Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 1985
(Napa Valley, California) - [JL 93] [WA 92] [VM 92]

Chateau Montelena’s history is one of the deepest and most storied in the Napa Valley and California. Founded just north of Calistoga by a senator and San Francisco entrepreneur in 1882 at the turn of the century, it was one of the largest wineries in the state. Prohibition put an end to Montelena’s winemaking, and the next major era began in 1968, when Jim Barrett purchased the estate. He had a dream of creating wine at the level of the great First Growths of Bordeaux, and set about replanting the vineyard, outfitting the winery with modern equipment, and studying the processes necessary for farming and winemaking at the highest quality level. In 1976 Chateau Montelena put California at the forefront of the wine world by winning the "The Judgment of Paris."

Today Chateau Montelena’s distinct 19th century stone structure stands as a quality icon in Napa Valley, consistently producing some of the finest wines in California. Master Winemaker Bo Barrett, Jim’s son, now runs the estate with the help of Winemaker Matt Crafton and Vineyard Manager Dave Vella.

Tasting Notes:

The very low yields from our estate Cabernet vineyard make this wine the essence of Chateau Montelena. The unique characteristics - the "terroir" ­of Montelena Cabernet are concentrated and extraor­dinarily preeminent in this wine. Beginning with the deeply-tinted color, the nose follows with waves of constantly changing aroma: dried fruits, roses and vio­lets, the rocky vineyard soil, cassis and leather, and the oak and cellar aromas particular to Montelena Cabernet.

Following the bouquet, the wine has many layers of flavors. On the palate it is juicy, berry Cabernet Sauvignon and very well balanced. The natural acidity is very slightly elevated in this vintage, giving the wine especially good structure. The finish is long and rich.

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Jeff Leve:
If you’re seeking a classic California Cabernet Sauvignon to stack up against upper level Bordeaux in a blind tasting, this is the wine. Still young, fresh, vibrant and fruit filled, the wine is concentrated, balanced, rich, complex and aromatic. 93 Points

92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"Consistently a low to mid-ninety point Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Montelena's 1985 remains frightfully backward at nearly ten years of age. The 1985, 1987, and 1991 have the potential to be three of the longest-lived Montelena Cabernets this fine winery has ever produced. In this tasting, the 1985 was unevolved and youthful, with an opaque ruby/purple color, and a closed but promising nose of cassis fruit, earth, minerals, and oak. Full-bodied, marvelously concentrated and pure, this highly extracted, muscular, blockbuster effort requires a minimum of 5-6 more years of cellaring. A candidate for 20-30 years of longevity, it should prove to be one of the great Montelena Cabernet Sauvignons, but patience is required." - Robert Parker (Apr 1995)

92 Points - Vinous Media:
"Good full medium red. Some very ripe notes as well as a black tea coolness to the rather claret-like aromas of dark berries, licorice, menthol, tobacco and balsamic cedar. Perhaps the silkiest vintage to this point of the tasting and distinctly Bordeaux-like in its texture and complexity, delivering complex flavors of red and darker fruits, mocha, spices and flowers. Barrett noted that the picking weather was "too hot in 1984, too cold in 1985 and just right in 1986." But the fruit in 1985 benefitted from very good hang time. A second bottle of nearly equal quality (91) showed a stronger note of cedary oak, which gave the finish a faint dryness. (13.5% alcohol) (Drink between 2019-2029)" - Stephen Tanzer (May 2019)