3 | Wine | New Arrivals, Cabernet Sauvignon, 91 to 95

"Montelena’s 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate wraps around the palate with serious depth. Even with all of its intensity, the 2009 has a silkiness that makes it incredibly delicious at this early stage. Red berries, flowers, tobacco and sweet herbs all flesh out on the generous, radiant finish. While many 2009s are a bit tight today, Montelena’s 2009 Estate is showing very nicely, although it is keeping some cards close to the vest. I imagine the 2009 will start to enter its prime drinking window around age 8-10 and drink well for at least another decade beyond that."

"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon flows from the glass with plums, black cherries, graphite, grilled herbs and smoke. This fleshy, up-front Cabernet Sauvignon shows fabulous overall balance and harmony in a style best enjoyed over the next decade or so."

"Beautifully proportioned, with a rich mix of currant, blackberry, dried herb, mocha, cedar and tobacco flavors. This is also very tightly structured, worthy of a long decant or short-term cellaring."

"Rich and meaty, with a dense, gutsy core of loamy earth, dried herb and berry, and tobacco. Firm and structured, harboring compact mountain-grown fruit that will reward cellaring."

"The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon is brighter, fresher and more vibrant than the 2009. Black cherries, mocha, violets, licorice and graphite all jump from the glass. The 2010 is quite typical of the vintage in its verve, cut, focus and minerality. This is a terrific showing."

"Even sexier than the 2008, the 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon comes across as considerably sweeter and rounder than its older sibling. Layers of expressive fruit linger on the radiant, juicy finish. This is an especially open and expressive Cabernet Sauvignon. The sweet tannins should allow it to drink beautifully upon release."

"Fragrantly ripe black and blue fruits are enhanced with molasses, clove and creamy oak spices. Brightly focused on entry a fleshy almost kirsch-like quality develops mid-palate with smoky mineral notes. Rustic power develops at the finish with a flourish of fine tannins and malt chocolate".

"Deep garnet-purple colored, the 2010 Bin 707 Cabernet Sauvignon is an earthier style displaying classic aromas of cassis, plum and pencil shavings with some earth, olives, spice box and cloves. Very structured by firm, grainy tannins, it is concentrated and muscular with good acid freshness through the long and layered finish."

"Bright medium ruby. Restrained but pure aromas of blackcurrant, bitter chocolate, mocha and peppery herbs. Dense, sappy and deep, boasting a seamlessness in spite of its musky dark berry flavors accented by pepper and herbs. Classic, satisfying and complete cabernet, with a lush, round texture, excellent breadth and length, and very suave, fine-grained tannins. This could do some damage in a blind flight of top Napa cabernets. A steal at the price." -Stephen Tanzer