Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon Estate Napa Valley 1993

91 points Robert Parker: "Montelena produces two cuvees of Cabernet. The estate Cabernet Sauvignons, Montelena's flagship wines, have been remarkably consistent. From fruit grown in their Calistoga vineyards, which are dry farmed (non-irrigated), approximately 10,000 cases of this wine are estate-bottled each year. It is hard to find less than a stellar vintage. The 1993 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate (the current release) possesses the most aggressive tannin of the 1993-1996 Estate Cabernets. It is a weighty, hefty, powerful wine, with a dense purple color, ripe, sweet black fruit flavors, considerable muscle and depth, and a spicy, full-bodied, tannic finish. This wine has all the necessary components to age effortlessly for 20+ years. However, it will require 3-4 years of cellaring in order to shed some of its tannin. (Dec 1997)"

90 points Wine Spectator: "Tightly wound, with firm, leathery tannins wrapped around a core of currant, lead pencil, mineral and wild berry. Plenty of acidity and tannins, too. Best to decant.--1993 California Cabernet retrospective. (11/15/03)"