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Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2022 750ml
🇺🇸 Pomegranate, plum & graphite with classic structure.
In 1976, a bottle of Château Montelena Chardonnay shocked the wine world by beating the finest white Burgundies at the Judgment of Paris. That moment put California wine on the map — and Montelena on a pedestal it has never left. Founded in 1882 in Calistoga at the northern end of Napa Valley, the estate has spent over a century building one of California's most enduring legacies, defined by...Show More >
In 1976, a bottle of Château Montelena Chardonnay shocked the wine world by beating the finest white Burgundies at the Judgment of Paris. That moment put California wine on the map — and Montelena on a pedestal it has never left. Founded in 1882 in Calistoga at the northern end of Napa Valley, the estate has spent over a century building one of California's most enduring legacies, defined by a commitment to classic structure, restraint, and wines that age with grace.
The Château Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2022 750ml is sourced from the Montelena estate and prime neighboring vineyards around Calistoga, on alluvium soils that deliver earthy, complex, and concentrated Cabernet Sauvignon. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, aged in oak, it reveals layers of pomegranate, plum, and dried blackberry, with aromas of barrel toast, potpourri, and black pepper. On the palate, bright fruit and firm tannins tie together with fresh mint and graphite, finishing with earth, baking spices, toasted almond, and chalky tannins. More acid, more balance, more longevity than the typical Napa Cab — this is old-world structure with California sunshine.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Pomegranate, plum, dried blackberry, barrel toast, potpourri, and black pepper
- Palate: Bright fruit, firm tannins, fresh mint, graphite, dark chocolate, and tobacco
- Finish: Long and lingering with earth, baking spices, toasted almond, and chalky tannins
Wine Details
- Cabernet Sauvignon & Merlot
- Napa Valley — Calistoga, California
- Alluvium soils | Aged in oak
- Vintage: 2022 | 750ml
- Pairs with: steak, grilled lamb, braised short ribs, wild game, mushroom risotto
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Wine Information:
Country: United States
Region: California
Sub-Region: Napa Valley
Appellation: Napa County
Variety: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot
Type: Reds
Size: 750ml
Choose when time is of the essence
"Deliciously savoury and herbaceous, this Cabernet from the iconic Montelena Estate is a welcome throwback. Wild anise, turned earth, and wild lavender flowers announce the aromatics, followed closely by dusty red berries. The palate is fresh and lively with savoury dill and bay leaf notes and a tremendous chalky texture that envelopes a core of bright, concentrated berries. Perfectly tart blackberries, smoky clove, and white pepper provide brightness and spice. This delicious Cabernet's finish is marked by eucalyptus and mint."
Decanter Magazine - 95 points
"The 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley includes 9% Merlot from a vineyard in Oak Knoll and spent 16 months in 28% new French oak, with a bit of Hungarian as well. It offers up textbook notes of cherries and redcurrants, plus a hint of vanilla, all in an easy-drinking, medium to full-bodied format. "
The Wine Advocate - 91 points
"Solidly built, showing an array of singed vanilla and cocoa along the edges, with a core of steeped plum and blackberry compote flavors. The slightly chewy finish is scored by tar and savory accents, giving this a bit of an old-school bent in the end. Best from 2023."
Wine Spectator - 90 points
