2012 Chateau Montelena, The Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, Calistoga, Bottle (750ml)

AG93+ (Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa Valley) The 2012 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is one of the more open-knit, young Cabernets I can remember tasting at Montelena. Crushed flowers, sweet tobacco, mint, red cherries and plums are some of the signatures. Resonant and silky, the 2012 will drink well pretty much upon release, although today it comes across as less expressive than it was last year. Even so, there is plenty of vintage 2012 radiance and suppleness throughout.