I could not resist. Afterfollowing this raging controversy on the internet I pulled a 750 from a recently-delivered stash. Dark, bright purple in color. The nose initially was muted with notes of rich cassis, tobacco, chocolate and iodine (band-aid). Also, the nose had noticeable but not off-putting new oak tinged by a minor green note. The palate was clumsy at first but had plenty of rich, plummy fruit and a long tannic finish. No TCA or taint detectable (Hip, Hip - Hurray).

I decanted-off half the bottle and came back to it 3 hours later. The air helped bring the palate together in that it had a cleaner middle and the tannins sweeter. The oak on the nose was less prominent at this point but the green note continued. Still, no taint or TCA. This bottle was 100% young Cabernet.

I don't drink much California Cabernet, let alone young California Cabernet. This was an impressive bottle of young wine by any standards. It clearly needs many years to strut its stuff. Stylistically, the wine reminded me of a young Bordeaux.

I'm still a believer and buyer of this wine.

thanks for weighing in, here is the other link

01 montelena estate thread