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Chateau Montelena - Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
- Producer Chateau Montelena
- Country USA
- Region California
- Appellation Napa Valley
- UPC 7 33555 25102 2
Tasting notes
Density and concentration sum up the palate
nicely as tight-grained tannin is interwoven
among layers of fresh raspberry, mint, and
hazelnut. These slowly transition to a subtle
richness of molasses and fig that's almost
chewy enough to sink your teeth into.
nicely as tight-grained tannin is interwoven
among layers of fresh raspberry, mint, and
hazelnut. These slowly transition to a subtle
richness of molasses and fig that's almost
chewy enough to sink your teeth into.
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.
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.
Vinification
Chateau Montelena's Napa Cabernet
Sauvignon is made up of 86% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 1% Cabernet
Franc. The wine is aged in French and
Eastern European oak barrels (27% new)
for 16 months.
Sauvignon is made up of 86% Cabernet
Sauvignon, 13% Merlot and 1% Cabernet
Franc. The wine is aged in French and
Eastern European oak barrels (27% new)
for 16 months.
Vintage
The weather in 2014 couldn't have been
better. With persistent questions of long
term drought lingering, the mild, cool spring
that materialized eased those concerns as the
growing season stretched into a moderately
warm, pleasant summer. The textbook
conditions allowed the vines to set a bumper
crop. But with careful canopy management
and an eye on the forecast, Montelena had
the luxury of thinning as needed to yield
optimal ripeness as harvest began in late
August and continued steadily into October.
better. With persistent questions of long
term drought lingering, the mild, cool spring
that materialized eased those concerns as the
growing season stretched into a moderately
warm, pleasant summer. The textbook
conditions allowed the vines to set a bumper
crop. But with careful canopy management
and an eye on the forecast, Montelena had
the luxury of thinning as needed to yield
optimal ripeness as harvest began in late
August and continued steadily into October.
Wine
The wines at Chateau Montelena are often
described as having classic "old-world"
structure with ripe California fruit. What
that means is that these wines tend to have
more acid, lower pH and more moderate
alcohol levels as compared to some of
the flashy "modern" Cabs. This classic
chemistry allows them to pair very well with
a wide variety of dishes and sets them up for
graceful aging.
described as having classic "old-world"
structure with ripe California fruit. What
that means is that these wines tend to have
more acid, lower pH and more moderate
alcohol levels as compared to some of
the flashy "modern" Cabs. This classic
chemistry allows them to pair very well with
a wide variety of dishes and sets them up for
graceful aging.
