This is the first of six posts about Californian wineries I had the opportunity to visit in August. It’s taken me a bit to digest everything I tasted and saw but needless to say that California is definitely worth a visit. My first stop was at Chateau Montelena. Shortly after I started writing about wine I had the opportunity to see the movie “Bottle Shock” which is the story about a bunch of winemakers in California who have the opportunity to take on the French in a blind wine tasting that coincides with the bicentennial birthday of the United States. The story centers around Chateau Montelena who eventually take first place with their 1973 Chardonnay. The people at the winery have admitted that this movie is a two hour commercial that keeps on giving … but that is beside the point. I have had the opportunity to taste their wines on tasting panels and the wines have always been excellent.
2011 Chateau Montelena Riesling – $25.00 USD – ***1/2+ – How can California produce balanced Riesling with their warmer climate? Montelena has found a way! The nose is delicate honey and peach with subtlety reigning supreme. The flavours match the nose with honey, peach and tangerine flavours. The acidity is nice and balanced with a long finish. This wine is dry with just hints of sweetness on the palate. A beautiful patio sipper but will make a great match to grilled chicken or pork.
2012 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay – $50.00 USD – **** – As with the riesling, this is subtle and soft on the nose with aromas of vanilla and golden delicious apple. This wine is beautifully balanced with acidity and barrel flavours. You get nice caramel and vanilla notes poking through under lots of apples, and peach flavours. The acidity is nice and palate cleansing but there is a nice creamy texture to the finish that lingers. I can’t wait to open my next bottle of this wine next to homemade buttermilk fried chicken.
2012 Chateau Montelena Zinfandel – $39.00 USD – **** – This was the fist Zin I tasted on my visit to California and it wasn’t what I was expecting. Delicate and elegant … and yes, I realize I’m talking California Zin here. This is almost Pinot Noir-esque in its character. There is racy acidity on the finish of this wine making it very food friendly. I usually reach for Zinfandel when dealing with Steak or Lamb, but this will make a great partner to duck or pork as well… I may even go so far as to pair this with grilled Salmon. Fruit is ripe Cherry and Blackberry with slight hints of smoke on the finish. This is very good.
2011 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon – $53.00 USD – ****+ – The nose is pencil shaving and dried cedar with just slight hints of fruit poking through. When I tasted this wine it made me a little sad to know I was enjoying it far too young. If you buy a bottle of this wine it will need another 3-5 years before you even think about opening it (I would wait 10-12 on this one). With a little bit of patience in my glass and mouth the wine eventually opened up to reveal Blackberry, Plum and Black Currant with freshly cut Cedar notes on the finish.
2011 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – $150.00 USD – ****1/2 – As with the regular label Cab Sauv the nose is Pencil Shavings and dried Cedar but you can tell there is a lot more going on in this wine right from the nose Black Currant, Black Plum and Raspberry start to poke through under the wooden surface. Intense and concentrated your flavours are fruit driven with Raspberry, Strawberry, Currant, Black Plum and Blackberry all joining the party in this wine. The tannin is very firm and this is definitely not a wine you want to pick up and crack open right away (and if you do please put this in a decanter for 4-6 hours before pouring) you can buy a couple bottles to age for 15-20 years. Pairing this with food would almost be a crime but if you do make sure it’s only the best cuts of beef grilled rare (or medium rare if you must)
2006 Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon – $165.00 USD – ****1/2 – Even being five years older than the 2011 current release of the estate Cab Sauv this wine is still youthful with the tannin firm but finally starting to relax it’s grip on your palate. The cedar has taken a backseat to the fruit on the nose of this wine with Currant and Black Plum elegantly climbing out of the glass and into your nose. The flavours are Black Currant, Plum, and Blackberry with hints of Pencil Shavings and subtle woodsmoke and leather on the finish. If you can afford it this wine is definitely worth the price of admission and still has another 12-15 years of life left in a cellar.
