Gang of Pour - Whirlwind Weekend in Wine Country

Chateau Montelena Tasting Notes
By George Heritier

1999 Chateau Montelena Potter Valley Riesling: This pale straw has a crisp green apple perfume that expands on the palate, isn’t too sweet and has nice spicy nuances. Older vintages tasted shortly thereafter show just how well this wine will age. Who says you can’t make excellent Riesling in California?

Morgan Ong (left)

1998 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay: A pale to medium straw, this gets only 10% barrel fermentation with no malolactic. Ralph described the bouquet as a “Juicy Fruit nose;” I noted pure rich Chardonnay character with a very subtle hint of maple syrup. The fruit isn’t too rambunctious, and it has firm acidity. Older vintages tasted later prove that these also age very well.

1997 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Saint Vincent, approximately 80% Zinfandel, 18% Sangiovese, 2% Primitivo: This ruby dark garnet is all about dark fruit with no bright notes at this time; it reminds me of an Italian red with its dry tannins and zippy acidity. Rich dark berry/chocolate/ anise/earth flavors and aromas aren’t at all sweet, but they do open and improve with air. Ralph says this is “perfect with pork.”

1997 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Bo says this lovely dark garnet is the best wine he’s ever made, and apparently, he’s not known for making such statements very often. It sees 20% new oak with a medium toast and exhibits a deep cassis/sea air bouquet. The big rich fruit speaks for itself without any frills or cosmetics, showing black currant/cassis/dark chocolate flavors in a tight young package. This obviously needs years to show everything it has, but all the elements are there for a great Cab. (Back to Montelena current releases section)

OLDER WHITES

1991 Chateau Montelena Potter Valley Riesling: This medium straw was a big hit, with its lovely rich green apple flavors and aromas that show more than a hint of petrol. Fairly dry and easily my favorite white of the day, this should only improve for at least a few more years.

1992 Chateau Montelena Potter Valley Riesling: Medium straw, with excellent Riesling character, this was practically identical to the ’91, only with less petrol.

1994 Chateau Montelena Potter Valley Riesling: Another medium straw, this has a certain pungent quality to the rich green apple/Riesling flavors and aromas. Bree noted a “hint of Zippo.”

1976 Chateau Montelena Napa-Alexander Chardonnay: This pale gold is soft, rich and dry, showing mature notes of eau de vie/pear. A very nice 24 year old Chardonnay.

1979 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay: Medium gold, this is perhaps a little beyond its best, but still shows nice beeswax/eau de vie/butterscotch character. More an intellectual experience than a sensuous one for this taster. (Back to Montelena older whites section)

ZINFANDELS

1984 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Zinfandel John Rolleri Reserve: This rusty ruby garnet shows a slightly musty quality to the spicy Zinberry nose. Wow! Rich raspberry/cream/spice flavors wash across the palate with plenty of acidity and some tannins still as well. An amazing wine for its age!

1985 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Zinfandel: Rusty dark garnet in color, this has harder fruit, not being as ebullient as the ’84. Still, it’s quite alive and would pair well with a grilled piece of beef or lamb.

1987 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Zinfandel: Slightly rusty dark garnet, this is all cedar and Zinberry; soft and mature, rich and claret-like. Yumm!

1990 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Zinfandel: Dark garnet with just a hint of brick, this exudes a deep rich spicy raspberry/black raspberry bouquet, gaining an added note of chocolate on the palate, again with good acidity and some tannins still to resolve. It finishes long and impressively.

1991 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Zinfandel: Corked; bummer.

1992 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Zinfandel: Slightly rusty dark garnet with a red currant/raspberry nose, the flavors echo with a soft mouthfeel, good acidity, and mostly resolved tannins.

These Zins are all excellent (except for the unfortunate ’91), and have a certain Italian quality about them; I made a point of tasting through the entire lineup that was present before moving on to the “main event,” the Estate Cabernets. (Back to Montelena Zinfandel's section)

ESTATE CABERNETS

1980 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: This rusty dark garnet is a bit cloudy, yet it shows red currant/cassis/chocolate character that is rich and tasty. Good acidity here, and tannins are mostly resolved.

1982 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Rusty dark garnet with cassis/cedar flavors and aromas, this still has good tannins and acidity. Serious stuff.

1984 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Slightly rusty dark garnet with cedar/cigar/ cassis/chocolate character, this is soft, rich and delicious.

1985 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: This rusty dark garnet features more of the same cedar/cigar/cassis flavors and aromas, being smooth, rich and harmonious.

1986 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Dark garnet with little brick, this has a deep, rich cassis/plum nose and some added tobacco on the palate. Huge and impressive, this is still all primary fruit with no secondary nuances, and it’s not too tannic to enjoy now.

1987 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Dark garnet with a tinge of rust, I was somewhat surprised to find barnyard dominating the cassis on the nose. There’s plenty of acidity and good tannins to go along with the cassis/plum flavors that are just showing a hint of cedar and a slightly astringent finish.

1988 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Dark garnet with a deep, rich cassis/plum bouquet, the flavors are somewhat hard and may be missing something on the midpalate, which can perhaps be attributed to the vintage.

1989 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Inky garnet with cassis/cedar and a hint of coffee on the nose, the flavors echo with surprising power and richness considering the vintage. Still, not quite as impressive of the earlier models.

1990 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: This dark garnet features intense cassis/plum/black currant flavors and aromas, significant tannins and serious acidity. This obviously needs a lot of time in the cellar.

1991 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Inky garnet with intense cassis/blackberry character, this has huge fruit, but it’s just way too young.

1992 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Inky garnet with cassis/blackberry flavors and aromas; not as massive as the ’91, and almost pretty by comparison.

1993 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Dark garnet, but not as inky as some of these; not as dense either. Still the basic cassis/plum package, but on a somewhat smaller frame. Typical of the vintage.

1994 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: This inky garnet is all cassis/blackberry and a little sweeter than some, but still shows significant tannins and acidity.

1995 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: Inky garnet with an ever so slightly yeasty quality to the cassis/plum/blackberry flavors and aromas, this is surprisingly approachable for so young a wine and quite delish! (Back to Montelena Cabernet section)

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