We really liked the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay we had awhile back so I was curious to see how they would do with a Zinfandel. Mick wasn’t as excited about it as he feels that if a winery doesn’t specialize in Zinfandel then they shouldn’t make one as they seem to miss with it more often then not.
"Island Pork"The nose on this wine was huge compare to the Riesling with cigar box, cherry, tobacco, loan and a perfume aroma rounding out the nose. The wine on its own was tannic and dry with lots of pepper and not much fruit present. With the Island Pork with the sweetness of the brown sugar glaze, raisins, mandarins and mangos this wine came to life; the tannins really softened, the fruit was more noticeable and the pepper wasn’t quite as in your face as before which made the wine very nice.
"As good as their Chardonnay?"Mick described this wine perfectly when he said if Bordeaux made Zinfandel this is what it would be like. I agree with that as I find a number of Bordeaux wines tend to be ‘food’ wines as they aren’t that great on their own but are amazing with food.
Here is the group rating for the wine -Mick – 85, Mark – 87, Kathy – 89, Amy – 86, Overall – 86.75.
Here is the LCBO information on the wine –
Chateau Montelena Zinfandel 2005
VINTAGES 69633
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 33.95
Wine, Red Wine,
14.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : D
Made in: California/Californie, United States
By: Chateau Montelena
Release Date: Oct 11, 2008
Description - Bursting with raspberry jam, cola and chocolate, this supple and elegantly styled Zin has plenty of ripe fruit balanced beautifully by a seam of acidity and some soft tannins. Enjoy with a savoury pork roast over the next 2-3 years.
Mick mentioned that he wondered what the Wine Spectator would have rated this wine, then paused for a moment and said “Chateau Montelena probably wouldn’t have submitted this wine to them as they didn’t want to get their good name slagged…”
Well, surprise buddy, here is what the Wine Spectator had to say about this wine –
Chateau Montelena Zinfandel Napa Valley The Montelena Estate 2005
Elegant and juicy, with cherry and sage aromas and supple plum, licorice and mineral flavors. Drink now through 2012. 4,800 cases made. –TF
Here is the group rating for the wine -Mick – 85, Mark – 87, Kathy – 89, Amy – 86, Overall – 86.75.
Here is the LCBO information on the wine –
Chateau Montelena Zinfandel 2005
VINTAGES 69633
750 mL bottle
Price: $ 33.95
Wine, Red Wine,
14.6% Alcohol/Vol.
Sugar Content : D
Made in: California/Californie, United States
By: Chateau Montelena
Release Date: Oct 11, 2008
Description - Bursting with raspberry jam, cola and chocolate, this supple and elegantly styled Zin has plenty of ripe fruit balanced beautifully by a seam of acidity and some soft tannins. Enjoy with a savoury pork roast over the next 2-3 years.
Mick mentioned that he wondered what the Wine Spectator would have rated this wine, then paused for a moment and said “Chateau Montelena probably wouldn’t have submitted this wine to them as they didn’t want to get their good name slagged…”
Well, surprise buddy, here is what the Wine Spectator had to say about this wine –
Chateau Montelena Zinfandel Napa Valley The Montelena Estate 2005
Elegant and juicy, with cherry and sage aromas and supple plum, licorice and mineral flavors. Drink now through 2012. 4,800 cases made. –TF
Rating 87, Price $30.
I think Mick was a tad harsh on this wine but he has high standards on Zinfandels. I enjoyed this wine as it was a good pairing with the meal but I will say that at a $34 price point there are better Zinfandels out there
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