Chateau Montelena

Napa Valley Chardonnay

9.1250 ratings
9.045 pro ratings
Napa Valley, California, USA
Chardonnay
Duck, Shellfish, Goose, Mushrooms, Manchego & Parmesan, Game, Pork, Squash & Root Vegetables, Chicken, Turkey, Cheddar & Gruyere, Meaty & Oily Fish, White Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Cream Sauces
Top Notes For
Austin Hohnke

Such a classy bitch. Stylish, refined, and youthful. Drinking so well right now with a fantastic mineral backbone. The oak influence is seamless but pronounced.

Still a polarizing wine though with some blind tasters recognizing the wine’s quality while still being put off by the genre of oaked California Chardonnay.

Such a classy bitch. Stylish, refined, and youthful. Drinking so well right now with a fantastic mineral backbone. The oak influence is seamless but pronounced.

Still a polarizing wine though with some blind tasters recognizing the wine’s quality while still being put off by the genre of oaked California Chardonnay.

Mar 26th, 2023
Patrick Derdeyn

Its developing some really nice complexity at 7yrs. Still a big and slightly oaked chardonnay but developing some mineral and waxy notes as it ages.

Its developing some really nice complexity at 7yrs. Still a big and slightly oaked chardonnay but developing some mineral and waxy notes as it ages.

Jan 29th, 2019
Wilfred Wong

Chief Storyteller, Wine.com

9.1

Medium straw color; active stones in the aromas, keen and fine, some tart apples, excellent depth; medium bodied; dry, fine acidity, well balanced; bright apple flavors, maybe a note of chalk and sweet earth in the background; medium finish, lively aftertaste. This is a really fine effort and brings us back to the early years. The first vintage I tasted was the 1973, when it was just a baby and I really found it remarkable. (Best Served: 2014-2018) #chardonnay #napavalley

Medium straw color; active stones in the aromas, keen and fine, some tart apples, excellent depth; medium bodied; dry, fine acidity, well balanced; bright apple flavors, maybe a note of chalk and sweet earth in the background; medium finish, lively aftertaste. This is a really fine effort and brings us back to the early years. The first vintage I tasted was the 1973, when it was just a baby and I really found it remarkable. (Best Served: 2014-2018) #chardonnay #napavalley

5 people found it helpfulDec 21st, 2014
Christanna Honer

Lemon squares caked w dried coconut & vanilla bean on nose with some buttered toast notes. Palate is full of sweet citrus, juicy yellow apple and spiced vanilla cream pie. Kind of heavy on the finish.

Lemon squares caked w dried coconut & vanilla bean on nose with some buttered toast notes. Palate is full of sweet citrus, juicy yellow apple and spiced vanilla cream pie. Kind of heavy on the finish.

1 person found it helpfulMay 16th, 2015
Tom Higgins

Owner/Winemaker Heart & Hands Wine Company

8.7

Oak is a little pronounced on the nose with hints of apricot and vanilla lingering in the background. Blood orange and vanilla on the palate. Seems very focused with the bright acid.

Oak is a little pronounced on the nose with hints of apricot and vanilla lingering in the background. Blood orange and vanilla on the palate. Seems very focused with the bright acid.

1 person found it helpfulNov 16th, 2014
Andrew Harris

Livin large on Friday night.. what better to celebrate

Livin large on Friday night.. what better to celebrate

Mar 4th, 2017
Nick Benz

Meyer lemon, straw, guava

Meyer lemon, straw, guava

May 15th, 2016
Austin Hohnke

Finesse and elegance. A minimalist, retrained, and refined Chard. Simply gorgeous.

Finesse and elegance. A minimalist, retrained, and refined Chard. Simply gorgeous.

Jan 22nd, 2016
John Skupny - Lang & Reed Wine Company

Tight, a little green - should blossom in time

Tight, a little green - should blossom in time

Jan 21st, 2016
Daniel P. Drake

Enjoying the afternoon watching "Bottle Shock" with a lovely bottle of Chateau Montelena Chardonnay. Purchased for $33.99. The nose shows lovely fruit, passionfruit, pineapple, peach and a good minerality. On the palate there are good citrus notes, lemon, granny smith apples, honeysuckle, very nice minerality, wet river rock on the backend. Medium + acidity with a long crisp refreshing finish. Very nice Chard.

Enjoying the afternoon watching "Bottle Shock" with a lovely bottle of Chateau Montelena Chardonnay. Purchased for $33.99. The nose shows lovely fruit, passionfruit, pineapple, peach and a good minerality. On the palate there are good citrus notes, lemon, granny smith apples, honeysuckle, very nice minerality, wet river rock on the backend. Medium + acidity with a long crisp refreshing finish. Very nice Chard.

Oct 3rd, 2015