2014 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

The base Napa Valley offering is the 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley, a blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. this charmer offers a rich, ripe, spicy bouquet of black cherries, potpourri, dried flowers, tobacco leaf, and spice. Medium to full-bodied, rounded, ripe and voluptuous on the palate, with pretty fruit, and a juicy, fruit forward, style, drink it anytime over the coming decade. It’s a classic expression of Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, as well as the 2014 vintage. This iconic estate has a new winemaker, with the young Matt Crafton being promoted (he’s been the assistant winemaker since 2008) to head winemaker in 2014. It will be interesting to see if he opts to make any changes with regards to the winemaker and/or style of the wines.

The 2014 Cabernet Sauvignon is a terrific introduction to the vintage at Montelena. Brisk and energetic, the 2014 offers a good bit of nuance and aromatic complexity. The flavors are dark and intense, but the 2014 is very much medium in body, as these wines are. There is no shortage of muscle and power, especially at this level. Hints of iron, smoke, leather and herbs inform the muscular, virile finish.