Chateau Montelena - Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2001 (750ml) Sta. Rita Hills Although delightful by day

Although delightful by day

while the palate offers up fresh

Balsamic character and intense black fruit—blackberry and plum—define the nose

Perfect for long after-dinner conversations

70% must ferments in concrete tanks

Chateau Montelena - Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley 2001 (750ml) Sta. Rita Hills Although delightful by dayThe 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.