Chateau Montelena

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.332 ratings
9.312 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
Conrad Green

Slightly dusty with mint and dark blue fruit. A little truncated but very nice.

Slightly dusty with mint and dark blue fruit. A little truncated but very nice.

Jun 5th, 2019
Mark Royer

Dusty tannins, round, almost lush

Dusty tannins, round, almost lush

Dec 20th, 2018
Robert Cunningham

Wine Educator DeVinimus, Wine Workshop

9.0

Roasted fruit and lovely leather

Roasted fruit and lovely leather

Nov 3rd, 2017
Remi Barrett

Happy birthday to my dad!! WOOO!

Happy birthday to my dad!! WOOO!

2 people found it helpfulMar 16th, 2015
Jordan Gianelli

Still very much alive in 2015. The nose exhibits an array of dark fruits with accents of barrel, scorched oak leaves and rich soil. The palate is medium side of full with great acidity framing the dark fruits and toffee tones. Decant this and turn off all electronic devices. This deserves your undivided attention.

Still very much alive in 2015. The nose exhibits an array of dark fruits with accents of barrel, scorched oak leaves and rich soil. The palate is medium side of full with great acidity framing the dark fruits and toffee tones. Decant this and turn off all electronic devices. This deserves your undivided attention.

2 people found it helpfulFeb 12th, 2015
Joe Becerra

Decanted an aerating. Needs more breathing time.

Decanted an aerating. Needs more breathing time.

1 person found it helpfulDec 25th, 2014
Gary Westby

Champagne & Sherry buyer K&L Wines

10

The last glass was the best! High toned black currant, dark chocolate and almost Tuscan acidity... This bottle lived up to expectation and was a great partner for a giant bone-in rib-eye at Quattro!

The last glass was the best! High toned black currant, dark chocolate and almost Tuscan acidity... This bottle lived up to expectation and was a great partner for a giant bone-in rib-eye at Quattro!

Sep 13th, 2014
Christopher Hoel

Sommelier/Senior Wine Advisor Soutirage

9.9

Wow! I love it well cared for Montelena shows up. Absolutely stunning!

Wow! I love it well cared for Montelena shows up. Absolutely stunning!

Nov 2nd, 2013
Pooneet K

Quite a nice montelena - and birth year to boot! Had with some Allen bros wagyu ribeyes, which honestly were too gratuitous, wouldn’t purchase again.

Would have guessed this was older Bordeaux from the nose, which is a high compliment. Decanted 2 hours and took it fine - the tannins are still quite there. But the fruit is secondary and quite seamless in a nice way. Finish maybe slightly lacking some depth which would make this higher - but overall very good.

Quite a nice montelena - and birth year to boot! Had with some Allen bros wagyu ribeyes, which honestly were too gratuitous, wouldn’t purchase again.

Would have guessed this was older Bordeaux from the nose, which is a high compliment. Decanted 2 hours and took it fine - the tannins are still quite there. But the fruit is secondary and quite seamless in a nice way. Finish maybe slightly lacking some depth which would make this higher - but overall very good.

Apr 14th, 2024
Doug Powers

Still quite structured and tannic, showing a lot age, a tad unbalanced, will be better with the steaks, but drying, hard tannins are what this bottle shows tonight.

Still quite structured and tannic, showing a lot age, a tad unbalanced, will be better with the steaks, but drying, hard tannins are what this bottle shows tonight.

Oct 15th, 2023