20908 Roscoe Blvd • Canoga Park CA 91304 Hours: Mon - Sat • 9AM - 6PM Phone: (818) 341-1234 • Fax: (818) 341-9232 Outside California: (800) 4-FINE-WINE Cheers! from the Duke of Bourbon Since 1972, Chateau Montelena has been producing elegant wines that are eminently (also imminently) drinkable but with serious aging potential. The Montelena style - fruit first with underlying natural acidity - begins in the vineyard with what they call "winegrowing." Their three (plus) decades of experience with the same vineyards and varietals has earned Chateau Montelena the well-deserved reputation as a world-class winery. Here are two shining examples of superb wines from a Napa Valley institution. Chateau Montelena 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa Valley The 2001 vintage was outstanding for Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley and Chateau Montelena capitalized on this fact by producing a terrific Napa Cabernet Sauvignon. (This wine is different from their 2001 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, which we sold on future in 2003.) The fruit was of exceptional quality. Long hang-time and ideal harvest conditions yielded beautifully ripe grapes with fully mature skin tannin and loads of complex fruit flavors. This wine boasts a strong Cabernet fruit aroma, with cassis, dark summer berries, and notes of licorice. The big, dense aroma also has an earthy component which reflects the characteristics of the Calistoga area where most of the grapes are grown. The palate is big, full-bodied and rich, yet round and soft overall, showing smooth texture but still substantial tannins. The flavors echo the aroma, with sweet black fruits as well as licorice, menthol, and earthy tones. The supple yet powerful Montelena signature finish shows that this wine is smooth enough to be delicious while young, but has the structure to lay down in your cellar, too. Parker commented: "The big, structured, tannic, and muscular 2001 Cabernet Sauvignon exhibits a saturated ruby/purple color along with a big, dense bouquet of earth, licorice, black currants, and forest floor. Full-bodied and rich, it requires another 1-2 years of cellaring. It should last for 10-12 years, possibly longer. And, more importantly, it reveals some of the Estate Cabernet Sauvignon's style." This wine usually retails at about $38.00. Until February 26, the Duke's special price for this Napa classic is just $27.99 per bottle! That's just $167.94 per 6-pack for this sensational wine. For those of you who love Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon, Estate, we will announce our futures program for the 2003 vintage on March 1, 2005! Chateau Montelena 2002 Chardonnay, This wine is a hallmark of the Montelena style, pure expression of Chardonnay fruit with crisp acidity and a mere nuance of wood. The aroma at first shows very spicy Chardonnay varietal character, then reveals notes of lime peel, green apple, and mineral, all in a bright, refreshing style. The palate follows the aroma very nicely with flavors of fresh lime, apple, kiwi, and spice. The texture is full, but still soft and round. The finish has excellent length and displays even more apple flavors. This wine is delicious to enjoy today and also offers the potential for several further years of evolution. Parker liked the wine as well. He awarded it 91 points and said: "The Chardonnay is as good as this estate can achieve. It is a grand cru California Chablis-styled offering with loads of acidity, outstanding depth, and a steely, crisp personality." The retail price at the winery is $33.00. The Duke has it for you at just $26.99. That's just $161.94 per 6-pack for one of Napa Valley's top Chardonnays. Call the Duke today to order! These prices are good through the end of February or while our supply lasts. Think of fine wine! Think of the Duke! Home Vine-Line Join Our Mailing List Private Cellars Email Specials Currently Available Wine Futures Duke's Gift Catalog Recent Arrivals Big Bottle Bonanza Email the Duke Wine Association Events Duke's Wine Library Vine-Line Back Issues Map to the Duke Terminal 55 Wine Storage Lockers We are Happy to Deliver or Ship! Just Call (818) 341-1234 or outside California (800) 4-FINE-WINE Store Hours: Monday-Saturday 9AM - 6PM Pacific Time Web Page Production by Fuji Publishing Group. This URL is http://dukeofbourbon.com/es050215.html Copyright © 1995 - 2008 Duke of Bourbon Produced by Fuji Publishing Group All rights reserved.