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Chateau Montelena

Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2005

Calistoga, Napa Valley, California

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Jim Barrett’s dream of Chateau Montelena was that this wine, their flagship Cabernet Sauvignon, achieve the balance and complexity of flavors, aromas and textures to be considered among the great examples of Cabernet in the world. Almost since his first vintages in the 1970s, this wine has been a show-stopper that has everything in place, while revealing the majesty and distinctive character of the estate vineyard site in the northern Napa area that the Barretts led to recognition as its own appellation, Calistoga.

Today, the 50-year legacy of excellence in farming, crafting and blending powerful wines and continued innovation and attention to detail is what sets Chateau Montelena Winery apart.

Vineyard

This wine is 100% made with estate fruit. The diversity of soils and slopes where this is grown in Calistoga directly translates to layers of complexity and depth in the glass. The Estate vineyard is comprised of varied terrain, from flat to steep hillsides. The vineyard gently slopes downward towards its base, where a small patch of sedimentary soil was deposited by the settling of an ancient ocean or lake. Extending out from the Napa River is the alluvial soil, the most prevalent type on the property. In the back and outside areas of the vineyard are volcanic soils, formed by ancient lava flows caused by tectonic uplifting.

Winemaking

The wine is made up of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged in 100% French oak barrels (28% new) for 18 months. It exuberantly reflects the Calistoga vineyard, while balancing power with an extraordinary ability to age.

Vintage

We saw cool temperatures and an exceptionally wet spring, especially the month of May. June was mild, with some rain. July brought much needed steady warmth, but no major heat spikes, and continued into August. September started off cool, which was great for fruit ripening. At the end of the month, there was a heat wave, just in time to push the Cabernet to full maturity.

Tasting Note

Luscious and rich on the nose with great depth, we find top notes of violets, cassis, and rich, dark cherry, all riding over a base of warm leather, cocoa, wet stone and molasses. 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.

Food Pairing

This is a powerhouse wine that can stand up to any number of complex dishes, but can be best enjoyed with beef, lamb, game (deer, venison) and mature, hard cheeses.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation

Calistoga, Napa Valley, California

Farming

The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100% estate fruit, all of which is sustainably farmed and produced in their solar powered winery

Alcohol

14.2%

Suggested Retail Price

$160.00

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Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Bottle Shot

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Potter Valley Riesling

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Riesling is a hidden gem within the Chateau Montelena portfolio. Many people don’t know it exists, and once they do – they keep coming back for more. Stylistically, it is amazingly refreshing with notes of lemon blossom, honeysuckle and rose petal that are balanced by lively acidity.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

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The Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon embodies the balance of Montelena, classic “old-world” structure with ripe California fruit.  It is crafted from fruit coming from the Montelena vineyard and several prime neighboring vineyards, all in the Calistoga AVA. The Montelena Napa Cabernet is a wine that delivers immediate pleasure upon release, but in Montelena style, while age and develop beautifully.

Napa Valley Chardonnay

Napa Valley, California

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay combines the best of the old-world structure, acidity and grace, with California ripeness and texture. Having zero malolactic notes and limited oak, this style Chardonnay focuses on the importance of vintage, vineyard, and pure varietal character. The bright acidity builds nuanced complexity for 10-30 years. To showcase the ageability of this wine, the vintage of a half-decade prior is re-released alongside the current vintage.

Zinfandel

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Produced from grapes grown on the Montelena Estate vineyard, the Zinfandel is a classically-structured, subtle and refined wine. More than anything, it hearkens back to the way that Zinfandel was made in the 1960s and 1970s, with completely distinctive, rich and spicy California berry fruit, but a balance that made them no heavier than their Cabernet counterparts.