Chateau Montelena
Napa Valley Chardonnay
Napa Valley, California, USA
Out of Mag. Tasting pitch perfect: clay, mineral, white flowers, the stones of stone fruit, heady. Lean, unripe peach. Has the finish of Chablis (tart wet chalk) but has a more yellow fruit entry. Pretty. I want cases to age.
Out of Mag. Tasting pitch perfect: clay, mineral, white flowers, the stones of stone fruit, heady. Lean, unripe peach. Has the finish of Chablis (tart wet chalk) but has a more yellow fruit entry. Pretty. I want cases to age.
Dec 11th, 2019
A lovley wine, great balance and creamy mid palate. I always catch a little pencil shaving from this wine too.
A lovley wine, great balance and creamy mid palate. I always catch a little pencil shaving from this wine too.
Dec 13th, 2017
Founded in 1882 by Alfred Tubbs. In 1972, under the leadership of James Barrett, replanting began. Today Jim's son, Bo, is now its Master Winemaker. Ripe stone fruit aromas with notes of honey. In the palate crisp pear, melon and lemon zest come forth wrapped in vanilla oak. Lingering finish ending with creamy notes fruit ending with hints of pepper spice.
Founded in 1882 by Alfred Tubbs. In 1972, under the leadership of James Barrett, replanting began. Today Jim's son, Bo, is now its Master Winemaker. Ripe stone fruit aromas with notes of honey. In the palate crisp pear, melon and lemon zest come forth wrapped in vanilla oak. Lingering finish ending with creamy notes fruit ending with hints of pepper spice.
Sep 11th, 2017Nice Classic Chardonnay expected to age well. Slight tartness should smooth out with age. Not buttery like many other Napa Chardonnays.
Nice Classic Chardonnay expected to age well. Slight tartness should smooth out with age. Not buttery like many other Napa Chardonnays.
1 person found it helpfulAug 9th, 2017
Always a classic. Bright acidity rich texture and beautiful Chardonnay fruit.
Always a classic. Bright acidity rich texture and beautiful Chardonnay fruit.
Feb 8th, 2017
Not sure how this wine won the 76 tasting.
Not sure how this wine won the 76 tasting.
Nov 19th, 2016
Nose is nice with lemons, maybe some tropical sunscreen (or sunscreen in the tropics) with underlying freshness like grass. Palate is wonderful. So much better than the current release at the winery. There’s tropical fruit and flowers, a lot of apples, lemon curd, good acidity. I can’t quite put my finger on the tart fruit at the end. Maybe key lime and something… ok so after another hour of air more honeysuckle, baked green apple, a bit of hay, stile with a tart lemon/lime flavor. The viscosity is really nice too. Talking with wife about it, it is almost like a flat champagne, in a really good way.
Nose is nice with lemons, maybe some tropical sunscreen (or sunscreen in the tropics) with underlying freshness like grass. Palate is wonderful. So much better than the current release at the winery. There’s tropical fruit and flowers, a lot of apples, lemon curd, good acidity. I can’t quite put my finger on the tart fruit at the end. Maybe key lime and something… ok so after another hour of air more honeysuckle, baked green apple, a bit of hay, stile with a tart lemon/lime flavor. The viscosity is really nice too. Talking with wife about it, it is almost like a flat champagne, in a really good way.
Dec 6th, 2021
2014 Chateau Montelana Chardonnay saved for a special occasion. Sharp and acidic at first, but mellow after opening up and paired with food. Notes of citrus, lemon and slight hints of butter after taste.
2014 Chateau Montelana Chardonnay saved for a special occasion. Sharp and acidic at first, but mellow after opening up and paired with food. Notes of citrus, lemon and slight hints of butter after taste.
Jul 10th, 2020