Chateau Montelena

The Montelana Estate Calistoga Zinfandel

9.073 ratings
8.814 pro ratings
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
Zinfandel
Lamb, Chicken, Turkey, White Rice, Pasta, Potato, Herbs, Mushrooms, Soft Cheese, Chili & Hot Spicy, Tomato-Based, Duck, Exotic Spices, Beans & Peas, Hard Cheese, Pork, Baking Spices, Pungent Cheese, Beef, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Max Fitch

My favorite Zinfandel. Try it with lamb or anything savory. Very slightly dry, with some hints of spice and good acidity.

My favorite Zinfandel. Try it with lamb or anything savory. Very slightly dry, with some hints of spice and good acidity.

2 people found it helpfulDec 8th, 2015
Mike Lee

Not quite my style of Zin, bit softer than expected. Jam preserves and a hint of brick. Love the color on this youngin'

Not quite my style of Zin, bit softer than expected. Jam preserves and a hint of brick. Love the color on this youngin'

2 people found it helpfulOct 24th, 2015
Justin Brilman

Good mouth feel for the price point, don't see that often in mid priced zins. Supple but not overbearing fruit (plum and dark berry) and nice lingering finish. Was as good as it was getting from the lounge at Shoreline amphitheater.

Good mouth feel for the price point, don't see that often in mid priced zins. Supple but not overbearing fruit (plum and dark berry) and nice lingering finish. Was as good as it was getting from the lounge at Shoreline amphitheater.

2 people found it helpfulSep 13th, 2015
Shay A
9.0

Monthly wine group meet up. This month's theme was non-typical reds from Napa. Wines were tasted blind. Always a great time. 👌

I've had this before and I'm in agreement with my initial thoughts...no doubt a well made wine, just not my preference in zin. I tasted a lot of cranberry on this, along with rhubarb and black cherry. A bit of white pepper but not spicy. One of the few zins from the night that could age nicely. Bravo,
@Benjamin Keator !

Monthly wine group meet up. This month's theme was non-typical reds from Napa. Wines were tasted blind. Always a great time. 👌

I've had this before and I'm in agreement with my initial thoughts...no doubt a well made wine, just not my preference in zin. I tasted a lot of cranberry on this, along with rhubarb and black cherry. A bit of white pepper but not spicy. One of the few zins from the night that could age nicely. Bravo,
@Benjamin Keator !

Jun 14th, 2017
Cameron Parry

1.5L heaps of red fruit, smokey, spicy, classic slightly rustic Montelena Zin

1.5L heaps of red fruit, smokey, spicy, classic slightly rustic Montelena Zin

Sep 10th, 2016
Delaille Raubenheimer

Juicy cassis and blackberry with hints of tobacco. Youthful acidity with well integrated tannins. Delicious summertime zin

Juicy cassis and blackberry with hints of tobacco. Youthful acidity with well integrated tannins. Delicious summertime zin

Nov 19th, 2015
Ryan Sherman

Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon

Jul 13th, 2015
Julia van der Vink

Production Forlorn Hope Winery

9.0

Da funk.

Da funk.

Jul 2nd, 2015
Alex Powell

Smoky raspberry coulis, nutmeg and light chocolate, strawberry jam as well, a lighty oaked but heavily toasted berry bowl. Rasp/straw palate, lean and elegant but without minerality, balanced but not much excitement here, quite lacking in finish. Its easy sipping and enjoyable, but for $50?? Come on!

Smoky raspberry coulis, nutmeg and light chocolate, strawberry jam as well, a lighty oaked but heavily toasted berry bowl. Rasp/straw palate, lean and elegant but without minerality, balanced but not much excitement here, quite lacking in finish. Its easy sipping and enjoyable, but for $50?? Come on!

Apr 28th, 2015
Suzanne Shaffer

Yum!

Nov 9th, 2019