1979 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
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Tasting notes
Medium red with an amber edge. Livelier on the nose than the '78, offering aromas of blackcurrant, medicinal cherry and cedar complicated by minty and herbal nuances. Narrower than the '78 on entry, then juicy, intense and adamantly dry in the middle, dominated by its cedary quality. This very savory wine is ultimately drier than the '78, finishing with dusty tannins. And yet it comes across as less herbaceous today than it did in its youth. (13.5% alcohol)
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Lisa Perrotti-Brown MW, Wine Advocate
More reviews and scores
1978 was the first vintage for the Cabernet Sauvignon Estate. Medium to deep brick colored, the 1979 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate opens with expressive black forest cake, dried black currants and dried mint with touches of lavender sachets, tar, licorice and black soil plus a waft of game. Medium-bodied, the palate offers lovely harmony and savory depth, with a solid frame of chewy tannins and well-judged freshness, finishing long and earthy.
About the producer
Chateau Montelena is a historic Napa Valley estate that rose to global fame after its 1973 Chardonnay won the 1976 Judgment of Paris. Renowned for both its Chardonnay and Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, the winery continues to produce elegant, age-worthy wines with a legacy of excellence.