Robert and I have been fans of Chateau Montelena Estate cabs since our first trip to Napa back in '96. It's quite possible we bought the '93 back then and carried it home with us to our newly- built cellar.
Unfortunately when we opened the '93 for dinner with another couple (also fans of ch. Montelena cab) the first look and sniff told us we had waited to long to enjoy what we clearly fell in love with back in '96. The rim was clear and the wine looked and smelled oxidized. Our palates confirmed it--this former beauty was past her prime. Too bad.
Luckily we also had the '98 on hand and it was just what we expected--round, layered, with heady, lovely nose so characteristic of this cab.
But one bottle was not enough for dinner so we finished with a '05 Turnbull Estate cab which nicely contrasted newer Napa fruit with old and was a perfect pairing for upside-down pear and walnut cake and strawberries with whipped cream. Yummy!
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