Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
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Robert
Parker
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Winemaker Notes
I was surprised by how successful the 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa has turned out. While it was a much tougher year than 1998, those producers who were not spooked into harvesting early because of the rain as well as the 95-100 degree heat spikes that occurred on September 16, 17, 18, 19, and 20, were able to bring in ripe fruit that retained its acidity and depth. Sadly, not enough North Coast producers were willing to take that chance. It will be delicious upon release, and drink well for 10-12 years."
-Wine Advocate
The color of the wine is a deep garnet red in the glass, like nice dark claret. The nose is raspberry, bramble, cassis, some earth and the characteristic Cabernet black pepper spice. There is a bit more cedar and pepper up front with the softer Merlot aromas in the background. It is a wine with more classic cassis and terroir, rather than the dominant jammy fruit we see in warmer vintages.
The palate is soft, with warm cassis, lots of red berry, and great varietal character. It has a very polished and supple tannin structure, highlighting the complexity that results from the blend of the different vineyards. The judicious use of 20% new oak barrels also gives a soft warmth and depth to the wine's basic character without being obvious. In the end it is a wine and a vintage where our more traditional winemaking techniques and low yields combine to give an elegant, Old World style wine. You can enjoy this one right out of the gate! -Bo Barrett, Winemaker
Professional Ratings
- Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
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Chateau Montelena’s history is one of the deepest and most storied in the Napa Valley and California. Founded just north of Calistoga by a senator and San Francisco entrepreneur in 1882 at the turn of the century, it was one of the largest wineries in the state. Prohibition put an end to Montelena’s winemaking, and the next major era began in 1968, when Jim Barrett purchased the estate. Jim fell in love with this exceptional property, blessed with a complex mix of soils, slopes and biodiversity of wildlife and fauna. He had a dream of creating wine at the level of the great First Growths of Bordeaux, and set about replanting the vineyard, outfitting the winery with modern equipment, and studying the processes necessary for farming and winemaking at the highest quality level.
In 1976 Chateau Montelena put California at the forefront of the wine world. That year a who’s-who of the French wine and food establishment gathered for a grand tasting at the Inter-Continental Hotel in Paris. Four white Burgundies were tasted against six California Chardonnays. When the scores were tallied, the French Judges were convinced that the top-ranking white wine was one of their own. In fact, it was Chateau Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay, rated above all other wines. This seminal event has been memorialized in the book "The Judgment of Paris," by George Taber, as well as in the 2008 feature film Bottle Shock.
Today Chateau Montelena’s distinct 19th century stone structure stands as a quality icon in Napa Valley, consistently producing some of the finest wines in California. Master Winemaker Bo Barrett, Jim’s son, now runs the estate with the help of Winemaker Matt Crafton and Vineyard Manager Dave Vella.
One of the most prestigious wines of the world capable of great power and grace, Napa Valley Cabernet is a leading force in the world of fine, famous, collectible red wine. Today the Napa Valley and Cabernet Sauvignon are so intrinsically linked that it is difficult to discuss one without the other. But it wasn’t until the 1970s that this marriage came to light; sudden international recognition rained upon Napa with the victory of the Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon in the 1976 Judgement of Paris.
Cabernet Sauvignon undoubtedly dominates Napa Valley today, covering half of the land under vine, commanding the highest prices per ton and earning the most critical acclaim. Cabernet Sauvignon’s structure, acidity, capacity to thrive in multiple environs and ability to express nuances of vintage make it perfect for Napa Valley where incredible soil and geographical diversity are found and the climate is perfect for grape growing. Within the Napa Valley lie many smaller sub-AVAs that express specific characteristics based on situation, slope and soil—as a perfect example, Rutherford’s famous dust or Stags Leap District's tart cherry flavors.