Opened a 375ml. Dark ruby, closed nose initially but opened at about 2.5 hours. Mouthcoating dark fruits with lots of cherry. Very elegant with a nice long finish and plenty of tannin for the long haul. Really needs 4-5 years to show its stuff. 94 points.

2002 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (4/21/2007)
CT92+,WA95,WS72

Tasted April 21, 2007 at an offline. Tasted from a Spiegelau Authentus Magnum glass. Purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Tight nose giving way to some aromas of black berries, plums and maybe a dash of mint. Primary flavors of red cherries and red berries. Medium acidity, firm tannins, medium bodied. Hold for a couple of years before trying again. Score reflects potential with room for improvement. (92 pts.)

2002 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (4/12/2008)
WIML92?,PURPLE92

Tasted April 12, 2008. Opened and splash decanted about 30 minutes before serving. Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Nose is still a little tight on this very youthful wine giving way to notes of black cherries, a hint of camphor and some faint aromas of potpourri. Flavors of cassis, black berries and a bit of boysenberry on the medium finish. Medium acidity, firm tannins, medium to full body. Drink with a fairly lengthly decant or continue to hold. (92 pts.)

Opened April 13, 2009. Decanted for one hour, dark ruby, 14.3% alcohol, nose was slow to open but after an hour it started showing its stuff. Black cherries, black fruits, full bodied with a long finish, still improving. Maybe best around age 10. 92 points

2002 Chateau Montelena Cabernet Sauvignon The Montelena Estate - USA, California, Napa Valley (10/29/2009)
WIMLNR

Tasted October 29, 2009.

Opened and served immediately. Followed over about two hours. Dark garnet to purple color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Attractive nose of plums, currants, potpourri and a dash of balsamic. Palate is pretty much closed down right now giving way to perhaps some simple flavors of berrries. Medium acidity, tannins and body. I'd recommend holding.

Here is another good note on the '02 Montelena:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...NhO0&feature=related

quote:

Originally posted by Dom'n'Vin'sDad:
Here is another good note on the '02 Montelena:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v...NhO0&feature=related

That review was a hoot!

What he really said was: --- I opened this bottle before its time!

Like everyone mentioned above, the 2002 Chateau Montelena is young! I think it should be held till 2015, (or as wiml mentioned, allow for extended decanter time) then it should drink fine for the next 25 years. For those of you who enjoy the best of Bordeaux, Chateau Montelena has depth and structure of a fine wine, and will be a fine substitute.