2008 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley The Montelena Estate

The 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a gorgeous, mid-weight wine laced with mint, cassis, sweet herbs and tobacco. It is an understated, gracious wine from start to finish. This is a relatively approachable vintage for the Estate. It shows tons of finesse and mid-palate generosity while maintaining a medium-bodied personality. Today it is quite young, although it is drinking well. Readers who prefer more tertiary notes will want to cellar the wine for at least a few years. Anticipated maturity: 2014-2028. Review Date: December 2011

Old-school, but well-done, this is tight and firm, showing a dense, balanced mix of dried currant, mineral, cedar, cigar box and tobacco flavors. Ends with good depth, range of flavor and tannins. Best from 2013 through 2023. 5,940 cases made. ?JL Review Date: July 2012