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Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2011
The Winery
Chateau Montelena
“There is something reassuring about seeing a bottle of Chateau Montelena. This classic, old Napa Valley winery is best known for its Cabernet Sauvignon, but they can also fashion wonderful Chardonnay from the Alexander and Napa valleys.”
-Robert Parker
Chateau Montelena is one of the most prominent and oldest Napa Valley wineries tracing its origins back to 1882. This winery is now under the ownership of the Barrett family and they are particularly famous for their Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay.
Thanks to the famous 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting where Chateau Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay outranked France’s best white burgundies. This seminal event helped put California in the forefront of the wine world. Today, the Barrett family continues to produce the finest wines in California and to be the benchmark of quality.
Summary
Chateau Montelena's 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate, sourced from the unique volcanic and alluvial soils of Calistoga, showcases a refined balance of flavors. This flagship wine reveals a layered profile of dark cherry, plum, and lavender, complemented by hints of cloves and licorice. The cool and rainy vintage has contributed to its elegant, Bordeaux-like character, delivering bright acidity and silky tannins. Aromatic notes of earth, bay leaves, and subtle spices enhance its complexity, while a minerally backbone ensures an enduring finish. The wine reflects Montelena's commitment to classic, ageworthy styles, with 35% of the blend comprising hillside vineyard grapes.
Tasting Notes
- WA91
- Pale to medium garnet-purple colored, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate features notes of cranberries, black raspberries and warm red currants with touches of garrigue, lavender and wild thyme. Medium-bodied with understated, chewy tannins and just enough freshness, it finishes with pleasant herb and toast flavors.
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