1995 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon

Cabernet Sauvignon
 

This red is from Napa Valley California.  It is 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.  This winery was founded in 1882, making it one of the oldest California wine producers.  The winery was featured in the movie “Bottle Shock” in 2008 (movie kinda sucked).  The movie documents the Judgment of Paris which pitted French wines against California wines in 1976 in Paris. The 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay was in competition against four White Burgundies from France and took home first prize, receiving six first place votes out of 11 possible votes among the white wines.  This was a monumental victory as many believed that California wines were viewed as bourgeois by the French. The wine I tasted was their Cabernet, but as this is from the same vintners, there is a definite pedigree implied.  I was given the great honor by a close family friend two weekends ago (you know who you are) to taste the 1995 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon.

On the nose: Right out of the bottle, pop and pour, not getting much. Really tight.  If you were stuck in a bottle for 17 years, would you smell good?  Left it alone for a bit, came back to it 45 minutes later and it was really singing.  Macerated Cherries.  Tobacco leaves and fresh potting soil.  Really Different.  This is what you get when you have an older Cabernet from Napa that had some time to chill.  Think if you were making a sundae of dirt and put some cigar flavored whipped cream over that and added 10 cherries on top (the ones they put in a Shirley Temple).

Palate: Again, upon opening, the taste was a bit sour and had a menthol flavor.  Really thought it may have lost a little.  One hour later, could have mistaken this for a different wine all together.  Mint & Eucalyptus.  You do not get to taste this flavor profile that often, but when you do it’s a real treat.  Plums are there too.  Almost 30 second finish.  Light tannins.  If you have this in your cellar, I would recommend drinking it, as I feel it’s at its peak. Take some Thin Mints that you spend $15 a box (inflation?) because you must support your local Girl Scout troop and a plum, shove them both in a Jack LaLanne Power Juicer and enjoy.

Rating Scale (out of 5 +):

++++½

Price:

$70-100 (if you can find it – best bet is a wine auction online)