Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.