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davidandrose  
Aurora, CO
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1676
 | | 02-08-2006 03:53 AM |
| I can't believe that nobody's posted a sacrificial note on this yet. Simple but here goes... - 2002 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (2/4/2006)
Decanted from a split and allowed to sit for 3 hours. So tight, could only discern some grape and tanin. Didn't pour for my wife, and allowed this to sit until the next day. 27 hours after opening it was coming of age. Still incredibly youthful, it was smooth, you could sense it's depth but tough to determine distinct flavors. Overall, an enjoyable peak at the future. I've satisfied my curiousity, can buy some more if I find it at futures pricing at retail, and won't retry for a few years. (Yeh, right on this last point!) (94 pts.)
Posted from CellarTracker | | |
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wineismylife 
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts: 12426
| | 04-24-2007 12:38 PM |
| 2002 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (4/21/2007)
CT92+,WA95,WS72
Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Tight nose giving way to some aromas of black berries, plums and maybe a dash of mint. Primary flavors of red cherries and red berries. Medium acidity, firm tannins, medium bodied. Hold for a couple of years before trying again. Score reflects potential with room for improvement. (92 pts.) | | | Joe-----Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| wineismylife
Arlington, TX
Master of Wine
Posts: 12426
| | 04-14-2008 10:30 AM |
| 2002 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (4/12/2008)
WIML92?,PURPLE92
Tasted April 12, 2008. Opened and splash decanted about 30 minutes before serving. Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose is still a little tight on this very youthful wine giving way to notes of black cherries, a hint of camphor and some faint aromas of potpourri. Flavors of cassis, black berries and a bit of boysenberry on the medium finish. Medium acidity, firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink with a fairly lengthly decant or continue to hold. (92 pts.) | | | Joe-----Wine is like potato chips around me...if it's open, it's gone. | |
| love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts: 12599
| | 07-07-2008 09:41 PM |
| $75 on futures via Ch Montelena
RP 92-05+, ST 93, WS 92-94
Those are some great ratings from all major sources. I did not get any of it out my 1st bottle of this wine. Something was just not right with it. May by the TCA issue that WS discovered a few years ago. May be, the bottle was just “off” in some way or bottle variation, etc… I could not put my finger on it. But, something was “up” with this bottle.
Decanted 1 hour prior to drinking. I left it in the decanter for over 4 hours. Results were the same, no change in the wine. Youthful, it is, but that’s not it. Something else was the culprit here. I have 3 more bottles & of course not happy with this bottle for $75 that I paid for it.
In a few months I will try another bottle. Based on that bottle, I will see if to cellar or cell the remaining 2 bottles.
Rating: Judgment reserved as I cannot issue a fair judgment of this wine (N/R).
Of course, because it is a Ch Montelena. And, the ratings across the board, & the price … I was not happy about it last night. One sure hopes for a nice bottle of wine for $80.00. We are not talking about $20, right. That’s a lot of money for 1 bottle of wine.
P.S.: I also have 4 bottles of the 03 release. And, a hit/miss with the 01s also (in my experience). Still, I was looking around to purchase the 04. I will re-try the 02. Then, I will try the 03 & base my decision per 04 on the results of those 2 vintages.
Montelena’s problems the last few vintages are well documented. Regardless, I kept buying since I have been drinking these since 1992. And, for the most part, all were great wines in the 90s. But, I am not about to keep spending that kind of money on wines with so much bottle variation &/or problems. I hope this classic producer gets its act together. Otherwise, it is time to move on to bigger/better pastures.
Hey Dave, remember the 92 (or was it the 94) we had in Napa @ Bistro Jeanty a couple of years ago. That was great! That was 1 of my fav wines that night. And, of course, the 97 is a classic. | | | |
| ChillyWino
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1755
| | 07-08-2008 02:00 PM |
| | I bought these on futures, but have stashed them in the back of the cellar. Any chance it was completely closed down for business instead of a flaw? | | | |
| love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts: 12599
| | 07-08-2008 08:58 PM |
| | I don't think so, Chilly, not this particular bottle. I've had plenty of young wines over the years that were not ready "to go". I like to think I can tell the difference. But, it is only 1 bottle, right. Above the ratings are 92-94. | | | |
| ChillyWino
Barrel Racker
Posts: 1755
| | 07-09-2008 03:26 PM |
| | Hopefully the rest of your bottles are ok. | | | |
| love_cab_chard
Master of Wine
Posts: 12599
| | 07-09-2008 06:50 PM |
| | If not, I will sell the rest. I also want to drive test the 03 as well... | | | |
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