Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa Valley 2016

“The largest production cuvée is the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, which comes mostly from Calistoga (there's a small amount of Merlot and Cabernet Franc from Oak Knoll) and spends 16 months in roughly 20% new French oak. Its ruby/purple color is followed by a vibrant, juicy wine that has plenty of black cherry, blackberry, spring flowers, and graphite. It's medium-bodied, elegant and seamless, with terrific purity and a balanced, juicy style. It's beautiful, classic Napa Valley Cabernet to drink over the coming 10-15 years.”

“From Spring Mountain fruit and Calistoga fruit, this is a nice blend of freshness and warmth, always tempered by the cooling Pacific fog. Very elegant and harmonious, wrapped around a core of pure black cherry, fig, pipe tobacco, and seasoned with sultry florals, anise, and peppery spices. Tannins are finely grippy and structural, hugging this through the lingering finish. In a good place for drinking now. Sample tasted at Global Comparative Tasting: Cabernet Sauvignon. (Treve Ring).”