2011 Chateau Montelena 'Estate' Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley
From the estate that changed wine history, this library release shows why Montelena remains Napa’s benchmark. The cool 2011 vintage shaped a Cabernet of remarkable restraint and elegance—layered with blackcurrant, red plum, cedar, and graphite over a frame of supple tannins and lifted acidity. Aged 22 months in French oak (33% new), it balances freshness with depth, built to evolve gracefully for decades.
An iconic estate, a historic vintage—your chance to cellar a piece of Napa’s legacy.
VN94
Vinous
The 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a pretty wine from Chateau Montelena. Expressive floral and savory notes add complexity to the dark, pliant fruit in a soft, open Cabernet that is already quite tasty. I expect the 2011 will drink well early, but then again, these wines can be deceptively age worthy. That said, there are no hard edges or vegetal notes at all. Montelena's 2011 Estate impresses for its balance and overall sense of harmony.