Description

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

At Montelena, we question everything — convention, past methodologies, or how we can do something just a little bit better. With the freedom to explore, we have the privilege to learn. And by asking ourselves why, we can better understand the path to how. With a 14-decade legacy comes the responsibility for further growth and we refuse to rest on our laurels.

What makes a vintage great? Is it quantifiable or is it purely opinion? Unlike so many facets of modern-day life, wine is still encoded with mystery. Its ability to evoke special memories from our past is uncanny, but a wine’s future potential is what excites many of us. Furthermore, it’s within that sense of looking forward that bottles are amassed and saved. A wine collection, be it 5 bottles or 5000, is a physical repository of stories and experiences to be shared.

“For most, great vintages are simply those that have personal ties to life’s greatest moments. The bottles themselves are purely vessels to convey that sense of joy and storytelling. For us, a great vintage is nothing short of effectively conveying the sense of this special place we farm, connected to each and every nuance of the growing season, in a way that lays the foundation for that wine to grow and evolve over time. It’s beyond a rating or a characterization or a declaration. It’s an internal standard much higher than that. It’s the bar that drives us each and every day to relentlessly scrutinize every detail in delivering a wine that is a true reflection of possibility, creative expression and execution. Simply put, great wines build connections and great vintages endure.” – Winemaker Matt Crafton

Vintage Weather
A warm, dry spring led to early budbreak and the risk of frost, but mild conditions allowed the season to move forward. The first significant heat arrived in May, and while very warm bloom reduced fruit set and crop size, the quality of the remaining grapes was excellent. Temperatures in the low to mid-90s at the end of the season were perfect for ripening Cabernet Sauvignon.

Nose
The wine opens with a rich, dense bouquet of pomegranate, plum, and dried blackberry. Hints of barrel toast emerge, shifting from charcoal to fresh wood, while potpourri and black pepper mingle with fig jam and cherry tobacco, creating a layered and inviting aroma.

Palate
Bursting with vibrant fruit, balanced acid, and structured tannins, this Cabernet showcases fresh mint and graphite. Merlot adds a velvety softness that smooths edges and lends refinement. Approachable now, the wine promises even greater complexity with time in the glass.

Finish
Baking spices, earth, and toasted almond dominate the finish. Chalky tannins and notes of roasted hazelnut complement fresh raspberry and black tea, resulting in an elegant, restrained, and food-friendly wine.

Technical Information

• Harvest Dates: September 6 – October 1

• Alcohol: 14.1%

• Blend: 89% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Franc

• Barrel Aging: 16 months in French and Eastern European oak, 26% new

• Bottling Date: April 2023

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Notes To Your Senses:

• APPEARANCE: Deep ruby with a vibrant glow, revealing richness and intensity in the glass
• AROMA: The wine opens with rich notes of pomegranate, plum, and dried blackberry, complemented by hints of toast, potpourri, black pepper, fig jam, and cherry tobacco
• TASTE: Bursting with vibrant fruit, balanced acid, and structured tannins
• FINISH: The finish features baking spices, earth, and toasted almond, with chalky tannins and hints of hazelnut, raspberry, and black tea, creating an elegant, food-friendly wine.
• ABV: 14.1%