Chateau Montelena

Napa Valley Chardonnay

9.217 ratings
9.22 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
Jay Kline

I suppose there is no better place to start than with a fresh example of the wine that changed the game forever. This remains a very classic example of Napa Chardonnay in the most complimentary of ways. Ample fruit that lean on the more tropical (pineapple) side but falls short of being squishy. Lemon and lime citrus too. The oak is prominent for sure but it’s not a buttery mess. There’s good acid that gives plenty of lift and it finishes long. A very balanced wine that will probably benefit from 5+ years in the cellar.

I suppose there is no better place to start than with a fresh example of the wine that changed the game forever. This remains a very classic example of Napa Chardonnay in the most complimentary of ways. Ample fruit that lean on the more tropical (pineapple) side but falls short of being squishy. Lemon and lime citrus too. The oak is prominent for sure but it’s not a buttery mess. There’s good acid that gives plenty of lift and it finishes long. A very balanced wine that will probably benefit from 5+ years in the cellar.

Jun 19th, 2023
Renato Hoyle

Long

Long

Dec 26th, 2022
Jakub Kalinowski

Cool, fresh, very elegant. Nicely reductive.
This is quite complex and really lovely!
Restrained, very taught & focused. Precise. So elegant! Amazing depth and energy. I really like this. The 14.5% alc unnoticeable. Fresh, racy and really, really elegant. This is a complete wine. A stunner!

Cool, fresh, very elegant. Nicely reductive.
This is quite complex and really lovely!
Restrained, very taught & focused. Precise. So elegant! Amazing depth and energy. I really like this. The 14.5% alc unnoticeable. Fresh, racy and really, really elegant. This is a complete wine. A stunner!

Apr 20th, 2024
Brandon T

Can’t believe this was my first time trying this. Solid and a decent ‘value’ chard sub-$50.

Can’t believe this was my first time trying this. Solid and a decent ‘value’ chard sub-$50.

May 3rd, 2022
Bill Mowry

Lemon, mango, and pear citrus flavors with silky feel. Delicious.

Lemon, mango, and pear citrus flavors with silky feel. Delicious.

Jan 30th, 2022
Nathan

Perfect wine for a hot summer day. Flavors of peach in the snout and earthy tones in the back.

Perfect wine for a hot summer day. Flavors of peach in the snout and earthy tones in the back.

Sep 6th, 2020
Don Ho
9.3

Don had this 4 months ago

Don had this 4 months ago

Jul 3rd, 2024
Diane McMurray

Diane had this 9 months ago

Diane had this 9 months ago

Feb 6th, 2024
Raffi Bloom

Raffi had this a year ago

Raffi had this a year ago

Jul 30th, 2023
James Pullman

James had this 2 years ago

James had this 2 years ago

Dec 25th, 2022