Chateau Montelena

The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon

9.251 ratings
9.126 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
Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

1991 vintage. Arguably the best wine they ever made. Massive in its infancy and still packing a wallop all these years later. Plenty of fruit, structure, knitting and acidity. Heat is still noticeably prominent. Pretty damn close to the top of the bell curve if it isn’t straddling it currently. Still a top ten CA cab of all time for me. There have been many pretenders but few contenders to the Cabernet crown that this wine wore from 1987-1998.

1991 vintage. Arguably the best wine they ever made. Massive in its infancy and still packing a wallop all these years later. Plenty of fruit, structure, knitting and acidity. Heat is still noticeably prominent. Pretty damn close to the top of the bell curve if it isn’t straddling it currently. Still a top ten CA cab of all time for me. There have been many pretenders but few contenders to the Cabernet crown that this wine wore from 1987-1998.

1 person found it helpfulJan 7th, 2020
Mike Saviage

Dark garnet with orange-reddish rims. Opaque. Angular nose with black currant, saddle leather, wood pile and black licorice. There's also sweetness hidden in there. In the mouth its rich with great structure and balance. Tannins nicely integrated. In a great window right now.

Dark garnet with orange-reddish rims. Opaque. Angular nose with black currant, saddle leather, wood pile and black licorice. There's also sweetness hidden in there. In the mouth its rich with great structure and balance. Tannins nicely integrated. In a great window right now.

Sep 11th, 2016
Patrick Derdeyn

It's 25 yr old Montelena Estate. Meets high expectations.

It's 25 yr old Montelena Estate. Meets high expectations.

Jul 8th, 2016
Richard Macleod

President MacLeod Family Vineyard

9.7

This vintage still going strong. Plenty of berry fruit and exceptional balance. Delicate mouth feel. Not over the top jammy. My last bottle. This would have held up for another 10 years. Makes me think we have lost the art of balanced cabs in recent years.

This vintage still going strong. Plenty of berry fruit and exceptional balance. Delicate mouth feel. Not over the top jammy. My last bottle. This would have held up for another 10 years. Makes me think we have lost the art of balanced cabs in recent years.

May 13th, 2016
Barry Herbst

Wine Buyer Soutirage

9.0

Still a baby

Still a baby

Mar 30th, 2016
Kristin the Wine Girl

Bold unoaky cab. Very interesting. I would not ID as a cab. But we like it! Thanks Robin! Lilacs and lavender on this floral nose.

Bold unoaky cab. Very interesting. I would not ID as a cab. But we like it! Thanks Robin! Lilacs and lavender on this floral nose.

Nov 8th, 2015
Craig Haserot

Founder and Proprietor Sojourn Cellars

8.9

Sweet. Soft, in a good space.

Sweet. Soft, in a good space.

Aug 20th, 2015
Greg Gregory

Spectacular. Took awhile to show fruit but this is a stellar wine

Spectacular. Took awhile to show fruit but this is a stellar wine

Mar 4th, 2015
Chaad Thomas

Owner, First Tier Imports

8.6

Herb and black currant candy nose; focused and fine palate, fresh fruit, good.

Herb and black currant candy nose; focused and fine palate, fresh fruit, good.

Dec 29th, 2014
Cameron Hobel

Owner/Winemaker Hobel Wine Works

9.4

Rad

Rad

Sep 26th, 2014