Chateau Montelena
The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
Mike Mighetto had this 10 years ago
Mike Mighetto had this 10 years ago
1 person found it helpfulMar 5th, 2014
Classic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. A great example of what California can produce.
Classic Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. A great example of what California can produce.
Jan 5th, 2015
Wow! So smooth, so rich, so delightful! Dry, yet delicate on the palate! Wonderful dark cherry notes.
Wow! So smooth, so rich, so delightful! Dry, yet delicate on the palate! Wonderful dark cherry notes.
Dec 21st, 2014Traded some Schramsberg for this baby. Slam dunk cab!
Traded some Schramsberg for this baby. Slam dunk cab!
Sep 16th, 2014
Very disappointing wine for the price. Have loved this wine in the past, 09 should be a good year. Decanted up to 3 hrs, tried some each hr. Too light, lacked backbone and structure. No way should this wine cost as much as it did. Not a terrible wine but no wow factor at all. Not corked or off, winery off its game 88 pts at best maybe even less.
Very disappointing wine for the price. Have loved this wine in the past, 09 should be a good year. Decanted up to 3 hrs, tried some each hr. Too light, lacked backbone and structure. No way should this wine cost as much as it did. Not a terrible wine but no wow factor at all. Not corked or off, winery off its game 88 pts at best maybe even less.
Jul 18th, 2014
Sommelier, International Wine Guild; Balistreri Vineyard; Sales, Joy Wine and Spirits
I liked some of the other vintages more but this still drank surprisingly well. Either, it had a the perfect amount of age or it was meant to drink early because the tannins were approachable and firm, balanced perfect against the fruit. Sort of a spicy finish with some slight herbaceous notes behind the raspberry and black current. Not as complex as I would have hoped, but man, it went down easy.
I liked some of the other vintages more but this still drank surprisingly well. Either, it had a the perfect amount of age or it was meant to drink early because the tannins were approachable and firm, balanced perfect against the fruit. Sort of a spicy finish with some slight herbaceous notes behind the raspberry and black current. Not as complex as I would have hoped, but man, it went down easy.
Mar 17th, 2014
spice and currants over smoke, cherry, and dried fruit
spice and currants over smoke, cherry, and dried fruit
Feb 6th, 2024
2009 Chateau Montelena library release for 2023 from Montelena Estate.
Nose is stunning and perfect black cherry, berries, leather, and some oak
Palate more of the same and tannins that still have quite a bit grip to them but aren’t overpowering.
Once opened up and decanted it was even more magical. However the lower score is because after a while being open the wine turned sour and off. Regardless of the time open I don’t think that should have happened in a few hours
2009 Chateau Montelena library release for 2023 from Montelena Estate.
Nose is stunning and perfect black cherry, berries, leather, and some oak
Palate more of the same and tannins that still have quite a bit grip to them but aren’t overpowering.
Once opened up and decanted it was even more magical. However the lower score is because after a while being open the wine turned sour and off. Regardless of the time open I don’t think that should have happened in a few hours