1999 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Calistoga Cuvée
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Tasting notes
Defty balanced, with ripe fruit and fresh leather, currant, blackberry and black cherry flavors. Tannins are supple, ripe and well-integrated, making this an ideal choice for near-term drinking. An excellent value.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
James Laube, Wine Spectator
More reviews and scores
Bright ruby-red. High-toned aromas of redcurrant, leather, tobacco, cedar and nuts. Fairly supple and nicely concentrated, if in a somewhat rustic style. Could use a bit more nuance. Finishes with tongue-coating, slightly dry-edged tannins.
Bright ruby-red. Perfumed aromas of cassis, black cherry, currant and licorice; this struck me as rather Bordeaux-like, and much more primary than the '98. High-pitched flavors of briary berries framed by firm acidity and a note of citrus skin. The firm acids and slightly dry tannins will need some time to come into better harmony. This bottling formerly was labelled as cabernet sauvignon, but the estate will simply call it Calistoga Cuvee as it may eventually have less than the minimum 75% component required for varietal labelling.
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.