This post is a little different than my normal format. I was offered an opportunity too good to pass up: Chateau Montalena tasting with special guest Bo Barrett. This event was hosted by Pogo’s Wine and Spirits in Dallas. Pogo’s is an exceptional wine and spirit retailer. Pogo’s has an excellent selection of wines from all over the world plus a staff that is both friendly and knowledgeable. Pogo’s offers wine tastings many days a week but clearly this one was particularly special! To learn more about Pogo’s and to sign up to receive their emails visit www.pogoswine.com.  There were four wines offered at the Chateau Montalena tasting and I will review each of them.

2011 Napa Valley Chardonnay: The 2011 NV Chardonnay’s delicate golden color glistens in the light. On the nose the wine offers an orchard’s bounty with flavors of crisp green apples along with pineapple, pear and honeydew melon. On the palate the fruit draws forward with pears and citrus while being accompanied with a delicately balanced oak that does not overwhelm. The balanced acidity adds depth to this beautiful wine that allows for versatile food pairings. Barrel aging: 10 months in 100% French oak, 8% new. 13.6% alcohol; SRP $50.

2011 Montelena Estate Zinfandel: The 2011 Estate Zinfandel is a lovely ruby red wine. On the nose the wine offers baking spices, soft pepper, baked cherries, and anise. On the palate this wine is light in body but full of flavor, offering baked fruit, baking spices, anise, with mild tobacco and oak. It has nice tannins that offer just the right amount of dryness on the palate that begs for the next sip. Barrel aging: 14 months in 50% French & 50% American oak, 13% new. 14.5% alcohol; SRP $44.00.

2011 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon: The 2011 NV Cabernet is a soft garnet red wine. On the nose the wine offers red berries, vanilla, anise and a hint of tobacco. On the palate this wine is a beautiful array of raspberries, blueberries, strawberries and red currants; followed by a hint of spice and a deep toasted cedar. This wine is well balanced with mid palate tannins that pair great with food but also drinks beautifully by itself. This wine is comprised of 91.5% Cabernet, 8% Merlot and.5% Cab Franc. Barrel aging: 14 months French and Eastern European, 27% new. 13.4% alcohol; SRP $50.00.

2010 Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon: The 2010 Estate Cabernet is deep velvet red; it is simply gorgeous! On the nose this wine brings black fruits, baking spices, chocolate, coffee and damp underbrush. On the palate this wine melts into the mouth with black berries, black currants and black raspberries; followed by dark chocolate, vanilla and hints of coffee baking spices and oak. This wine is fabulous! It is everything one would expect from a premier Napa Valley winery! The tannins leave dryness in the mouth that begs for another sip. This meaty cab would pair excellently with the right food; however, I believe this is one wine that I would most enjoy drinking by itself in order to savor ever last drop! This wine is comprised of 98.75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 1.25% Cabernet Franc. Barrel aging: 22 months 100% French oak, 29% new. 14.2% alcohol; SRP $150.00.

The opportunity to taste these amazing wines was such a treat for me! However, that was not the end of the fun. Pogo’s offered fruit and cheese but the best pairing of all was the man himself: Mr. Bo Barrett. He was friendly and welcoming to all the guests.  It was a thrill to meet him and to enjoy the fruits of his labor! To learn more about Chateau Montelena and to purchase wine direct from them visit www.montelena.com. To find Chateau Montelena wines near you visit www.wine-searcher.com. All of the wines produced by Chateau Montelena are exceptional; I recommend you buy all of them!

My Song Selection: What song could I possible chose to represent such a special occasion of such great wine and great company? I decided to pick the number one classic rock song of 1973 to celebrate Chateau Montelena; furthermore, it is an incredible apropos song: Freebird by Lynard Skynard. To see the list visit http://ultimateclassicrock.com/1973-songs/; to hear the song visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=np0solnL1XY&feature=youtu.be; and to see the trailer of Bottle Shock visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYs0kblXToA.

Get your own bottles of exceptional Chateau Montelena wines and let me know what song you would pair with them. Cheers!