Winemaker Notes
In the glass the wine has a nice dark ruby red color. The complex aromas show the influence from both the moderate and the warm periods of this long vintage. The wine has very pronounced ripe jammy fruit aromas of plum and black currant that display the warmth of the vintage. Less obvious Cabernet tones of licorice and earthy complexity from the cool middle of the season lurk under the more obvious notes of fruit. On entry this Cabernet is very round and full, while the mid-palate yields a graceful weight and balance with soft tannins. Notes of pepper add complexity to the smooth, rich cassis dominated flavors. Characteristic of Montelena Cabernet, there is a nice, finely polished tannic structure to the lengthy finish.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
Ripe currants, leafy herbs, chocolate, and classic Cabernet Sauvignon lead pencil and leafy tobacco notes all emerge from the 2003 Chateau Montelena, a layered, medium to full-bodied, fleshy, opulent Napa Valley beauty that's squarely in its prime drinking window.
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.