Red Blend

Item Description

Montelena Estate Cabernet – Rare. Unique. Distinctive.

From one of the very few 35+ year old Cabernet vineyards in Napa Valley, a blue chip estate winery whose name is synonymous with excellence, you have the opportunity to be the winning bidder of this exquisite twelve-year vertical of The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignons.

1998 RP-93
The wine has the typical dark Montelena color and density in the glass. The ripe fruit comes across with big and spicy varietal characteristics, lots of cassis and earth. The tannins are supple and elegant. With the amount of big fruit on the palate it is quite soft on the entry and then firms up to the rich and layered finish. 

1999 RP-95; ST-92
The palate profile has very bright front and middle flavors with intense Montelena earthy berry fruit, classically balanced with good acid from the cool vintage, all flowing evenly to a smooth and elegant tannin structure. This is a perfect example of the rich fruit of the Montelena Estate vineyard tightly woven into a classic Cabernet Sauvignon with balance and elegance. 

2000 RP-90; ST-90
"Red-ruby. Claret-like aromas of black cherry, plum, currant, cocoa powder, loam, smoke and spice. Rich, dense and supple, with depth of flavor for the year and very good vinosity. Rather showy wine, with the characteristic medicinal-but-sweet flavors of Montelena. Tannins spread out nicely on the lingering finish." – Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar

2001 RP-95; ST-93
"One of Bo Barrett’s finest efforts. Dense ruby/purple with a nose of crushed rocks intermixed with crème de cassis and a hint of licorice... full-bodied, pure, and deep." – Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate 

2002 RP-95; ST-93
"A relatively flamboyant effort. Its opaque purple color is followed by a gloriously pure nose of crème de cassis, licorice, earth, truffles, and flowers. Full-bodied, powerful, and rich, with high tannin as well as concentration." - Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate 

2003 RP-93; ST-91
The wine is a typically bright ruby red, with opaque density and color, which leads to a nice array of aromas: sweet black currant jam, with hints of black cherry and flowers. There is much fruit in the nose, not unexpected considering the excellent ripeness achieved in this vintage. The unique blend of soils leads to very pleasing layers of complexity. On the palate it delivers intense, broad and sweet fruit, layered with spicy cherry, and even a bit of chocolate. The overall structure is ripe and rich, pure and well delineated.

2004 – WA-94; ST-93
“A broad, flavorful, concentrated style with plenty of black currant, licorice, and spice. Another beauty from probably the most consistent winery for Cabernet Sauvignon over the last three decades.” – Robert M. Parker, Jr., The Wine Advocate

2005 – ST-93; RP-91
Dark and powerful in the glass with great density and saturation, this wine grabs your attention from the first glance. The palate opens with red raspberry and blackcurrants before building to mouth-filling ripe cherry, a beautiful acid balance, and round rich velvety tannins. The incredible intensity of the palate fades slowly leaving a finish of dried fruits and hints of clove with remarkable weight and tremendous persistence. 

2006 ST-92; RP-92
"Bright ruby-red with aromas of blackberry, cassis and boysenberry. Juicy, intensely flavored and quite fresh." – Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar 

2007 RP-94; ST-93
The intense deep crimson color in the glass pulls you in, while the huge powerful nose captivates; layer on layer of spice, cedar, earth, and tobacco - all over a rich base of ripe black cherry, blackcurrants, cassis, and blueberry jam. The hook is set with the first whiff. Rich, round, juicy and mouth-coating, the palate delivers black cherry and black currant before moving on to brighter red fruits. More subtle tones of butterscotch, anise, and sweet oak complement the fruit beautifully. The huge classic structure of fine grain tannin and firm acidity persist all the way through to the clean crisp spicy finish. 

2008 RP-92; ST-91
“The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a gorgeous, mid-weight wine laced with mint, cassis, sweet herbs and tobacco.” – Antonio Galloni

2009 WA-93; ST-93
One look at the dense crimson ruby color and you know that this is a big wine.  The nose opens with big black cherry, currants, and plum spice cake notes.  Underpinning all that fruit are layers of smoke, anise, and very subtle oak tones.  The palate entry is soft and round, but builds quickly with loads of fine velvety tannin, huge black cherry, and red fruits that persist through to a rich finish layered with spice.