1977 Chateau Montelena Sonoma Cabernet was the most interesting bottle sold tonight. The winery was purchased by Jim Barret and Lee Paschich in 1969 and the first few vintages including this bottle were made from purchased fruit. In 1969 the estate was planted to Carignan, Alicante and other popular varieties. They replanted the vineyard to Cabernet and the still unpopular Chardonnay. Their first estate bottling of a Napa Cabernet was 1978.
The wine was very fresh, dense, some garnet color and no brown. Balsamic and soy, fig and dried leather. Very good shape for the age and was a surprise
1977 Chateau Montelena Sonoma Cabernet was the most interesting bottle sold tonight. The winery was purchased by Jim Barret and Lee Paschich in 1969 and the first few vintages including this bottle were made from purchased fruit. In 1969 the estate was planted to Carignan, Alicante and other popular varieties. They replanted the vineyard to Cabernet and the still unpopular Chardonnay. Their first estate bottling of a Napa Cabernet was 1978.
The wine was very fresh, dense, some garnet color and no brown. Balsamic and soy, fig and dried leather. Very good shape for the age and was a surprise
Jan 27th, 2019
Amazingly good! Dark fruit, supple tannin. Slight brett but in a good way. I’m very impressed with the longevity.
Amazingly good! Dark fruit, supple tannin. Slight brett but in a good way. I’m very impressed with the longevity.
Dec 16th, 2018
Showing well
Apr 8th, 2017
Still in a great place. A lot of fruit remaining. I called 85 Chateau Montelena blind.
Still in a great place. A lot of fruit remaining. I called 85 Chateau Montelena blind.
Jul 28th, 2015
Sliding into the fruitless black hole. Sadly this wine, one of my favorite Cht Montelena vintages is on the downward slide and past its prime
Sliding into the fruitless black hole. Sadly this wine, one of my favorite Cht Montelena vintages is on the downward slide and past its prime
Jul 4th, 2015
WOW! 1987 and 28 years young. Tried upon opening, would you believe it needed a good 30 minutes to open up. Thanks to Dr Joe and wife Kathy. Bravo!
WOW! 1987 and 28 years young. Tried upon opening, would you believe it needed a good 30 minutes to open up. Thanks to Dr Joe and wife Kathy. Bravo!
Mar 24th, 2015Soft and supple with delicate blue plum fruit on the nose. A very nice interplay between the restrained plum and earth overtones and the hint of nice slightly (but pleasantly) sour blue plum skin flavor. Holding up nicely
Soft and supple with delicate blue plum fruit on the nose. A very nice interplay between the restrained plum and earth overtones and the hint of nice slightly (but pleasantly) sour blue plum skin flavor. Holding up nicely
Dec 17th, 2014
Pilkey called it. It's a big, tannic monster.
Pilkey called it. It's a big, tannic monster.
Oct 7th, 2014
Great bottle of '73
Sep 26th, 2014
My girlfriend and I, both born in '74, had this recently for her birthday to commemorate our not-quite-end-of-30's. Worth the wait for every insanely good drop.
My girlfriend and I, both born in '74, had this recently for her birthday to commemorate our not-quite-end-of-30's. Worth the wait for every insanely good drop.
Dec 2nd, 2013
Sonoma County, California, USA
