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Chateau Montelena Winery Visit
Tasting the Chateau Montelena Wines
Jim Barrett took over Chateau Montelena in 1972 to create a great Bordeaux-style wine. He became famous in 1976 for his second vintage of Chardonnay, and now creates both reds and whites that win awards. The red vines planted in 1972 are still being used today, and Jim has worked to keep the flavors consistant over the years.
1999 Potter Valley Riesling
This wine is only sold at the winery. Riesling is a cool weather grape, and these come 2 hours north of the winery from Mendocino County. The riesling was light, fruity and citrussy with tropical aromas of pineapple and banana. Very flavorful. This would go well with thai or asian cuisine.
2000 Napa Valley Chardonnay
Amy explained that this was the same style from the famous 1973 vintage. "It's not what's become normal - buttery, oaky - it's very clear and fresh. The philosophy we share with the French, but our technique is very different." They do not use a 2nd fermentation, which makes Chardonnays buttery and creamy while losing the acidity and fresh fruit flavors. The Chardonnay was indeed rich and fruity, with pear and herb flavors. It had a smooth, velvety mouth feel and a nice, long finish.
2000 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
These wines used to be labelled as Primitivo, but genetic testing in the early 90s proved that Primitivo is actually the same family as Zinfandel. At 14.6% alcohol, this is well balanced with medium body and tannins and a long finish. It is jammy rather than raisiny.
1999 Napa Valley Caberent Sauvignon
Amy explained the difference between this and the estate CS. The estate is 100% CS, while this is a blend of up to 20% Merlot. The grapes for this "Calistoga Cuvee" come from within a 4 mile radius. This wine is able to be drunk on purchase, while the estate is really meant to age. The winemakers aim for a consistant flavor - "They're tasting for Montelena, they know what a Montelena should taste like." This involves flavors of cedar, earth, and fresh fruit. We foudn the Napa Valley Cab to have a good, medium body, with spicy cedar flavors and, yes, fresh fruit.
1999 Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
At $125/bottle, this is one of the premiere Cabs of Napa Valley. Amy opened it 2 hours before pouring it for us. The wine is usually 100% Cab with perhaps 2% Cabernet Franc in certain vintages. Amy said, "The Napa Valley expresses the district, but the Estate Cabernet expresses the vineyard." We found it full, rich, juicy, with a wonderful balance and mouth feel. The finish was long and delicious. The wine easily ages for 10 to 30 years. Amy described the berries used for this wine as resembling blueberries, they were so compact and dense.
The glassware used in this tasting room? Riedel!
Main Page for our Montelena Visit
Going on the Montelena Tour
Photo Gallery from our Montelena Visit
Tasting the Montelena Wines
Paris Ranking: 1st, Chardonnay
GPS Location: N 38 36.117' W 122 35.860'
Website: Montelena.com
Winery Reviews Main Listing
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