4 | Wine | Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley

"Complex and vibrant aromas of red plum, anise, cherry, violets, and tobacco accentuated by notes of black currant, dried herbs, toasted oak, and cocoa. Elegant and supple texture on the palate make the frame for generous flavors of sweet plum and dark cherry, with notes of vanilla and mocha. Silky tannins and well-integrated structure tie together and linger in the finish."

"The 2010 Cabernet Sauvignon Artemis is laced with sweet red berries, plums, flowers, mint and cloves. It is an attractive, medium-bodied wine to drink over the next decade plus, once the tannins begin to soften. Today the 2010 is a bit compact. The Artemis is made from both estate and purchased fruit."

"It offers notes of black currants, licorice, cedar wood and spice. Drink it over the next several years." -Robert Parker

"Trim and restrained, with a narrow beam of currant, tobacco, cigar box and cedar. Well-made, focused and persistent."

"The 2009 Cabernet Sauvignon Private Reserve is a beautifully balanced wine. Firm yet well-integrated tannins frame a core of dark red berries, flowers, mint, spices and licorice. The Reserve shows lovely inner perfume and mid-palate juiciness. It should drink well with a minimum of cellaring."

"Gorgeous aromas of kirsch liqueur, crushed blue/black berries and graphite are framed with sweet toasty oak. On the palate dense texture and perfectly rich fruit (Rutherford and Oakville) contrasts nicely with the fresh impact of mountain minerality (Atlas Peak). Crushed plum, violets and white flowers vie for attention all supported by ripe, mouth-coating tannins. Superb length and penetrating fruit are focused and intense with tremendous persistence and balance."

"A classic expression of Napa Valley Cabernet at its best: Remarkably rich and concentrated. Tantalizing entry -almost sweet with blackberry essence, it evolves into a plush, mouth filling compote of black fruit, beautifully integrated with woodsy and mineral notes, mocha, tobacco and clove. For all its volume the delivery is surprisingly fresh and supple, with a long, mocha-infused finish."

"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."