Chateau Montelena
The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
Chocolate, plums. Broad. Cassis.
Chocolate, plums. Broad. Cassis.
Sep 1st, 2020
Nice mellow cab, drinking well right now. Not overly tannic. thanks Craig Porter for a great impromptu drinking session last night.
Nice mellow cab, drinking well right now. Not overly tannic. thanks Craig Porter for a great impromptu drinking session last night.
1 person found it helpfulOct 27th, 2018WAY TOO EARLY. Anticipated maturity date of this wine is probably closer to 2026-2028 and I'm certainly not kidding. This wine will keep into the LATE 2030's. Not ready to go now, even with a 2 hour decant, yet if I HAVE to give this wine a rating, AT PRESENT this is a 9.1. Probably much higher at maturity. Served with minimal decant time (like the last one I enjoyed 17 months ago!). The notes did change somewhat in this time. And, certainly after 2-3 hours, this wine did have more of a fruit forward core and a more concentrated profile, but still had quite a bit of acidity. I would say that this wine was more black cherry on the front. The middle goes to herb and limestone. Quite a bit of herbal notes on the finish as well. However, most of this finish is dominated by a ton of acidity.
WAY TOO EARLY. Anticipated maturity date of this wine is probably closer to 2026-2028 and I'm certainly not kidding. This wine will keep into the LATE 2030's. Not ready to go now, even with a 2 hour decant, yet if I HAVE to give this wine a rating, AT PRESENT this is a 9.1. Probably much higher at maturity. Served with minimal decant time (like the last one I enjoyed 17 months ago!). The notes did change somewhat in this time. And, certainly after 2-3 hours, this wine did have more of a fruit forward core and a more concentrated profile, but still had quite a bit of acidity. I would say that this wine was more black cherry on the front. The middle goes to herb and limestone. Quite a bit of herbal notes on the finish as well. However, most of this finish is dominated by a ton of acidity.
1 person found it helpfulOct 4th, 2017
After drinking the '02,'04,&'05 this is a baby that has yet to come into its potential. I have been tasting thru my Chateau Montelena holdings and can only say a 10 year wait is worth it. The '12 is currently a fruit bomb, needs time🍷🍷🍷🍷
After drinking the '02,'04,&'05 this is a baby that has yet to come into its potential. I have been tasting thru my Chateau Montelena holdings and can only say a 10 year wait is worth it. The '12 is currently a fruit bomb, needs time🍷🍷🍷🍷
1 person found it helpfulJun 8th, 2017
Big and oaky with plentiful red fruit and a bit of bramble. I like the style.
Big and oaky with plentiful red fruit and a bit of bramble. I like the style.
Feb 14th, 2016Spicy, black pepper, leather and dark red fruit
Spicy, black pepper, leather and dark red fruit
Dec 14th, 2015
Needs 2 days to come to life, not a pop & pour even though it’s a CA 2012. Classic wine style on this one
Needs 2 days to come to life, not a pop & pour even though it’s a CA 2012. Classic wine style on this one
Sep 19th, 2023
Not sure if this qualifies for "Aged Wine Tuesday". Tastes of expresso, dark chocolate, plums, brambly dark fruits, vanilla, black licorice on midpalate, pencil lead, black strap molasses, sassafras tea, tannins nicely integrated.
Not sure if this qualifies for "Aged Wine Tuesday". Tastes of expresso, dark chocolate, plums, brambly dark fruits, vanilla, black licorice on midpalate, pencil lead, black strap molasses, sassafras tea, tannins nicely integrated.
May 30th, 2023