Chateau Montelena Estate 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon Napa Valley

This wine is 100% made with estate fruit. The diversity of soils and slopes where this is grown in Calistoga directly translates to layers of complexity and depth in the glass. The Estate vineyard is comprised of varied terrain, from flat to steep hillsides. The vineyard gently slopes downward towards its base, where a small patch of sedimentary soil was deposited by the settling of an ancient ocean or lake. Extending out from the Napa River is the alluvial soil, the most prevalent type on the property. In the back and outside areas of the vineyard are volcanic soils, formed by ancient lava flows caused by tectonic uplifting.
The wine is made up of 97% Cabernet Sauvignon, 2% Petit Verdoit and 1% Cabernet Franc. The wine is aged in 100% French oak barrels (40% new) for 22 months. It exuberantly reflects the Calistoga vineyard, while balancing power with an extraordinary ability to age.

A lush, moderate spring abruptly transitioned to a dynamic summer punctuated by highly variable temperatures during the day and plenty of warm, cloudless nights. The vines responded by producing an incredibly broad palette of flavors in the fruit and textural nuances that embody those of both cool and warm vintages. Vibrant vintages like 2017 are relatively rare but present an exciting challenge to capture those unique elements in the bottle.