Vintage 2021

Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Château Montelena

Product Code: ML0221RC

Tasting Notes

Youthful nose of sweet blackcurrant jam and black cherry with floral and cedar undertones. Dry, with high acid and grippy tannins; pronounced and dense flavours of sweet spiced fruit with chocolate and wood notes. Rich, ripe and full flavoured, this wine is incredibly complex and a quintessential top-end Californian Cabernet. NOSE Fresh and lively, the wine opens effusively with raspberry, mint and plum sauce. e baking spices soon follow, leaning clove initially but with plenty of cedar and vanilla. Still subtle, the ripe fruit elements, mostly cassis and fig at this stage, lurk beneath the surface along with beautiful hints of graphite and toasted sage, awaiting additional time in glass. PALATE Still very tightly wound, it’s the texture and mouthfeel that drive the palate initially. e tannins in particular are somewhat coarse but not so angular to overshadow the abundant dark fruit. e dynamic tension on the midpalate serves to focus and magnify the layers of black cherry, cocoa powder, and black pepper, before turning slightly earthy and dusty. e structure is pronounced, but still harmonious and well defined. FINISH It’s in the transition to the finish that the acidity materializes in almost candy-like fashion, a beautiful contrast to the supple tannins. Here the wine’s density shines elegantly, well balanced between smoky, espresso bean and delicate, dried blackberry. It’s the latter that defines the finish at this moment, persistent in length and depth

Profile

Cabernet Sauvignon
14.2
UNITED STATES
6
Cork
Chateau Montelena
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            [SecondaryDescription] => Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Château Montelena
            [Description] => Montelena Estate Cab 6x75cl
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            [Notes1] => Youthful nose of sweet blackcurrant jam and black cherry with floral and cedar undertones.  Dry, with high acid and grippy tannins; pronounced and dense flavours of sweet spiced fruit with chocolate and wood notes.  Rich, ripe and full flavoured, this wine is incredibly complex and a quintessential top-end Californian Cabernet.

NOSE
Fresh and lively, the wine opens 
effusively with raspberry, mint and 
plum sauce. e baking spices soon 
follow, leaning clove initially but with 
plenty of cedar and vanilla. Still subtle,
the ripe fruit elements, mostly cassis 
and fig at this stage, lurk beneath the 
surface along with beautiful hints of 
graphite and toasted sage, awaiting 
additional time in glass.
PALATE
Still very tightly wound, it’s the texture 
and mouthfeel that drive the palate 
initially. e tannins in particular are 
somewhat coarse but not so angular to 
overshadow the abundant dark fruit. e 
dynamic tension on the midpalate serves 
to focus and magnify the layers of black 
cherry, cocoa powder, and black pepper, 
before turning slightly earthy and dusty. 
e structure is pronounced, but still 
harmonious and well defined.
FINISH
It’s in the transition to the finish that
the acidity materializes in almost 
candy-like fashion, a beautiful 
contrast to the supple tannins. 
Here the wine’s density shines 
elegantly, well balanced between 
smoky, espresso bean and delicate, 
dried blackberry. It’s the latter that 
defines the finish at this moment, 
persistent in length and depth
            [Notes2] => 
            [Notes3] => 
            [Notes4] => Youthful nose of sweet blackcurrant jam and black cherry with floral and cedar undertones. Dry, with high acid and grippy tannins; pronounced and dense flavours of sweet spiced fruit with chocolate and wood notes. Rich, ripe and full flavoured this wine is incredibly complex and a quintessential top-end Californian Cabernet.  Presented in a wooden box.
            [MediaNotes] => 
            [ServingSuggestion] => 
            [WineMakingNotes] => 22 months 100% French 40% new.


We believe our sense of stewardship along with a healthy, long-term perspective have been essential to Montelena’s success over 
the past 50 years. e Estate Vineyard, situated adjacent to the Chateau at the base of Mount St. Helena, profoundly embodies 
that outlook. From the beginning, the focus has been on farming the right way, instead of the convenient way. e right way 
takes time. e right way demands continuous investment. e right way encourages learning, adaptation and improvement. 
Most importantly, while the right way is always an option, it’s rarely the most convenient one for many wineries. But decades
of careful attention, good decision-making, and a focus on vineyard health have aligned what’s best for the soil, best for the wine,
and yes, best for this family farm. Even though the right way isn’t always the most expedient way, it’s the only option we consider.
is is Montelena at its best.
VINTAGE WEATHER
What’s not to like about the weather in 2018? e late spring rains in March and April were very productive and the vines 
responded with plentiful growth into summer. Unusually low nighttime temperatures coupled with warm to hot days magnified
the acidity in the fruit, creating elegant structure for extending aging, rather than overtly jammy flavor. Harvest was slow and 
methodical as subtle variations in soil and sun exposure magnified the typically nuanced differences in ripening and maturation.
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                    [Notes1] => In 1972 Jim Barrett, son of a Waterford immigrant, purchased the 
historic 100 hectare property which lies 3.5 kilometres north of 
Calistoga, at the base of Mount St. Helena. The region lies on a 
complex terroir with a mixture of alluvial and volcanic soils, some on the flat, some on steeply sided hillsides and in 2010 was given its own AVA (American Viticultural Area) as a recognition of its uniqueness. Under Jim Barrett’s guidance the château’s vineyards were replanted and a modern winery was installed and in 1976 his vision was rewarded by winning the famous ‘Judgement of Paris’ when his Chardonnay beat 4 white Burgundies and five other Californian Chardonnays in a blind tasting that rocked the wine world. Today, Jim’s son, Bo, is at the helm and he has continued the tradition of making elegantly styled wines, both white and red.
                    [Notes2] => 
                    [Notes3] => Napa Valley, California
                    [Notes4] => One of the world`s finest estates, chateau montelena produced the winning white wine in the infamous ‘judgement of paris` tasting of 1976. now known as much for reds as for their whites, montelena is undoubtedly one of napa valley`s finest ambassadors and one of the world’s great producers.  “no other winery i know of has such an unbroken track record for making world class wines year after year.” – robert parker
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                    [Notes1] => In 1972 Jim Barrett, son of a Waterford immigrant, purchased the 
historic 100 hectare property which lies 3.5 kilometres north of 
Calistoga, at the base of Mount St. Helena. The region lies on a 
complex terroir with a mixture of alluvial and volcanic soils, some on the flat, some on steeply sided hillsides and in 2010 was given its own AVA (American Viticultural Area) as a recognition of its uniqueness. Under Jim Barrett’s guidance the château’s vineyards were replanted and a modern winery was installed and in 1976 his vision was rewarded by winning the famous ‘Judgement of Paris’ when his Chardonnay beat 4 white Burgundies and five other Californian Chardonnays in a blind tasting that rocked the wine world. Today, Jim’s son, Bo, is at the helm and he has continued the tradition of making elegantly styled wines, both white and red.
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                    [Notes1] => In 1972 Jim Barrett, son of a Waterford immigrant, purchased the 
historic 100 hectare property which lies 3.5 kilometres north of 
Calistoga, at the base of Mount St. Helena. The region lies on a 
complex terroir with a mixture of alluvial and volcanic soils, some on the flat, some on steeply sided hillsides and in 2010 was given its own AVA (American Viticultural Area) as a recognition of its uniqueness. Under Jim Barrett’s guidance the château’s vineyards were replanted and a modern winery was installed and in 1976 his vision was rewarded by winning the famous ‘Judgement of Paris’ when his Chardonnay beat 4 white Burgundies and five other Californian Chardonnays in a blind tasting that rocked the wine world. Today, Jim’s son, Bo, is at the helm and he has continued the tradition of making elegantly styled wines, both white and red.
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                    [Notes4] => One of the world`s finest estates, chateau montelena produced the winning white wine in the infamous ‘judgement of paris` tasting of 1976. now known as much for reds as for their whites, montelena is undoubtedly one of napa valley`s finest ambassadors and one of the world’s great producers.  “no other winery i know of has such an unbroken track record for making world class wines year after year.” – robert parker
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                    [Fax] =>  
                    [Email] =>  
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                    [Notes1] => In 1972 Jim Barrett, son of a Waterford immigrant, purchased the 
historic 100 hectare property which lies 3.5 kilometres north of 
Calistoga, at the base of Mount St. Helena. The region lies on a 
complex terroir with a mixture of alluvial and volcanic soils, some on the flat, some on steeply sided hillsides and in 2010 was given its own AVA (American Viticultural Area) as a recognition of its uniqueness. Under Jim Barrett’s guidance the château’s vineyards were replanted and a modern winery was installed and in 1976 his vision was rewarded by winning the famous ‘Judgement of Paris’ when his Chardonnay beat 4 white Burgundies and five other Californian Chardonnays in a blind tasting that rocked the wine world. Today, Jim’s son, Bo, is at the helm and he has continued the tradition of making elegantly styled wines, both white and red.
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                    [Notes4] => One of the world`s finest estates, chateau montelena produced the winning white wine in the infamous ‘judgement of paris` tasting of 1976. now known as much for reds as for their whites, montelena is undoubtedly one of napa valley`s finest ambassadors and one of the world’s great producers.  “no other winery i know of has such an unbroken track record for making world class wines year after year.” – robert parker
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VeganVegetarian

About this product +

Winemaking >

22 months 100% French 40% new. We believe our sense of stewardship along with a healthy, long-term perspective have been essential to Montelena’s success over the past 50 years. e Estate Vineyard, situated adjacent to the Chateau at the base of Mount St. Helena, profoundly embodies that outlook. From the beginning, the focus has been on farming the right way, instead of the convenient way. e right way takes time. e right way demands continuous investment. e right way encourages learning, adaptation and improvement. Most importantly, while the right way is always an option, it’s rarely the most convenient one for many wineries. But decades of careful attention, good decision-making, and a focus on vineyard health have aligned what’s best for the soil, best for the wine, and yes, best for this family farm. Even though the right way isn’t always the most expedient way, it’s the only option we consider. is is Montelena at its best. VINTAGE WEATHER What’s not to like about the weather in 2018? e late spring rains in March and April were very productive and the vines responded with plentiful growth into summer. Unusually low nighttime temperatures coupled with warm to hot days magnified the acidity in the fruit, creating elegant structure for extending aging, rather than overtly jammy flavor. Harvest was slow and methodical as subtle variations in soil and sun exposure magnified the typically nuanced differences in ripening and maturation.

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