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Chateau Montelena

Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

Calistoga, Napa Valley, California

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When Jim Barrett started Chateau Montelena, he knew it would take at least 40 years to see if his wines would stand up to the great First Growths of Bordeaux that inspired him. Almost since his first vintages in the 1970s, this wine has been a show-stopper that has everything in place, while revealing the majesty and distinctive character of the estate vineyard site in the northern Napa area that the Barretts led to recognition as its own appellation, Calistoga.

Today, we are pleased to offer this winery-cellared re-release of the 2006 vintage in a perfect drinking window.

Vineyard

This wine is 100% made with estate fruit. The diversity of soils and slopes where this is grown in Calistoga directly translates to layers of complexity and depth in the glass. The Estate vineyard is comprised of varied terrain, from flat to steep hillsides. The vineyard gently slopes downward towards its base, where a small patch of sedimentary soil was deposited by the settling of an ancient ocean or lake. Extending out from the Napa River is the alluvial soil, the most prevalent type on the property. In the back and outside areas of the vineyard are volcanic soils, formed by ancient lava flows caused by tectonic uplifting.

Winemaking

The wine is made up of 98% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged in 100% French oak barrels (26% new) for 22 months. It exuberantly reflects the Calistoga vineyard, while balancing power with an extraordinary ability to age.

Vintage

Duality in nature is everywhere—night and day, birth and death, you get the picture—but it isn’t very often that you get two distinctive phenomena at the same time. That duality is the most prominent feature of the 2006 harvest in that we saw both warm vintage and cool vintage characteristics in the same year, and nowhere was that more pronounced than at the Montelena Estate.

The 2006 growing season was mild, with greater than average spring rains, and then from veraison through the first half of harvest the Estate saw a lot of heat and drying winds. In mid September a cold snap hit that virtually halted harvest for close to two weeks. The second half of the harvest that followed was significantly cooler and the fruit that came in then reflected that. The greatest part is that we got the best of both worlds—power, intensity, and ripe jammy favors from the first half, balance, elegance, and more subtle notes from the second half. All of this resulted in a wine that has a lot of interest, broad appeal, and the structure to last for decades to come.

Tasting Note

The 2006 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon has an enticing deep garnet red color in the glass. On the nose there are complex notes of blackberry tart, clove, cinnamon, and cocoa, along with dried black currants.

The mouth has a soft supple entry, youthful crisp acidity, juicy plum and rich bright red fruit notes, all complemented by loads of fine grain tannin and an under-layer of dried black currant.

The overall structure is ripe and rich, pure and well delineated. Barrel notes are blended seamlessly and highlighted in the warm, spicy finish.

Food Pairing

This is a powerhouse wine that can stand up to any number of complex dishes, but can be best enjoyed with beef, lamb, game (deer, venison) and mature, hard cheeses.

Color

Red

Grape Varieties

Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation

Calistoga, Napa Valley, California

Farming

The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is made from 100% estate fruit, all of which is sustainably farmed and produced in their solar powered winery

Alcohol

13.9%

Suggested Retail Price

$160.00

Reviews

94

"Suave, pure and mouthfilling"

Vinous - August 20, 2020

“Suave, pure and mouthfilling, with its fine-grained dark berry and spice flavors broadening on the back half. Boasts a lovely balance of sweet and savory qualities, with bright acidity and refined tannins giving the wine plenty of backbone for further leisurely evolution in bottle.”

 

94

"Fine tannins, nicely integrated acidity"

Jeb Dunnuck - August 20, 2020

“The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate offers a slightly more perfumed, complex nose with its cassis, currants, mint, and spring flowers. This pretty, elegant wine has fine tannins, nicely integrated acidity, a layered, balanced style, and a great finish." 

 

93

"Subtle and complex"

James Suckling - August 20, 2020

“This has a leafy currant, mint, and raspberry nose. Complex and very pretty. Full bodied and very firm, with super fine tannins and a long, long finish. This is subtle and complex." 

 

Trade Materials

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Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon Bottle Shot

Other Wines by this Producer

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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.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley, California

The Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon embodies the balance of Montelena, classic “old-world” structure with ripe California fruit.  It is crafted from fruit coming from the Montelena vineyard and several prime neighboring vineyards, all in the Calistoga AVA. The Montelena Napa Cabernet is a wine that delivers immediate pleasure upon release, but in Montelena style, while age and develop beautifully.

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.