Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Chateau Montelena Winery

Please see our 2014 updated review at Chateau Montelena Winery Revisited

Chateau Montelena Winery is one of the more famous Napa Valley wines, making headlines back in 1976 when nine French judges voted the Chateau Montelena 1973 Chardonnay the best Chardonnay over some very famous white Burgundy and other Chardonnay wines. I bought a case of that 1973 Chardonnay back then, and it really was a wonderful wine.  The tasting at Montelena is $20 and includes five different wines. (They are also in the Napa Neighbor Program.) They make some great wines and the grounds are really beautiful. It is one of the Napa Valley wineries that everyone should visit at least once.


Chateau Montelena building


Our taste was the Chateau Montelena 2010 Riesling ($25) that had a light nose with apricot and apple on the palate. It seemed more in the California style than the German or Alsatian. The Chateau Montelena 2009 Chardonnay ($50) was pleasant with only a little oak and no malolactic conversion. It had some peach on the nose and was somewhat soft and citrus-like on the palate.  The Chateau Montelena 2007 Zinfandel was a decent, rather light Zinfandel with some distinct vanilla notes.  Better yet was the Chateau Montelena 2008 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon at $49.  It had definite cherry and chocolate on the palate that you can't miss and was full bodied but not over powering.  Even better was the Chateau Montelena 2007 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon ($135) that was rated 94 by Robert Parker.  This was a truly wonderful Cabernet and well worth the price. I think many people would really enjoy the 2008 regular cab but might want the 2007 Estate cab for that special occasion. Service was helpful and friendly.


Chateau Montelena pond
 
Chateau Montelena Winery
1429 Tubbs Ln
Calistoga, CA 94515
(707) 942-5105
Date of visit: November 23, 2011 

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