A rare left over bottle of the 1997 Estate Merlot, a gift to the Montelena staff from a long time club member. After 23 years, there is little fruit left to taste with notes of black pepper and earth tones on the nose alongside strong acid and tangy tannins in the finish. Better than anticipated which speaks to the brand’s ageability, but past it’s peak.
A rare left over bottle of the 1997 Estate Merlot, a gift to the Montelena staff from a long time club member. After 23 years, there is little fruit left to taste with notes of black pepper and earth tones on the nose alongside strong acid and tangy tannins in the finish. Better than anticipated which speaks to the brand’s ageability, but past it’s peak.
May 21st, 2021
Dark fruit. Sour cherry. Brackish water. Forest floor. Maduro wrapper. Blistered shishito. Palette of dark and sour cherry. Strong acid that guides you to the heavy tannic structure that awaits. Fruit is still holding on to provide some balance. But slightly off kilter (past prime?) to be considered a truly great Montelena.
Dark fruit. Sour cherry. Brackish water. Forest floor. Maduro wrapper. Blistered shishito. Palette of dark and sour cherry. Strong acid that guides you to the heavy tannic structure that awaits. Fruit is still holding on to provide some balance. But slightly off kilter (past prime?) to be considered a truly great Montelena.
Sep 5th, 2017
Napa Valley, California, USA
