With a "mixed grill" type barbecue, including whole beef tenderloin,
beef ribs, sausages, burgers, asparagus, and portobellos. Various side
salads and some red beans and rice to accompany.

05/29/05 at Bryan and Amy's.

2001 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa
Valley

Not the estate. Still dark red/purple, solid to rim. Young and vibrant
looking. Nose showed cherry and plum fruit, with a little kiss of oak
sweetness. Still very primary, without much evolution over a half hour
or so. Palate showed enough tannin and acid to allow some development,
but was already integrated and drinking pleasantly if you're looking
for young, fruit driven Calicab with reasonable structure. A little one
dimensional, tough to get past the strong impression of cherry fruit.

2001 Parker Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Terra Rossa - Australia,
South Australia, Coonawarra

Not the "First Growth". Same dark, primary, youthful colors as in the
Monty above. Nose showed a more classic cabernet character, with dark
and red fruit, a little more apparent oak, and just a little spice.
Palate was also broader in fruit characteristics, with cassis,
blackberry, and plum. Fruit was fresh and forward enough to drink well
now. Some ripe tannins, but very little acid. Not sure I would hold
this one. I had the First Growth about a week ago and commented that it
had the most oak of twelve wines tasted that night, but that the oak
was not overwhelming. This showed a similar oak profile, except that
the more I drank, the more the oak seemed to overwhelm the fruit. This
wine may just be a little small to stand up to the oak and was missing
the Coonawarra iron that was so appealing in the First Growth. Don't
know if it will integrate, but I'd be a little anxious waiting too long
given the apparently low acidity.

1993 Zenato Amarone della Valpolicella Classico - Italy, Veneto,
Valpolicella, Amarone della Valpolicella Classico

Surprisingly youthful in color, with rich darkish red color and only a
very slight softening at the rim. Initial nose was of cherry fruit,
sweet berries, and raisins. With a little time, some crushed flowers
and a strong note of chicken bullion came out. Finally, with a little
more time, some tar and a slightly alcoholic Pernod note dominated.
Palate was rich and a little creamy, with big body. Raisined fruit
notes, featuring dried cherry and dried plum. No noticeable tannin.
Enough acidity that I don't see this dying overnight, but no reason to
hold as it's drinking so well right now. Alcohol never dominated or
intruded. I would pick this up if I saw at a reasonable price.

Jim

"Jim" wrote..

> 2001 Parker Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon Terra Rossa - Australia,
> South Australia, Coonawarra
>
> Not the "First Growth". Same dark, primary, youthful colors as in the
> Monty above. Nose showed a more classic cabernet character, with dark
> and red fruit, a little more apparent oak, and just a little spice.
> Palate was also broader in fruit characteristics, with cassis,
> blackberry, and plum. Fruit was fresh and forward enough to drink well
> now. Some ripe tannins, but very little acid. Not sure I would hold
> this one. I had the First Growth about a week ago and commented that it
> had the most oak of twelve wines tasted that night, but that the oak
> was not overwhelming. This showed a similar oak profile, except that
> the more I drank, the more the oak seemed to overwhelm the fruit. This
> wine may just be a little small to stand up to the oak and was missing
> the Coonawarra iron that was so appealing in the First Growth. Don't
> know if it will integrate, but I'd be a little anxious waiting too long
> given the apparently low acidity.

Hi Jim
I love this particular wine but I would agree with your assesment that it
has peaked and whilst it will hold up OK in the short term I will certainly
drink mine up by this time next year. As a small warning steer well clear of
the 02 Terra Rossa it is dreadful. Tastes like I made it!
Cheers Andrew

> 2001 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley

> Not the estate. Still dark red/purple, solid to rim. Young and vibrant
> looking. Nose showed cherry and plum fruit, with a little kiss of oak
> sweetness. Still very primary, without much evolution over a half hour
> or so. Palate showed enough tannin and acid to allow some development,
> but was already integrated and drinking pleasantly if you're looking
> for young, fruit driven Calicab with reasonable structure. A little one
> dimensional, tough to get past the strong impression of cherry fruit.

I bought a bottle and tried this wine a few months back. I agree with
your tasting notes, ok wine for near term drinking. While there is
nothing wrong with it, for the price I think you can find better
California Cabs. At least here in California you can, not sure where
you are located.

------------------------------------
Mike's Wine Blog
http://mikeswinecellar.blogspot.com

> wrote in message
ps.com...
>> 2001 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley
>
>> Not the estate. Still dark red/purple, solid to rim. Young and vibrant
>> looking. Nose showed cherry and plum fruit, with a little kiss of oak
>> sweetness. Still very primary, without much evolution over a half hour
>> or so. Palate showed enough tannin and acid to allow some development,
>> but was already integrated and drinking pleasantly if you're looking
>> for young, fruit driven Calicab with reasonable structure. A little one
>> dimensional, tough to get past the strong impression of cherry fruit.
>
> I bought a bottle and tried this wine a few months back. I agree with
> your tasting notes, ok wine for near term drinking. While there is
> nothing wrong with it, for the price I think you can find better
> California Cabs.

Try the BV 2002 "Rutherford" Cabernet. Costco has it for ~$15US. Really
nice with grilled steak or cheese - despite Mr. Scarpitti's comments to the
contrary.

Tom S

Andrew:

Thanks for the warning on the '02.

I really liked the '99 First Growth a lot, but I'm not so crazy about
the '01 basic bottling noted above. It started out very well, but the
oak just seemed to overwhelm the fruit with a little time in the glass.

Take care,

Jim

Mike:

Thanks for the comments.

Actually, while the tannin seems integrated and this is a wine that
drinks well young, my biggest complaint is that the almost overwhelming
cherry fruit made the wine too simple on the palate. I should have
said so explicitly in my note, but I actually think this will do much
better with some bottle age. It is still very, very primary. With
time, the dominant cherry may recede a little to let some other aspects
come out.

Agree that even the basic bottling from Montelena is not cheap, but the
Monty wines are among my favorite Calicabs, along with Cain Five, Clos
du Val, Diamond Creek, Shafer, and a few others I'm sure I'm
forgetting. However, living out here in Tokyo, I'm not up-to-speed on
Cali producers. Even with these favorites, most of my experience is
with wines from the mid to late 1980's.

Take care,

Jim