Chateau Montelena
The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
Bright red-ruby. Exceptional aromatic purity and complexity to the aromas of blueberry, cassis, cocoa powder, mocha, spices and minerals; some very ripe berry pie notes emerged with air. Wonderfully creamy, silky and deep; an utterly seamless wine with the underlying soil-driven minerality to energize and frame its fleshy flavors of dark fruits and spices. This is yet another 2010 whose impression of refinement belies the weather extremes of the growing season. Finishes with building but perfectly integrated tannins and outstanding length. This is already approaching its plane of peak drinkability but I'd still want to hold my bottles for at least a few more years. ("You really had to be a good farmer in 2010," noted Bo Barrett) (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, May 2020)
Bright red-ruby. Exceptional aromatic purity and complexity to the aromas of blueberry, cassis, cocoa powder, mocha, spices and minerals; some very ripe berry pie notes emerged with air. Wonderfully creamy, silky and deep; an utterly seamless wine with the underlying soil-driven minerality to energize and frame its fleshy flavors of dark fruits and spices. This is yet another 2010 whose impression of refinement belies the weather extremes of the growing season. Finishes with building but perfectly integrated tannins and outstanding length. This is already approaching its plane of peak drinkability but I'd still want to hold my bottles for at least a few more years. ("You really had to be a good farmer in 2010," noted Bo Barrett) (Stephen Tanzer, Vinous, May 2020)
Needs a lot of time to integrate. Wait until at least 2020. Then you'll have some hindsight. 😎
Needs a lot of time to integrate. Wait until at least 2020. Then you'll have some hindsight. 😎
1 person found it helpfulSep 20th, 2015
Youthful and delicious. Red currant and cherry with a moderate amount if oak. Quite forward and supple now but with underlying structure for aging.
Youthful and delicious. Red currant and cherry with a moderate amount if oak. Quite forward and supple now but with underlying structure for aging.
Aug 11th, 2014
Cool vintage. 98.75% Cab Sauv, 1.25% Cab Franc. 22 months in 100% French oak of which 29% new. Picked at 24 Brix. Red flowers, tart red and black berries, fresh tobacco leaf, pulverized pencil dust. Elevated/high acid, very soft but elevated levels of tannins. Faint notes of spices and vanilla on finish.
Cool vintage. 98.75% Cab Sauv, 1.25% Cab Franc. 22 months in 100% French oak of which 29% new. Picked at 24 Brix. Red flowers, tart red and black berries, fresh tobacco leaf, pulverized pencil dust. Elevated/high acid, very soft but elevated levels of tannins. Faint notes of spices and vanilla on finish.
Jul 11th, 2022
A joy to drink that is coming into its drinking window. Rides the fence between Napa styles beautifully.
A joy to drink that is coming into its drinking window. Rides the fence between Napa styles beautifully.
Oct 1st, 2022Expectations were high as the 2010 is one of the rare “Goldilock” vintages of the estate Cab. Plum and cherries on the nose with bright flavors of black cherries, anise, blackberries, blueberries and mild smooth tannins. We’ll balanced. Would love to hold a bottle for ten more years as it was made to lay down for up to forty years.
Expectations were high as the 2010 is one of the rare “Goldilock” vintages of the estate Cab. Plum and cherries on the nose with bright flavors of black cherries, anise, blackberries, blueberries and mild smooth tannins. We’ll balanced. Would love to hold a bottle for ten more years as it was made to lay down for up to forty years.
Apr 24th, 2021
Berns-Levee Bachelor Party not my favorite
Berns-Levee Bachelor Party not my favorite
Feb 23rd, 2021Up north weekend! When the rain comes out, the wine comes out!
Up north weekend! When the rain comes out, the wine comes out!
Aug 30th, 2020