Tag Archives: $140

Chateau Montelena The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2006, Napa Valley, California

09 Friday Sep 2022

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Deep garnet colored with fast moving legs- 13.9% ABV.  The nose started off with a medicinal note followed by horse saddle leather, dust, barnyard, blackcurrant, black cherry, bandaid and briar.  It is earthy with loads of tertiary aromas.  The palate is dry with medium acidity, well integrated tannins, medium (+) body and rich flavors of black fruits, dusty earth, bramble, briar and açaí berry that lead to a long finish of black tea and leather. 93 points is what I imagined this wine garnering yet the pros went lower back in the day.  It’s amazing how some wines will age so gracefully and deliver those lovely tertiary flavors after 16 years yet still show some primary fruit and  structure to age a few more years.  I would drink this $140 offering till 2026 or so with lighter beef dishes.  4 stars from me.  Salut….

Cakebread Cellars Benchland Select Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Napa Valley, California

27 Wednesday Oct 2021

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Wow- opaque AF.  The nose is loaded with black fruits, charred wood, cassis- very complex but I’m at a loss for descriptors.  The palate is dry with a herbaceous entry that leads to the blackberry, blackcurrants and black cherry notes.  The tannins are mid grade and a touch astringent, they may need more integration.  The finish is medium length and gives me more of that charred wood note.  This wine is mid weight and a touch out of balance right now but I think it will flesh out.  Drink from 2024-2029.  90 points from me at this stage but the pros averaged 92, give it time.  It’s a pricy bottle at $140 so pick the right moment to enjoy this 4 star gem.  Salut….

Chateau Montelena The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2015, Napa Valley, USA

16 Friday Oct 2020

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Super purple in the glass, inky and opaque AF.  On the nose I get black currants, smoky oak, vanilla and a touch of cassis.  On the palate it’s fresh, young and layered.  Black fruits galore with a hint of licorice.  The fruit is sweet yet the wine is dry- like ripe and sun drenched.  The tannins creep in very slowly and I start to pucker at the mid palate and am fully aware of their presence by the finish.  They are really well integrated and fine grained.  Gobs more black fruit, a hint of eucalyptus and some oak round this wine out.  The finish is long and dry.  Delightfully rich, decadent even- this wine has a really nice mouthfeel and is brimming with Napa charm.  92 points from me and at $140 it’s a 4 star gem.  Drink till 2030 with grilled meat, rich cheeses. A super yummy wine. Salut….

Vina Almaviva 2006, Puente Alto, Chile

16 Tuesday Jun 2020

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At 14 years of age this beauty is showing well in the glass.  Dark purple, opaque and leggy.  The cork was very soft so I had to pressurize it out, the corkscrew was going to crumble it otherwise.  On the nose I get blackberries, cigar box, plum and black licorice.  The initial palate is stunning- blue and blackberry ganache, cassis, leather, cedar and oregano.  Sublime tannins are ever present but very integrated.  The mid palate picks up some lapsang souchong tea, espresso and mocha.  The finish is finely balanced between the great tannins and a beautiful acidity that makes my jaw water on the long finish.  This is a sublime wine that has mellowed and matured to a great pinnacle.  Drink this wine by itself or pair it with char-grilled steaks and garlic mash.  95 points and 4 stars for this $140 blend of Cab Sav, Carmenere, Cab Franc and Merlot.  Drink till 2025.  Salut….