Cameron Parry

Still very lively and vibrant at 15. Restrained but well structured, with a great balance of fruit. Savory notes are starting to come out more. Very long finish.

Still very lively and vibrant at 15. Restrained but well structured, with a great balance of fruit. Savory notes are starting to come out more. Very long finish.

Sep 4th, 2020
Chris Morgan

Sommelier The Oceanaire Seafood Room

9.1

Magnum

Magnum

Aug 13th, 2017
Roy Goble

Okay, just okay

Okay, just okay

Feb 12th, 2016
David L

Château Montelena 2003. This wine is in a perfect place right now! One hour decanting. My friends couldn't believe that we are drinking a 2003. Purple/dark red in color. Left Bank with a little California love. Rich full-bodied wine. Extraordinarily well balanced. Black cherry, Red licorice, dark sweet chocolate. Youthful... 15+ years. This from an 03' impressive!

Château Montelena 2003. This wine is in a perfect place right now! One hour decanting. My friends couldn't believe that we are drinking a 2003. Purple/dark red in color. Left Bank with a little California love. Rich full-bodied wine. Extraordinarily well balanced. Black cherry, Red licorice, dark sweet chocolate. Youthful... 15+ years. This from an 03' impressive!

Dec 20th, 2015
Cameron Parry

Rather closed upon opening, even after decant. Put the scraps back on the bottle (no gas, no vacuum) and revisited (finished) 2 days later - wow, what a difference! Round, rich, chewy, full, excellent persistence....I clearly opened this (way) too soon.

Rather closed upon opening, even after decant. Put the scraps back on the bottle (no gas, no vacuum) and revisited (finished) 2 days later - wow, what a difference! Round, rich, chewy, full, excellent persistence....I clearly opened this (way) too soon.

Oct 10th, 2015
Garrett Pierce

Sales Kermit Lynch Wine Merchant

9.1

Nice job Napa-town.

Nice job Napa-town.

Oct 26th, 2014
Mike Saviage

Decent cab in need of another 10-15 years of age.

Decent cab in need of another 10-15 years of age.

Oct 26th, 2014
Nathaniel DiMaggio

Really nice cab...in balance, not too much oak or crazy fruit....

Really nice cab...in balance, not too much oak or crazy fruit....

Aug 10th, 2014
Mary Jane Reiter

Sommelier & Writer SpecialForkWines

9.8

Balanced fruit and oak mellow tannins. Enjoyed with steak dinner.

Balanced fruit and oak mellow tannins. Enjoyed with steak dinner.

Oct 21st, 2013
Shengli Hu

Temperate vintage. Goldilocks vintage. 98% Cab Sauv, 2% Cab Franc, 22 months in 100% French oak of which 25% new. Purple flowers, just ripe red and black berries. Sweet spices, vanilla, pencil shavings. Elevated/high acidity, integrated soft tannins.

Temperate vintage. Goldilocks vintage. 98% Cab Sauv, 2% Cab Franc, 22 months in 100% French oak of which 25% new. Purple flowers, just ripe red and black berries. Sweet spices, vanilla, pencil shavings. Elevated/high acidity, integrated soft tannins.

Jul 11th, 2022