Chateau Montelena - Cabernet Sauvignon Estate 2010

Estate

Chateau Montelena's rich history began on a chilly fall morning when Alfred L. Tubbs spaded over and inspected the soil where he thought of planting estate vineyards. He'd heard the Napa Valley was the best place to grow grapes in California. A deal was struck and in January of 1882 the San Francisco entrepreneur owned 254 acres of rugged land just two miles north of Calistoga at the base of Mount Saint Helena. The soils are well drained, stony and loose – perfect for the vine cuttings he would plant.

Tasting notes

The nose is loaded with rich aromas of black fruits and spices. Notes of blackberry solicit memories of hot summer afternoons while clove, allspice, vanilla, and hints of cocoa tease with thoughts of baked goodies. Emerging from these layers is a core of brandied cherries, light oak, and a hint of anise. This wines shows a smooth entry that steadily builds to a full, fleshy mid-palate, then evolves seamlessly into a rich, spicy finish that invites you back for more.

Vinification

Chateau Montelena's Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is made up of 98.75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1.25% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged in 100% French oak barrels (29% new) for 22 months.

Vintage

There are 3 kinds of growing seasons: cool, warm, and "just right." Cooler vintages, in particular, exemplify the truly exceptional nature of this piece of land - the grapes receive the prolonged hang time that is ideal fur flavor development without getting any excess heat. These conditions enable us to craft classic, Old World-style wines that showcase the incredible fruit our Estate produces.

Wine

The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is grown in one of the world’s most remarkable winegrowing properties. The site’s diversity of soils and slopes translates directly into the layers of complex flavors in this flagship wine.

USA

California

Napa Valley

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