1974 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
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Tasting notes
A blend of three Sonoma appellations at the time. Medium to deep brick colored, the 1974 Cabernet Sauvignon Sonoma opens with tons of spice box, potpourri, incense, leather and menthol notes with a touch of truffles. Medium-bodied, the palate is laden with layers of spices and powdery tannins, with a wicked acid backbone giving lift to the long, earthy finish.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Robert Parker
More reviews and scores
At close to 45 years of age, this still has its old school charm intact, with its tobacco, cedar wood, cassis and tart, red berry profile. Medium/full bodied, and with a bit too much tart over sweet fruit, with rustic tannins in the finish, it\'s still a fun look back at the old school, California Cabernet Sauvignon. 90 Points
A very handsome bottle of this wine that did so wonderfully well in the famous first Judgment of Paris tasting – a slightly earlier vintage. Wonderfully vibrant still with masses of obviously Cabernet ripe fruit and great balance. Admirably vigorous still. In much, much better shape than any 1974 red bordeaux. (JR)
Last Tasted 6/94 Delicious when released, this wine continues to hold its rich, cassis, black-raspberry, and mineral-scented and flavored fruit amazingly well. It is supple, deep, and concentrated with no amber at the edge. There is some underlying acidity, but there is not a hard edge to be found in this fresh, clean wine with a persuasive finish.
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.