Chateau Montelena

The Montelena Estate Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

9.445 ratings
9.55 pro ratings
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
Mike Saviage

Purple tawny, almost opaque. Herbal nose. Dark fruits, ripe plums, cedar, some dark soil, some menthol. Starts out a bit harsh and tannic, tight. Needs several hours of air to open up. Good now but likely needs another 5 years of slumber to gain more complexity and shed some edges.

Purple tawny, almost opaque. Herbal nose. Dark fruits, ripe plums, cedar, some dark soil, some menthol. Starts out a bit harsh and tannic, tight. Needs several hours of air to open up. Good now but likely needs another 5 years of slumber to gain more complexity and shed some edges.

May 16th, 2021
Rob Brobst III

Perfection In winemaking..... the magnum offered the perfect vessel to deliver a truly amazing experience.....

Perfection In winemaking..... the magnum offered the perfect vessel to deliver a truly amazing experience.....

Jan 4th, 2021
Bill Bender

Less classic style than the 80’s to mid 90’s Montelena but still loads more balance and nuance than most modern North Coast Cabs.

Less classic style than the 80’s to mid 90’s Montelena but still loads more balance and nuance than most modern North Coast Cabs.

Dec 16th, 2018
Greg Ballington

Co-Founder of Millennial Drinkers Wine Blog

9.5

Open for 2 hours and it is delicious. Deep garnet red. Layered nose with red fruits with some tertiary notes on both plate and nose. Like mushrooms, and truffles. Moderate tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Some as the nose. Love it, with some solid minerality down the midpalate. Dry long finish. Drink till 2027.

Open for 2 hours and it is delicious. Deep garnet red. Layered nose with red fruits with some tertiary notes on both plate and nose. Like mushrooms, and truffles. Moderate tannins (7/10) and full bodied. Some as the nose. Love it, with some solid minerality down the midpalate. Dry long finish. Drink till 2027.

Jan 8th, 2017
Josh Weinstein

5 +Years left on this one. Really enjoyable.

5 +Years left on this one. Really enjoyable.

Oct 4th, 2019
J Ferrugia

This is a young, deeply layered wine that is just now beginning to show rich fruit through still pronounced tannins. The initial nose was viney, green & tannic. After an hour open, the luscious fruit started to emerge with a touch of cedar and earthy notes. This is a big wine. I will try again in 5 years.

This is a young, deeply layered wine that is just now beginning to show rich fruit through still pronounced tannins. The initial nose was viney, green & tannic. After an hour open, the luscious fruit started to emerge with a touch of cedar and earthy notes. This is a big wine. I will try again in 5 years.

Jun 8th, 2019
Joe DAscoli

Really good structure and depth

Really good structure and depth

May 2nd, 2019
Joe DAscoli

Great full bodied old world style

Great full bodied old world style

Dec 31st, 2018
Steve Anderson

Cab flight 2, bottle 2. Might catch the ‘91 with more time, but not tonight.

Cab flight 2, bottle 2. Might catch the ‘91 with more time, but not tonight.

Dec 19th, 2018
Michael Meyer

A brooding teenager

A brooding teenager

Dec 16th, 2018