Chateau Montelena
The Montelena Estate Calistoga Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California, USA
Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.
A treat to try this next to the ‘88, and also against a mini-flight of Leoville Barton. This ‘14 was shockingly odd…unbelievably high toned, sharp, and bing cherry driven aromatically. It actually has this weird cherry reduction profile but also a malic/butter note that needs time to blow off. Crème de cassis and red licorice on the palate with a small amount of graphite. A lot of Calistoga cabs for me show the warmth of the region and this evidently is in that vein, but it’s very Montelena-esque at the end of the day. I’d hold another 5-7yrs.
Annual birthday WWC hosting. As normal, 1 sparkler, 3 whites, 4 reds, 1 dessert, all presented blind.
A treat to try this next to the ‘88, and also against a mini-flight of Leoville Barton. This ‘14 was shockingly odd…unbelievably high toned, sharp, and bing cherry driven aromatically. It actually has this weird cherry reduction profile but also a malic/butter note that needs time to blow off. Crème de cassis and red licorice on the palate with a small amount of graphite. A lot of Calistoga cabs for me show the warmth of the region and this evidently is in that vein, but it’s very Montelena-esque at the end of the day. I’d hold another 5-7yrs.
Brilliant!
Napa fruit nose with old world style:)
Many years of life left,
Drinking beautifully now.
Brilliant!
Napa fruit nose with old world style:)
Many years of life left,
Drinking beautifully now.
A lush red cherry flavor with tobacco, minerality and a lingering mid pallet aftertaste. A really fine wine with years left to the peak.🍷🍷🍷🍷
A lush red cherry flavor with tobacco, minerality and a lingering mid pallet aftertaste. A really fine wine with years left to the peak.🍷🍷🍷🍷
Apr 4th, 2020Exceptional with 20 years too improve! Lush red fruit, hints of flint and tobacco. I have a case and probably won’t disturb again for 5 years. 🍷🍷🍷🍷
Exceptional with 20 years too improve! Lush red fruit, hints of flint and tobacco. I have a case and probably won’t disturb again for 5 years. 🍷🍷🍷🍷
Oct 26th, 2019A young bold masterpiece of winemaking excellence. Years to its peak. Lush fruit, solid tannins great nose and a long lingering aftertaste. 🍷🍷🍷
A young bold masterpiece of winemaking excellence. Years to its peak. Lush fruit, solid tannins great nose and a long lingering aftertaste. 🍷🍷🍷
Jul 23rd, 2019
Needs a solid decant. Older school cab, really enjoyable, finishes nicely
Needs a solid decant. Older school cab, really enjoyable, finishes nicely
Jun 14th, 2019
Drank this head to head with a Caymus 2015 and it was the clear winner. Still very young, but not as intense and strong of a wine as I remember past Montalena Cabs.
Drank this head to head with a Caymus 2015 and it was the clear winner. Still very young, but not as intense and strong of a wine as I remember past Montalena Cabs.
Dec 30th, 2018
This wine has a wonderful nose. Dark cherry, tobacco and a touch of chocolate were the highlights. The first sip after opening was great. Allowed to sit for a little over an hour and we were rewarded with a luscious glass of wine. The blackberries to me were the most prevalent but there are subtle red fruits as well. Finished lingered with a touch of Graphite and wet cedar. This was a lovely bottle of wine.
This wine has a wonderful nose. Dark cherry, tobacco and a touch of chocolate were the highlights. The first sip after opening was great. Allowed to sit for a little over an hour and we were rewarded with a luscious glass of wine. The blackberries to me were the most prevalent but there are subtle red fruits as well. Finished lingered with a touch of Graphite and wet cedar. This was a lovely bottle of wine.
Dec 2nd, 2018Decanted for a good hour, dark berries, chocolate, long finish, excellent
Decanted for a good hour, dark berries, chocolate, long finish, excellent
Sep 12th, 2018