CHATEAU MONTELENA 'Estate' Zinfandel - Calistoga, Napa Valley 2021 Bottle (los)

Description

For something to appear effortless, an incredible amount of effort has to be expended. It’s paradoxical, but accurate. This is just as true in winemaking as it is in life, be it an intricately choreographed ballet or a perfectly-timed pass from the quarterback. To the untrained eye, both appear completely natural, which only heightens our sense of awe. What we don’t see are the hours, months, and years of grit, vicious preparation, and focus. There’s nothing “hands-off” about accomplishment. At Montelena, the brilliant transparency so evident in our wines is the product of astonishing effort, not merely getting out of the way. True simplicity isn’t that simple.

NOSE
The wine opens with fresh cherries, black pepper and tea leaves. It’s perfume-like and intoxicating. The varietal character is quite evident right now: forest floor, briar and roasted mushroom. That earthiness, which is part of the sense of place, is an excellent counterpoint to the dynamic fresh fruit, which leans red at first but quickly transitions to dark and dried aromas over time.

PALATE
Bright, candy-like fruit on the palate layers into refined but slightly-angular tannin adding tension and chewiness. Far from being fully-refined, this wine still has some edges, which add spiciness and hint at its future development. The acid beautifully cuts through the tension, imparting the freshness and liveliness one would expect from a young Montelena Zinfandel. That acid should recede and integrate over time, bolstering complexity and helping to maintain food-friendliness.

FINISH
The wine closes with dark chocolate and mint. The tannins here are leathery and there’s a hint of graphite from the barrel toast. Above all, it’s mouthwatering, teasing with grape candy and kirsch.