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Last Updated: 09/17/08
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Chateau Montelena Retrospective Tasting

A wine list by Gary Cowan, Manager Fine Wines Internation & National Sales Director Vineyard 7 & 8
I attended a sit down tasting of Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernets recently and what a tasting it was. Vintages dating back to 1979 were poured and it is a pleasure to report that almost across the board each vintage was more than holding its own. The wines from the 1990s were especially impressive, especially the 1991 and 1997. The more recent releases are no less distinguished. You could make a case that no winery has produced such a high level of excellence over such an extended time.
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1997 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate Napa Valley

Gary Cowan's Rating:
Tasting Date: 09/08/2008; Location: Sit down tasting
A great year for Montelena and the wine is at its peak now.Ripe flavors paired with soft tannins make this a vintage for the near, rather than the long term.
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Priced From: $159.98
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1991 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate Napa Valley

Gary Cowan's Rating:
Tasting Date: 09/08/2008; Location: Sit down tasting
My favorite vintage of the older wines tasted. This is a big, ripe wine with tremendous concentration. It has firm tannins and plenty of life ahead of it. Just entering its prime.
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Priced From: $120.00
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1999 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate Napa Valley

Gary Cowan's Rating:
Tasting Date: 09/08/2008; Location: Sit down tasting
A cooler vintage year resulted in a very elegant Cabernet for Montelena. Lovely balance and well integrated tannins. Drinking very well now but can age for another 4-5 years.
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1986 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate Napa Valley

Gary Cowan's Rating:
Tasting Date: 09/08/2008; Location: Sit down tasting
A drought year and the only vintage from this tasting that was not showing well in my opinion. Odd dill pickle and plum aromas mixed with mocha and bittersweet chocolate flavors.
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2004 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate Napa Valley

Gary Cowan's Rating:
Tasting Date: 09/08/2008; Location: Sit down tasting
The 2004 Montelena reminds me of a young 1991. It was a very warm vintage and the wine is big boned and intense but beautifully balanced with ripe, fine grained tannins. It is one of the best Cabernets in Montelena'... more
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2006 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate Napa Valley

Gary Cowan's Rating:
Tasting Date: 09/08/2008; Location: Sit down tasting
The recently bottled 2005 vintage was still very primal but it has all the earmarks of a very successful vintage. It is full-bodied with complex aromatics and like the 2004, fine grained tannins. It has a long life ahead of it.
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Priced From: $140.00
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1982 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate Napa Valley

Gary Cowan's Rating:
Tasting Date: 09/08/2008; Location: Sit down tasting
A difficult vintage with a lot of rain at the wrong times. Montelena did better than most inthis difficult vintage and the 1982 vintage still has some life ahead of it. Drinking like a well aged classic Bordeaux now.
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Average cost for wines on this list: $258.16