Some oldies but goodies incl a great "78 Montelena

The first 2 from my father’s passive cellar. Loved the Monty and the LTHB a pleasant surprise!

  • 1978 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (11/1/2009)
    Dark crimson color. Lovely nose of black currants, cassis, leather, cedar, and allspice. Rich but not heavy, powerful cabernet profile, black currants, plum, licorice, and spice. Some sharp tannin shows up at times, as does some bitter notes toward the back end. A pleasant, lingering finish. This is an amazing, classic cabernet that is certainly mature, but could easily last many more years. Montelena’s first estate vintage. (95 pts.)
  • 1974 Spring Mountain Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon - USA, California, Napa Valley, Spring Mountain District (10/29/2009)
    Healthy ruby color. Earthy, with some black cherry fruit, truffle, cedar notes. Pretty good drink, but certainly past it’s prime. (92 pts.)
  • 1979 Château La Tour Haut-Brion - France, Bordeaux, Graves, Pessac-Léognan (10/4/2009)
    Elegant nose of subtle dark fruits, earth, tea leaves and leather. Very nicely balanced wine, black cherry fruit, earthy, elegant, mature. Pleasant finish, still has a little bite to it. (92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Great notes! I love reading notes from people who love great older cabs.

78 Monty is the first ‘Estate’ release, a GREAT wine, bravo!

1978 Mondavi Reserve is also a very nice wine, although [at least from magnum] it is nowhere near maturity yet.

I have one bottle of that '78… wow. … sounds like it will be terrific!! Thanx for the notes!