"The 2010 vintage has delivered a beautifully fragrant wine with layered aromas of blackberry, cassis, cinnamon cake, anise, cardamom, tobacco leaf and mocha. On the palate, the entry is soft and smooth with blueberry and bittersweet chocolate flavors, as well as notes of red currant, cedar and sweet spice. The tannins are firm and youthful on the long finish, adding structure and the promise of a long life in the cellar."

"All of the Cabernet Sauvignon is from our Reserve Block here at the Estate. The 2009 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon shows the intrinsic black stone fruit nuances and the soft tannin structure that define our Oakville, Napa Valley-floor Cabernet. The Reserve Cabernet gets every ounce of special care a winery can devote to its flagship wine."

"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."