One of the historic wineries of California and it continues to produce impressive age worthy Cabernets and yes, age worthy Chardonnays too!
We had a chance to taste these last night and they are beautiful wines.
2020 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay Napa Valley...$62.99
The 2020 Chardonnay was released in October 2022. As usual, it's a non-malolactic fermentation wine, matured in a relatively small proportion of new French oak, and so it reveals hints of apple, tangerine and lime on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it's sappy, a bit linear and vibrant on the palate, finishing crisp and long. I've capped the aging estimate at a decade, but past vintages have aged successfully for 20 years or more, depending on your preferences.
Rated 93/100 The Wine Advocate
The 2020 Chardonnay was released in October 2022. As usual, it's a non-malolactic fermentation wine, matured in a relatively small proportion of new French oak, and so it reveals hints of apple, tangerine and lime on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it's sappy, a bit linear and vibrant on the palate, finishing crisp and long. I've capped the aging estimate at a decade, but past vintages have aged successfully for 20 years or more, depending on your preferences.
Rated 93/100 The Wine Advocate
Montelena Cellar release:
We are lucky enough to have some access to 2015 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay...$199.99 Magnum bottles -- email aaron@wineandcheeseplace.com if you are interested. These will come from the cellars for Chateau Montelena. Perfectly cellared!
2019 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon...$81.99
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley includes 9% Merlot from a vineyard in Oak Knoll and spent 16 months in 28% new French oak, with a bit of Hungarian as well. It offers up textbook notes of cherries and redcurrants, plus a hint of vanilla, all in an easy-drinking, medium to full-bodied format. The tannins are silky, and the acids are tart in this moderately concentrated effort that should provide enjoyable drinking over the next 10 years or so.
Rated 91/100 The Wine Advocate
Cellar release - 15 years old, tasting perfect right now!
2008 Chateau Montelena THE ESTATE Cabernet Sauvignon...$249.99
Old-school, but well-done, this is tight and firm, showing a dense, balanced mix of dried currant, mineral, cedar, cigar box and tobacco flavors. Ends with good depth, range of flavor and tannins. Best from 2013 through 2023. 5,940 cases made.
Rated 92/100 The Wine Spectator
Rated 92/100 Vinous Media
2018 Chateau Montelena THE ESTATE Cabernet Sauvignon...$199.99
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is impressive. Elegant and poised, the 2018 is a wine of reserve at this stage. Dark red/purplish berry fruit, mint, sage, spice, mocha and dried flowers open first, followed by a kick of vibrant acids that lends notable energy throughout. All this young Cabernet needs is time in the bottle to fully come together. I won't be surprised if it turns out to be a touch more compelling than the 2019 tasted alongside it. Truth be told, both vintages are captivating, but for very different reasons. Superb.
Rated 96/100 Vinous Media
We are lucky enough to have some access to 2015 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay...$199.99 Magnum bottles -- email aaron@wineandcheeseplace.com if you are interested. These will come from the cellars for Chateau Montelena. Perfectly cellared!
2019 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon...$81.99
The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley includes 9% Merlot from a vineyard in Oak Knoll and spent 16 months in 28% new French oak, with a bit of Hungarian as well. It offers up textbook notes of cherries and redcurrants, plus a hint of vanilla, all in an easy-drinking, medium to full-bodied format. The tannins are silky, and the acids are tart in this moderately concentrated effort that should provide enjoyable drinking over the next 10 years or so.
Rated 91/100 The Wine Advocate
Cellar release - 15 years old, tasting perfect right now!
2008 Chateau Montelena THE ESTATE Cabernet Sauvignon...$249.99
Old-school, but well-done, this is tight and firm, showing a dense, balanced mix of dried currant, mineral, cedar, cigar box and tobacco flavors. Ends with good depth, range of flavor and tannins. Best from 2013 through 2023. 5,940 cases made.
Rated 92/100 The Wine Spectator
Rated 92/100 Vinous Media
2018 Chateau Montelena THE ESTATE Cabernet Sauvignon...$199.99
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is impressive. Elegant and poised, the 2018 is a wine of reserve at this stage. Dark red/purplish berry fruit, mint, sage, spice, mocha and dried flowers open first, followed by a kick of vibrant acids that lends notable energy throughout. All this young Cabernet needs is time in the bottle to fully come together. I won't be surprised if it turns out to be a touch more compelling than the 2019 tasted alongside it. Truth be told, both vintages are captivating, but for very different reasons. Superb.
Rated 96/100 Vinous Media
No comments:
Post a Comment