Chateau Montelena

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.317 ratings
9.410 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
Yoon Ha

Master Sommelier/Wine Director Benu

9.6

Fruit has sweetened out nicely. Terrific purity of fruit with tannins that glide. BTW, can you see the price tag?

Fruit has sweetened out nicely. Terrific purity of fruit with tannins that glide. BTW, can you see the price tag?

1 person found it helpfulMar 8th, 2014
Peter N

Phenomenal #delicious imagine greatness in a wine

Phenomenal #delicious imagine greatness in a wine

Mar 15th, 2016
Adriel Lares

Vintner/Owner Memento Mori

9.1

Still has the aromatics. Prologue and mid chapters but no epilogue. Still hanging in there but on its last legs.

Still has the aromatics. Prologue and mid chapters but no epilogue. Still hanging in there but on its last legs.

Mar 10th, 2016
Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.4

Everyone thought it a wonderful Margaux. Rich and powerful and showing great fruit One of the favorites over several first growth Bordeaux. Lovely.

Everyone thought it a wonderful Margaux. Rich and powerful and showing great fruit One of the favorites over several first growth Bordeaux. Lovely.

Oct 9th, 2014
John Trinidad

Wine Blogger SFWineBlog

9.4

Dang. Photo courtesy of jmeisel

Dang. Photo courtesy of jmeisel

Dec 14th, 2013
Jeff Meisel

The real deal #napa valley cab 1984 #chateamontelena

The real deal #napa valley cab 1984 #chateamontelena

Dec 13th, 2013
Andrew Cullimore

Quite deep ruby medium wide garnet rim . Quite ripe and rich , deep plum, ripe cassis , tobacco , roast spices, wood smoke , mint . Quite dense and exuberant on the palate continuing the notes on the nose with plum , cassis , ash , cacau . Though quite rich and heady there is vibrant acidity and gritty tannins. Quite rich mid palate, with good length and balance. Surprisingly young , great now and at peak though will be excellent for the next 5 or so years and last a further 5.

Quite deep ruby medium wide garnet rim . Quite ripe and rich , deep plum, ripe cassis , tobacco , roast spices, wood smoke , mint . Quite dense and exuberant on the palate continuing the notes on the nose with plum , cassis , ash , cacau . Though quite rich and heady there is vibrant acidity and gritty tannins. Quite rich mid palate, with good length and balance. Surprisingly young , great now and at peak though will be excellent for the next 5 or so years and last a further 5.

Oct 11th, 2023
Doug Powers

Somewhat ripe redfruit aromas and flavors, tannins largely receded, medium-long finish, solid, if unspectacular, older Montelena Cab.

Somewhat ripe redfruit aromas and flavors, tannins largely receded, medium-long finish, solid, if unspectacular, older Montelena Cab.

Mar 21st, 2021
Doug Powers

Mature, sweet dark-fuited, but with the classic (expected) Montelena tannic structure, pretty dense color still, from a “ripe” vintage this still is classic Montelena, structured, long finish, should really sing with the beef I’m cooking now!!

Mature, sweet dark-fuited, but with the classic (expected) Montelena tannic structure, pretty dense color still, from a “ripe” vintage this still is classic Montelena, structured, long finish, should really sing with the beef I’m cooking now!!

Jul 18th, 2020
William Goldsmith

From mag. Oldest Cali cab I've ever had. Tasted very young still.

From mag. Oldest Cali cab I've ever had. Tasted very young still.

Mar 23rd, 2017