Chateau Montelena Winery - Established 1882

2007 Montelena Estate Zinfandel

• OTHER VINTAGES
  • 2008 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 2007 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 2006 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 2005 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 2004 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 2003 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 2002 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 2001 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 2000 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1999 Montelena Estate Saint Vincent
  • 1998 Montelena Estate Saint Vincent
  • 1997 Montelena Estate Saint Vincent
  • 1996 Montelena Estate Saint Vincent
  • 1995 Montelena Estate Saint Vincent
  • 1994 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1993 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1992 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1991 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1990 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1989 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1988 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1987 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1986 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1985 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1984 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1983 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1982 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1981 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1980 Montelena Estate Zinfandel
  • 1979 California Zinfandel
  • 1978 California Zinfandel
  • 1977 California Zinfandel
  • 1976 North Coast Zinfandel
  • 1975 Napa and Alexander Valleys Zinfandel
  • 1974 Napa and Alexander Valleys Zinfandel
  • 1973 Napa Valley Zinfandel

Normal is the word of the day for the 2007 vintage, and when it comes to farming, normal is good. When you’re talking about Chateau Montelena, normal is very, very good. We saw historically average timing of bud break and correspondingly, a standard harvest as well.

vintage weather

The growing season here in Calistoga was very even and unremarkable – not too hot, not too cold – which is great for thin-skinned Zinfandel as it raisins quite easily and is more susceptible to rot problems when it rains. In 2007, we saw more even ripening of the grape clusters and the absence of the typical dry heat helped keep sugars (and thus the alcohols) down this season. Crop levels were also up this year, likely due to the lack of extreme temperature in both the spring and the fall.

tasting notes

This Zinfandel has a very pleasing, bright, clean ruby color. The nose is loaded with interest, from tobacco and cedar-spice box to classic Zinfandel briar-berry and bright strawberry on top. With a soft entry, the palate builds to a big, jammy mid-palate rich with barrel spice, clean tart blackberry, and velvety tannins throughout. Sweet vanilla notes lead into a smooth, ripe berry finish with hints of passion fruit.