Bo Barrett, the CEO of Chateau Montelena, put together a retrospective of the winery’s primarily Cabernet Sauvignon-based wines from the 1970s to the present. It was meant as a testimony to how these wines can age, something that is rarely tested in Northern California as a number producers don’t hold back enough stocks of their older vintages.

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Ray Isle of Food & Wine highlights Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2015 in his article “40 Wines That Changed the Way We Drink.” In it, he states, “Cabernet wasn’t California’s only triumph in Paris in the United States’ bicentennial year. The 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay…also took top honors. Today Montelena’s Chardonnay is still made in the same restrained, elegant style—the graceful 2015 vintage ($58) being a fine example.”

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Roger Morris of The Drinks Business joined the Chateau Montelena “Dream” Tasting in NYC on June 27th. Bo Barrett took a room full of eager guests through 5 decades of Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, dating back to 1974 and all served out of magnum. Morris states, “Each of the wines was sound, and each vintage tasted as though it had more years to age. Surprisingly, there was a great continuity of style between vintages in spite of the addition of better machinery, new oak barrels, drip irrigation and the addition of hillside estate vineyards…”

The “Dream” refers to Jim Barrett’s vision for creating world class Cabernet Sauvignon that could, like the great First Growths of Bordeaux, stand the test of time. It’s no secret that Montelena has remained a pillar of the classicly balanced California Cabernet camp, and their wines do indeed age in an extraordinary way.

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Check out this great video of Chateau Montelena’s new winemaker Matt Crafton explaining their work with Fish Friendly Farming to improve their stretch of the Napa River.

“A total knock-out, the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate captures all the potential of this great site. Powerful, voluptuous and structured, yet very much within the context of classicism that has defined these wines for several decades. Dark red cherry, stone fruits, smoke, licorice and scorched earth, along with beams of tannin, wrap around the palate. Deep, virile and explosive, the 2014 is a must have. Don’t miss it!”

“Montelena’s 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon is gorgeous. Pliant and supple, the 2015 offers notable density and raciness in an up-front style that will drink well upon release. Succulent red/purplish fruit, spice, new leather and licorice are front and center. A wine of total allure, the 2015 hits all the right spots…It is one of the best values readers will find in Napa Valley Cabernet. Don’t miss it.”

“…2015 Chardonnay is shaping up to be a gorgeous wine. The warmer vintage has resulted in a slightly richer style of Chardonnay, although the house style built on energy and tension is still very much in evidence. Candied lemon, white flowers and mint are nicely textured. Soft, enveloping and gracious, the 2015 will drink well with minimal cellaring.”