Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Nose: One look at the dense crimson ruby color and you know that this is a big wine. The nose opens with big black cherry, currants, and plum spice cake notes. Underpinning all that fruit are layers of smoke, anise, and very subtle oak tones. Palate: The palate entry is soft and round, but builds quickly with loads of fine velvety tannin, huge black cherry, and red fruits that persist through to a rich finish layered with spice and hints dried fruit. Finish: A firm core of acid and barrel spice integrate beautifully across all layers, enhancing the structure and balance of this massive but approachable wine. Starting out with fairly typical spring weather, the growing season in 2009 was defined by the cool summer, with no major heat waves all season. Any warmer weather was immediately followed by a long, cool period. The effect was slow and steady ripening with long hang time and a later than average start to the harvest. The heat eventually showed up in September, just in time to kick that Final ripening stage into gear.