Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 750 mL
(Napa Valley, California) - [DM 99] [WA 96+] [VM 96]

Notes from the Winemaker:

Farming requires optimism. That’s especially true in viticulture, given the timeline to transition bare ground into a finished wine.

At a minimum, it takes three years from gently hand-planting each individual vine to the first harvest. However, that initial crop is quite small and it will be another two to three years before the vines really hit their stride. After harvest, fruit destined for the Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon will spend an additional two years in barrel before bottle aging in our cellar prior to release. At best, it’s six solid years of farming, winemaking and cellaring before we can pull that first cork. That type of commitment requires a fundamental belief in ourselves, our work and our mission.

We have to believe that going the extra mile, pushing a little harder and accounting for every small detail is not only worth it, but will be appreciated years from now. Moreover, we have to be curious, creative and daring for the future of each wine and the land we steward. In short, we have to believe that the future will be better and we cherish our small contribution.

-Winemaker Matt Crafton

Tasting Notes

NOSE: There is so much perfume in this wine: fresh flowers and lavender are bolstered by ripe plum, sandalwood and cherry compote. There’s also an incredibly appealing note of Earl Grey or bergamot that lifts the entire aromatic profile. Lingering behind the fruit is where the action starts as black pepper, vanilla, crushed rock and soy are revealed with patience.

PALATE: The bright, zesty acidity of the vintage is immediately apparent as the fruit on the palate leans toward raspberry and cranberry, at least initially. They’re followed by a rush of chalky, angular tannins that at first frame the acidity, but then serve to mellow it. Here, the fruit turns dark once again; but this time it expresses as blueberry jam and ripe blackberry before ushering in more savory notes of cedar and mint that are very characteristic of Montelena Cabernet. There is no doubt that this is a young wine that will need a few years of cellaring before coming into balance. at said, the freshness and purity of the vineyard character are very enticing, even at this stage.

FINISH: As the palate softens, the finish begets more structure, present as espresso bean and cacao initially, but baking spices and a subtle sweetness after a few moments. e contrast between the soft fruit and texture is one of the amazing characteristics of this wine, which should continue to increase in depth and complexity over time.

VINTAGE WEATHER: Late spring rains and abundant sunshine spurred significant vine growth—meaning big canopies, big clusters and big berries. e vines soaked up the Calistoga warmth through August and as expected, yields were high as harvest began. Patience is even more important in years such as 2019 since flavor, color and texture tend to take longer to develop. Consequently, the level of precision in deciding what to harvest and when to do so drives quality and wine potential even more than normal. Accordingly, harvest proceeded in fits and starts as we chased balance, finesse and concentration in the vineyard through September and into October.

Technical Data

HARVEST DATES September 17 – October 15

ALCOHOL 14.1%

BLEND 99% Cabernet Sauvignon 0.5% Petit Verdot 0.5% Cabernet Franc

BARREL AGING 22 months in 100% French oak, 40% new

BOTTLING DATE August 2021

Ratings & Reviews

99 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"The flagship wine of Chateau Montelena sourced from the winery's estate vineyard adjacent to the chateau near the base of Mount St Helena. Compact and restrained at first; give it some air and good things will come. Bright red-toned fruits and dried wild herb notes are tethered to rich cedar spices. Well-endowed with impressive depth and concentration, particularly evident in the mid-palate which is weighted by crushed stones and earthen minerality. Elongated tannins are crisp while acids are firm and tangy. Those capable of looking past its upfront approachability will be rewarded with patience as this wine will evolve and shine over the next four decades." - Jonathan Cristaldi (June 2022)

96+ Points - Wine Advocate:
"I tasted the soon-to-be-released 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate from two bottles, one freshly opened and one that had been opened the day before. Both were clearly outstanding, with the freshly opened bottle being just a bit tighter and less luxuriously textured but obviously packed with potential. Mixed currants and cherries appear on the nose, joined by hints of dark chocolate, while the palate is medium to full-bodied, rich, expansive and velvety, with a lingering, mouthwatering finish." - Joe Czerwinski (Mar 2023)

96 Points - Vinous Media:
"The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is heady and quite extroverted, especially compared with the 2018 tasted alongside it. Readers will have a very hard time keeping their hands off this jewel of a wine. Silky, plush tannins wrap around a core of dark fruit, chocolate, lavender, spice and leather. The combination of a generous, opulent style with the classically-leaning Montelena style makes for a hugely appealing Cabernet to drink over the next two decades or more." - Antonio Galloni (Feb 2023)