2012 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate
Market price
Buying options
Tasting notes
24 months in French oak (30% new). 98.5% Cabernet Sauvignon, 1% Cabernet Franc, 0.5% Petit Verdot. From a 300-cl bottle. Still very youthful with a drying finish and slightly hollow mid palate. Really illustrates how long these Cabs need in bottle. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
Jeff Leve, The Wine Cellar Insider
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is one of the more open-knit, young Cabernets I can remember tasting at Montelena. Crushed flowers, sweet tobacco, mint, red cherries and plums are some of the signatures. Resonant and silky, the 2012 will drink well pretty much upon release, although today it comes across as less expressive than it was last year. Even so, there is plenty of vintage 2012 radiance and suppleness throughout.
Nice wine here, with lots of fresh, sweet, juicy black cherries, blackberry, pepper and earthy qualities. The tannins are ripe and smooth, finishing with ample fresh, ripe dark berries. Like all Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon wines, this will probably be much better in a decade.
From bottle a solid 93. Surprisingly lush and charming for a young Montelena, the 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate has a deep ruby/purple color, with earthy, black cherry and blackcurrants. The wine has very ripe tannins, and is medium to full-bodied with outstanding purity and balance. Most Montelena estate Cabernets have traditionally required patience, but this one is set for drinking now and over the next 20 years.
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.