- Lot Description
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Bid on this 375 ml 3-bottle lot of 2004 Chateau Montelena "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (375ml) (95RP, 95VN, 93ST). Vinous: "Dark ruby-red. Knockout nose combines black fruits, spices, volcanic minerality and earth, plus a sexy note of coffee torrefaction, all lifted by a violet topnote; reminded me of a ripe-year Pauillac. Wonderfully silky and concentrated on entry, then tactile and solid yet juicy as well in the middle palate, conveying terrific sweetness of sun-baked dark fruits complicated by licorice and exotic spices. This compellingly rich, deep wine displays the sappiness of a fruit reduction. The wine's saline minerality contributes to its impression of energy and a note of juicy cranberry enhances its current appeal. But this beauty is just embarking on what should be a multi-decade plane of peak drinkability. Uncommon flavor intensity here--and still just 30% new oak. Incidentally, this is the first year that 'Calistoga' appeared on the front label, along with Nap
This lot contains the following items:
2004 Chateau Montelena "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (375ml) (qty: 3)
- Lot Items
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2004 Chateau Montelena "Estate" Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon (375ml) (375 ml)Quantity: 3Provenance: From a Southern California collector and repeat consignor, all wines were purchased through reputable sources and stored in a climate controlled cellar.Condition: ExcellentTasting Notes:- Professional Reviews
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
95
A classic, old style Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, Montelena’s 2004 reveals beautiful purity along with lots of creme de cassis fruit, a full-bodied mouthfeel, and a long finish. By Montelena standards, it is a bit more powerful than usual (14.1% alcohol). These wines have an uncanny ability to age for 2-3 decades, and while the 2004 is slightly more forward and evolved than other vintages have been (2001 and 2002), it should last for 20-25 years. (RP)
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Vinous
95
Dark ruby-red. Knockout nose combines black fruits, spices, volcanic minerality and earth, plus a sexy note of coffee torrefaction, all lifted by a violet topnote; reminded me of a ripe-year Pauillac. Wonderfully silky and concentrated on entry, then tactile and solid yet juicy as well in the middle palate, conveying terrific sweetness of sun-baked dark fruits complicated by licorice and exotic spices. This compellingly rich, deep wine displays the sappiness of a fruit reduction. The wine's saline minerality contributes to its impression of energy and a note of juicy cranberry enhances its current appeal. But this beauty is just embarking on what should be a multi-decade plane of peak drinkability. Uncommon flavor intensity here--and still just 30% new oak. Incidentally, this is the first year that 'Calistoga' appeared on the front label, along with Napa Valley. (It was actually Bo Barrett who initially proposed AVA status for Calistoga, but it wasn't officially granted until 2009. (ST)
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Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar
93
Good bright ruby-red. Aromas of cassis, licorice, dark chocolate and menthol. Dense, thick and powerful, with a chewy texture and impressive concentration to the plummy fruit. This has a silky texture but no shortage of inner-mouth energy. Finishes long and aromatic, with late-arriving tannins. In spite of Barrett's description of the "Aussie-like surmaturite" that figured in the harvest of 2004, I am not put off by a hot-vintage character. (However, I retasted the 2003 this year and found it in a very tough stage, with the tannins cutting off the fruit; on this occasion I scored the wine 89+?. My impression is that the 2004 was made from more consistently ripe fruit.). This wine weighs in at 14.2% alcohol, making it the first Montelena estate cabernet to surpass 14% since the '78, which was 14.4%. (ST)
Ratings: RP: 95 VN: 95 ST: 93
