Chateau Montelena
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2022
Napa Valley, California
The wines at Chateau Montelena are often described as having classic “old-world” structure with ripe California fruit, and the Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is emblematic of this style. These wines tend to have more acid and more moderate alcohol levels as compared to some of the “cult” Cabs. This combination of classic chemistry and California sunshine allows them to offer immediate pleasure and complexity on release, and the ability to develop beautifully.
The wine is crafted from Montelena estate and prime neighboring vineyards located in the northern end of the Napa Valley, in and around Calistoga, next to primary or secondary tributaries of the Napa River. More specifically, each site has been selected for its alluvium soil profile, which provides an earthy, complex and concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is softened by the judicious addition of Merlot, more than the Estate Cabernet, and is aged similarly to the Estate Cabernet, just a few months fewer, and it requires fewer months in barrel before release.
Vineyard
Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is a beautiful expression of the AVA combining Cabernet Sauvignon from Calistoga with Merlot from the Oak Knoll District at the southern end of the valley. The rich, fluvial soils add suppleness and a fruit-forward freshness to the wine, while maintaining the bright acidity and ageability that set Montelena wines apart.
Winemaking
Winemaker Matt Crafton leads the production and farming teams at Chateau Montelena. His flexible winemaking approach is dependent on what is happening in the vineyard each year. The goal is to create an artisanal product that highlights each unique growing season and each distinct sense of place. Chateau Montelena is known for its age-worthy wines, classically-styled wine that stand the test of time and increase with richness and complexity over the ensuing decades.
Vintage
A warm, dry spring led to early budbreak. The first significant heat in May reduced fruit set and overall berry size. Despite the low yields, what remained was excellent.
Tasting Note
Pomegranate, plum & dried blackberry, with aromas of barrel toast, potpourri & black pepper. Bright fruit & tannin tie together with fresh mint & graphite. Finishing notes of earth, baking spices & toasted almond are complemented by chalky tannins.
Food Pairing
This is a wine that can handle bold flavors and is a great match for a juicy steak or event wild pheasant and duck. It also pairs well with dishes such as beef stew, pot roast, or grilled veal or lamb. Consider enhancing your pairings with rich sauces, like a dark mushroom sauce, red wine reductions, or a hearty peppercorn sauce.
Color
Red
Grape Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Appellation
Napa Valley, California
Alcohol
14.1%
Suggested Retail Price
$90
Reviews
Trade Materials
Other Wines by this Producer
Potter Valley Riesling
Mendocino, California
Riesling is a hidden gem within the Chateau Montelena portfolio. Many people don’t know it exists, and once they do – they keep coming back for more. Stylistically, it is amazingly refreshing with notes of lemon blossom, honeysuckle and rose petal that are balanced by lively acidity.
Estate Cabernet Sauvignon
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is Chateau Montelena’s flagship wine and a quality icon of Napa Valley. The winemaking team works obsessively and passionately with each vintage to capture the best expression of their historic terroir. This is a show-stopper that reveals the perfect blend of flavors, aromas and textures to reach the pinnacle of balance.
Napa Valley Chardonnay
Napa Valley, California
Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay combines the best of the old-world structure, acidity and grace, with California ripeness and texture. Having zero malolactic notes and limited oak, this style Chardonnay focuses on the importance of vintage, vineyard, and pure varietal character. The bright acidity builds nuanced complexity for 10-30 years. To showcase the ageability of this wine, the vintage of a half-decade prior is re-released alongside the current vintage.
Zinfandel
Napa Valley, California
Produced from grapes grown on the Montelena Estate vineyard, the Zinfandel is a classically-structured, subtle and refined wine. More than anything, it hearkens back to the way that Zinfandel was made in the 1960s and 1970s, with completely distinctive, rich and spicy California berry fruit, but a balance that made them no heavier than their Cabernet counterparts.