Chateau Montelena
The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
Cork pulled a couple hours in advance and allowed to slow-ox. The color is deep garnet with a near opaque core and perhaps some slight browning towards the rim but color looks great. There’s significant sediment now. Powerful aromas of black currants, dark cherries, tobacco, green pepper, and baking spices. On the palate, the structure is still pretty sturdy even though the tannins have integrated well. The fruit is ripe and quite delicious and taking on some secondary notes of leather, mushrooms and decomposed earth. The acid giving the wine the lift and energy necessary at 18 years old. A lovely wine that, while at peak, has quite a bit of good life left in it. Drink before 2029.
Cork pulled a couple hours in advance and allowed to slow-ox. The color is deep garnet with a near opaque core and perhaps some slight browning towards the rim but color looks great. There’s significant sediment now. Powerful aromas of black currants, dark cherries, tobacco, green pepper, and baking spices. On the palate, the structure is still pretty sturdy even though the tannins have integrated well. The fruit is ripe and quite delicious and taking on some secondary notes of leather, mushrooms and decomposed earth. The acid giving the wine the lift and energy necessary at 18 years old. A lovely wine that, while at peak, has quite a bit of good life left in it. Drink before 2029.
Apr 27th, 2022
Found this gem and wow so glad - full of everything - so rich - big bold and beautiful - real smiles
Found this gem and wow so glad - full of everything - so rich - big bold and beautiful - real smiles
Mar 17th, 2018
Still quite young at 14. Firm tannin, bright fruit, good acid balance.
Still quite young at 14. Firm tannin, bright fruit, good acid balance.
1 person found it helpfulDec 9th, 2018
Everything you would expect from this classic 2004 Napa Cabernet...ruby-purple, black fruit with round edges to its structure.
Everything you would expect from this classic 2004 Napa Cabernet...ruby-purple, black fruit with round edges to its structure.
1 person found it helpfulJul 10th, 2015blue notes, with a beautiful hint of raspberry, great nose.....annnnnd cantalope!
blue notes, with a beautiful hint of raspberry, great nose.....annnnnd cantalope!
Oct 12th, 2013
Well worth the wait. Impressive fruit after twenty years, with softer tanins.
Well worth the wait. Impressive fruit after twenty years, with softer tanins.
Aug 13th, 2023
In a beautiful place. Decanted about 20-30min. Tannins are velvet with great core of black fruit, forest floor and still a nice acid profile. As expected a more balanced lighter body than most Napa Cabs which is the Montelena “style.”
In a beautiful place. Decanted about 20-30min. Tannins are velvet with great core of black fruit, forest floor and still a nice acid profile. As expected a more balanced lighter body than most Napa Cabs which is the Montelena “style.”
Mar 5th, 2023
Aged well, and paired well with some Tomahawk rib eyes.
Aged well, and paired well with some Tomahawk rib eyes.
Jun 21st, 2020