Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Napa Valley

Country of Origin: USA
Region: Napa Valley
Type: Red Wine
Grape Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon/Cabernet Franc
Vintage: 2015
Size: 750ml
Alcohol Volume / ABV: 14.1%
Body: Full
Sweetness: Dry

Why We Love This Wine

The principle behind their flagship wine is decidedly simple: it is unapologetically Montelena. With over 40 years of experience in this dynamic & distinctive vineyard, they've recognized the value of blazing their own trail outsie of others' conventions & norms. It takes confidence in their land as well as their people, farming, & winemaking to buck the trends of fads that perpetually morph & meander throughout the wine world. Most of all, they set the standard for themselves, not relative to the rest of Napa Valley or vintage expectations, but based on their own potential & drive to make their wine better every year. It's a bit risky and is certainly not the path of least resistance but it is inherently in their DNA, their legacy, & their future. Incredibly floral & opulent on the nose, Red Bing cherry & raspberry aromas are buttressed by rich notes of cocoa, hazelnut, & Earl Grey tea with added black pepper spice & cedary nuances ably complementing its freshness. On the palate, it is dense but light contrasting a bright acidity & velvety tannins with loads of blackberry sorbet, plum sauce, and strawberry jam with underpinnings of a fresh fig & marzipan lined richness cohesively bringing all the disparate elements together. Baking spices abound on the finish together with coffee bean, star anise, and a caramel like sweetness coalescing beautifully with fresh blueberry & cinnamon. Enjoy this with Grilled Veal or Lamb in rich sauces like a Dark Mushroom Sauce, Red Wine Reductions, or a Hearty Peppercorn Sauce.

Winemaker / Tasting Notes

Indicative of the ripeness of this vintage, the opulent nose immediately reveals dried cherry, baking spices, and vanilla that intermingle with softer notes of espresso bean, pipe tobacco, and lavender. On the palate, pronounced dark fruit with abundant blackberry jam & plum notes slowly ceding the stage to intensely vibrant tannins and bright acid characters. A touch of smokiness punctuates the mid-palate unearthing anise & cocoa characters which serve as a precursor to latent manifestations of of rhubarb, ginger, & black pepper notes. The finish ties the nose & the palate together with fresh raspberries, a subtle hint of mint, & an invigorating freshness.