Chateau Montelena
Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA

Nose has ripe plum, under-ripe raspberry, damp garden soil, orange zest (?), black licorice, toasted vanilla bean, wet peppercorn in bouquet garni and minor alcohol heat.
Palate has dried plum, tobacco, dried black currant, dried black cherry, minor dark chocolate, dried strawberry, light cedar & oak notes. Medium tannins, still needs time. Future bottles may be 2026+, in proper storage.
Corked pulled 5h rest, 2h decant.
Paired exceptionally with a 3-day marinated tri-tip (for two, small cut), expertly grilled. Beef from our total go-to purveyor of the best meats to be had, Kinderhook Farm in Valatie, NY. Loving environment = Tasty, seriously.
Nose has ripe plum, under-ripe raspberry, damp garden soil, orange zest (?), black licorice, toasted vanilla bean, wet peppercorn in bouquet garni and minor alcohol heat.
Palate has dried plum, tobacco, dried black currant, dried black cherry, minor dark chocolate, dried strawberry, light cedar & oak notes. Medium tannins, still needs time. Future bottles may be 2026+, in proper storage.
Corked pulled 5h rest, 2h decant.
Paired exceptionally with a 3-day marinated tri-tip (for two, small cut), expertly grilled. Beef from our total go-to purveyor of the best meats to be had, Kinderhook Farm in Valatie, NY. Loving environment = Tasty, seriously.

Lighter bodied, restrained style, but a bit foursquare. Could use several more years.
Lighter bodied, restrained style, but a bit foursquare. Could use several more years.
Jul 5th, 2018
Clean and light on the pallet but funky on the nose. Good juice.
Clean and light on the pallet but funky on the nose. Good juice.
Dec 14th, 2017
A bit tight on the open. Slightly blue. Opened up a bit after an hour. Wine can only be as enjoyable as the company you keep while drinking it. True?
A bit tight on the open. Slightly blue. Opened up a bit after an hour. Wine can only be as enjoyable as the company you keep while drinking it. True?
Aug 5th, 2017It's like everything you'd think but darker, and leaner on the finish with a hint of funky earth.
It's like everything you'd think but darker, and leaner on the finish with a hint of funky earth.
Jul 26th, 2017Good fruit, but lighter bodied than expected. Smooth, but short finish.
Good fruit, but lighter bodied than expected. Smooth, but short finish.
3 people found it helpfulJan 30th, 2016If you are expecting a big California cab, you will be disappointed. This is more like a pinot. Extremely light, a little fruity or sweet. For $40, really disappointing. Love Bottleshock btw.
If you are expecting a big California cab, you will be disappointed. This is more like a pinot. Extremely light, a little fruity or sweet. For $40, really disappointing. Love Bottleshock btw.
2 people found it helpfulSep 6th, 2015






