Description
92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar Bright ruby-red. Captivating, high-pitched aromas of cassis, licorice pastille, bitter chocolate, violet, rose petal and mocha. Juicy and tightly wound, with fresh acidity energizing the middle palate but keeping the wine's dark berry flavors restrained today. There's a lightly peppery quality that gives away the vintage, but this highly aromatic wine is a big success for the year and very well made. (ST) (5/2014)
92 points Wine Enthusiast This cold rainy year has a bad reputation (some in Napa didn?t even pick), but the Montelena is one of the valley?s successes, with Bordeaux-like elegance, a red fruit profile, bright acidity and silky-soft tannins. Typically, the blend includes 20% hillside vineyard grapes - for this wine it was 35%. Aromas of lavender, earth, bay leaves and spice jump out of the glass and rich minerality ties together the savoury, subtle flavors. (EM) (6/2018)
91 points James Suckling A red with blueberry and cherry character, plus hints of bark. Medium body with fine tannins and a savory finish. Fine wine for the vintage. (JS) (5/2014)
91 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 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. (LPB) (2/2018)