Greetings everyone. Very sorry it has been so long. I managed a quick visit to Napa Valley a few weeks ago..a jam-packed Thursday and Friday which yielded new friends and a lot of knowledge! I was fortunate to have a travelling companion, Kathryn - who used to work with us at Bishop's Cellar. We left San Francisco bright and early Thursday morning, with a quick stop for a coffee and a muffin in St. Helena before heading North to Calistoga and our 9:30 meet at Chateau Montelena. We had just screened the movie 'Bottle Shock' at an eve
nt at our Halifax warehouse, and with the story of the Paris 1976 tasting fresh in my mind, we headed in to the tasting room!
I did some research prior to the trip, and was dismayed to learn that the Montelena Wines really don't get much for scores or accolades these days. (not that scores are everything)
nt at our Halifax warehouse, and with the story of the Paris 1976 tasting fresh in my mind, we headed in to the tasting room!I did some research prior to the trip, and was dismayed to learn that the Montelena Wines really don't get much for scores or accolades these days. (not that scores are everything)
In my thinking - if I beat the French at winemaking I would make damn sure I kept doing it!!
We tasted their 2008 Potter Valley Riesling, 2007 Napa Chard, 2006 Calistoga Zinfandel, and '05 and '06 Montelena Estate Cab Sauv-their flagship red, at $135. (The '97 had 95 pts)
Having just watched a movie showcasing this winery, I walked right up to the cellar door pictured here ..but it is the cellar door..not the tasting room! They have great literature about the differing soil types on thier property, and pay close attention to terroir-what is planted where. The property itself is beautiful-definitely worth a visit! Erin
