Two notable firsts to highlight. 1978, the first vintage of Montelena’s Estate Cabernet, is one, Bo Barrett’s 1982 winemaking debut another. Both exemplify the architecture of early Montelena Estate Cabernet and remain remarkably rewarding wines today.
I love the 1986, the most muscled of this list. The 1987 couldn’t dissent more strongly though remains one of the genuinely high points of its soft and fleshy vintage. Lovers of Napa classicism will find much to admire in the 1991 (along with the previously mentioned 1978 and 1982) while the 1995, 1990, and 1983 present aggregators rather than extremes, each remarkably complete in her own way.
Cheers,
Jason
