Chateau Montelena
The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon



Bright red-ruby. Exceptional aromatic purity and complexity to the aromas of blueberry, cassis, cocoa powder, mocha, spices and minerals; some very ripe berry pie notes emerged with air. Wonderfully creamy, silky and deep; an utterly seamless wine with the underlying soil-driven minerality to energize and frame its fleshy flavors of dark fruits and spices. This is yet another 2010 whose impression of refinement belies the weather extremes of the growing season. Finishes with building but perfectly integrated tannins and outstanding length. This is already approaching its plane of peak drinkability but I'd still want to hold my bottles for at least a few more years. ("You really had to be a good farmer in 2010," noted Bo Barrett) (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, May 2020)
Bright red-ruby. Exceptional aromatic purity and complexity to the aromas of blueberry, cassis, cocoa powder, mocha, spices and minerals; some very ripe berry pie notes emerged with air. Wonderfully creamy, silky and deep; an utterly seamless wine with the underlying soil-driven minerality to energize and frame its fleshy flavors of dark fruits and spices. This is yet another 2010 whose impression of refinement belies the weather extremes of the growing season. Finishes with building but perfectly integrated tannins and outstanding length. This is already approaching its plane of peak drinkability but I'd still want to hold my bottles for at least a few more years. ("You really had to be a good farmer in 2010," noted Bo Barrett) (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, May 2020)
Needs a lot of time to integrate. Wait until at least 2020. Then you'll have some hindsight. 😎
Needs a lot of time to integrate. Wait until at least 2020. Then you'll have some hindsight. 😎
1 person found it helpfulSep 20th, 2015
Youthful and delicious. Red currant and cherry with a moderate amount if oak. Quite forward and supple now but with underlying structure for aging.
Youthful and delicious. Red currant and cherry with a moderate amount if oak. Quite forward and supple now but with underlying structure for aging.
Aug 11th, 2014Expectations were high as the 2010 is one of the rare “Goldilock” vintages of the estate Cab. Plum and cherries on the nose with bright flavors of black cherries, anise, blackberries, blueberries and mild smooth tannins. We’ll balanced. Would love to hold a bottle for ten more years as it was made to lay down for up to forty years.
Expectations were high as the 2010 is one of the rare “Goldilock” vintages of the estate Cab. Plum and cherries on the nose with bright flavors of black cherries, anise, blackberries, blueberries and mild smooth tannins. We’ll balanced. Would love to hold a bottle for ten more years as it was made to lay down for up to forty years.
Apr 24th, 2021
Berns-Levee Bachelor Party not my favorite
Berns-Levee Bachelor Party not my favorite
Feb 23rd, 2021
Up north weekend! When the rain comes out, the wine comes out!
Up north weekend! When the rain comes out, the wine comes out!
Aug 30th, 2020Nice earthy aromas. different CAB than i was expecting from a young napa cab
Nice earthy aromas. different CAB than i was expecting from a young napa cab
Feb 20th, 2017A graceful, elegant wine from an iconic winery. Beautiful scents of cigar box and blueberries lift from the glass. Wonderful flavors of dark fruit, mocha, licorice with a sleek tannic backbone. A really nice finish.
A graceful, elegant wine from an iconic winery. Beautiful scents of cigar box and blueberries lift from the glass. Wonderful flavors of dark fruit, mocha, licorice with a sleek tannic backbone. A really nice finish.
Sep 18th, 2016