Exploring The Cabernet Sauvignon Of Napa Valley, Part Four: Calistoga, Oak Knoll District, And Coombsville

Forbes highlighted Chateau Montelena and recommended the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 in a story that explores Napa Valley’s AVAs of Calistoga, Oak Knoll District and Coombsville.

Writer Brian Freedman spoke with Chateau Montelena Winemaker Matt Crafton who notes that Calistoga has the ability to produce wines that boast a real sense of elegance alongside their telltale ripeness. In his own words, Crafton added, “Calistoga combines the best of the mountain appellations in Napa with those on the valley floor.” Continuing, “put another way, the rocky, well-drained soils, rugged terrain, and sun-soaked aspects drive ripeness and concentration in our wines. But the modest elevation, from 300 to 1200 feet above sea level, along with plentiful cooling from the Russian River drainage and Mt. Saint Helena, encourage ample acidity, which is why our wines are so long-lived. Experiencing ripeness and refinement can be a rarity when one tastes through Napa Valley Cabernet. But Calistoga offers the opportunity to accomplish both, which has become a hallmark of Montelena over the last 40 years.”

When describing the 2017 Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Freedman says, “a pure beam of cherries and mountain berries leap from the glass, where they are joined by cherry liqueur and pomegranate syrup: The fruit here is gorgeous. On the palate, that ripeness is cut through with excellent acidity. This is such a classically styled, precise Cabernet Sauvignon, and pipe tobacco, allspice, and pepper, as well as flecks of fresh-picked thyme and rosemary joined by the suggestion of wild strawberries, make this wonderful already and capable of aging gracefully for another decade-plus.” Read the full story HERE