1987 | Chateau Montelena | Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Tight and perhaps even less flashy than usual, it is slow to reveal its complex range of earthy, cedary currant and black cherry.

Reviews:

• Wine Advocate: Château Montelena has made so many sensational Cabernets that it seems almost impossible to believe that their 1987 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate could be even more profound than any of the exceptional wines made previously at this property. The black/purple color, the extraordinary bouquet of rich cassis, violets, and licorice, the massive extraction of flavors, sensational depth, super ripeness, and a length that must last over a minute, suggest to me that this is easily the most concentrated and potentially longest-lived Cabernet Sauvignon that Chateau Montelena has ever made. The extract level is incredible, yet the balance is there.

• Vinous: Medium red with an amber edge. Musky scents of redcurrant, raspberry, dried flowers, graphite and brown spices convey an element of surmaturité. A step up in thickness from the '86, showing noteworthy intensity but also a suggestion of dehydrated fruit. This tastes like a reduction of Cabernet owing to the small crop. Finishes with building, tongue-saturating tannins and a balsamic quality. Offers surprising verve, at least in part due to acidification (Barrett described the fruit in '87 as "acid-deficient"). Incidentally, the vines here were dry-farmed until the estate began installing irrigation in 1991. A second bottle tasted about two weeks later showed a healthier dark red color; smooth, claret-like flavors of dark berries, black cherry, tobacco, minerals and herbs; and plenty of dusty tannins.

Producer Information

Chateau Montelena is one of the most prominent Napa Valley wineries. It was directly associated with bringing international recognition to the California wine industry through the 1976 Judgment of Paris. Based in Calistoga, it is famous for its varietal Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay wines. Despite its claim to fame with Chardonnay, the flagship wine of Chateau Montelena has actually been its Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. It was born in the early 1980s, when the estate vines had matured enough to start producing quality fruit. After fermentation in stainless steel, it is barrel-aged in a series of tunnels and caves beneath the winery for up to 22 months. Also sourced from Chateau Montelena's home vineyard is the Estate Zinfandel. After extensive investment into reworking the vineyard, the 2018 vintage saw the wine return from a five year hiatus. Other wines in the collection are predominately sourced from the Napa Valley and include a Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and a Petit Syrah. Chateau Montelena also produce a Riesling, sourced from vineyards within the Potter Valley AVA. Fire damage in the 2018 growing season meant that for the first time since 1972, the Potter Valley Riesling was not released.

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