The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon

Tannins are still pretty burly. Needs another 5-10 yrs.

Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.

A treat to try this next to the ‘88, and also against a mini-flight of Leoville Barton. This ‘14 was shockingly odd…unbelievably high toned, sharp, and bing cherry driven aromatically. It actually has this weird cherry reduction profile but also a malic/butter note that needs time to blow off. Crème de cassis and red licorice on the palate with a small amount of graphite. A lot of Calistoga cabs for me show the warmth of the region and this evidently is in that vein, but it’s very Montelena-esque at the end of the day. I’d hold another 5-7yrs.

Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.

Here we are six years after my last ‘88 Montelena and I’m looking at my old review as if I wrote it about this current bottle! So bright and lively. Gorgeous deep ruby color (darker than the ‘88 Leoville Barton). There is a Christmas spice (maybe more mint-driven) aromatic with bing cherries and floral notes. Red fruit to the core with some spiced blackberries, earthy/herbal savoriness, great acidity and a snappy/youthful finish. Cedar and espresso. Held strong over a few hours open. Not falling off a cliff, but don’t miss this window if you have some!

#AgedWineTuesday

Dark ruby in color with a wide brick rim.

Beautiful nose of blueberries, black plums, cooked cherries, raisins, dried figs, vanilla, cedar, cola, spices, light must, milk chocolates, tobacco and black pepper.

Full bodied and elegant with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with blueberries, plums, cherries, cedar, light vanilla, spices, espresso, cola, light herbs, vegetables, earth and peppercorn.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a wonderful Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley. The label is gone, but the cork shows the name and vintage.

Showing great complexity with a soft mouthfeel. Elegant, fruit forward and rich.

So nice right out of the bottle, and after 15 minutes of airtime, tannins show up and bring good structure to the wine.

This 36 Year old is still drinking very nicely. Didn't last more than a couple of hours, but we didn't need more than that.

I've heard of bottle variation in this vintage. We got lucky this time.

A fantastic wine that I couldn't stop smelling. What a beautiful nose.

Such a great experience tasting this aged wine. Thank you John for sharing.

94 points.

Gift from Mike DUNN … the wine not the girl

Cork pulled a couple hours in advance and allowed to slow-ox. The color is deep garnet with a near opaque core and perhaps some slight browning towards the rim but color looks great. There’s significant sediment now. Powerful aromas of black currants, dark cherries, tobacco, green pepper, and baking spices. On the palate, the structure is still pretty sturdy even though the tannins have integrated well. The fruit is ripe and quite delicious and taking on some secondary notes of leather, mushrooms and decomposed earth. The acid giving the wine the lift and energy necessary at 18 years old. A lovely wine that, while at peak, has quite a bit of good life left in it. Drink before 2029.

Nice balancing act of dark fruits, clove, and vanilla with plenty of life left

🥩

‘08 is just hitting its stride. Great sweet fruit, juicy acidity, lush but firm tannins.

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.