Good medium-dark color. Less deep aromas of redcurrant, herbs and loam, plus a whiff of varnish. Smooth on entry, then a bit slighter in the mouth, with a faint tartness. In a rather dumb stage today, having lost its babyfat. A narrower wine than the '94, but still young. The finish features some unresolved acidity and slightly dry tannins.

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Montelena produces two cuvees of Cabernet. The estate Cabernet Sauvignons, Montelena's flagship wines, have been remarkably consistent. From fruit grown in their Calistoga vineyards, which are dry farmed (non-irrigated), approximately 10,000 cases of this wine are estate-bottled each year. It is hard to find less than a stellar vintage. The 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (the current release) possesses the most aggressive tannin of the 1993-1996 Estate Cabernets. It is a weighty, hefty, powerful wine, with a dense purple color, ripe, sweet black fruit flavors, considerable muscle and depth, and a spicy, full-bodied, tannic finish. This wine has all the necessary components to age effortlessly for 20+ years. However, it will require 3-4 years of cellaring in order to shed some of its tannin. The straight-talking, down to earth Bo Barrett, told me on my visit in October, that 1997 may be the vintage of his career. He was not the only person to say that when talking about Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon ... ummmm!

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Tightly wound, with firm, leathery tannins wrapped around a core of currant, lead pencil, mineral and wild berry. Plenty of acidity and tannins, too. Best to decant.--1993 California Cabernet retrospective. 10,000 cases made.

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still smooth and tasty. bordeaux like balance with tannins and fruit on tap with notes of leather, chocolate and tobacco. but do not hold this wine--drink it now.