Chateau Montelena Chardonnay – 750ML

WA 93

A Napa Green Certified Winery

Tasting Notes

Bright gold in color and incredibly aromatic, the ripeness of the vintage is most pronounced initially; melon, perfume, and orange blossom slowly give way to fresh peach, honeysuckle and apricot. There’s very little overt oak influence on the nose, although it comes across subtly in the background as pie crust and toast.
It’s the suppleness and silky mouthfeel that strike first, although there’s abundant mango and citrus with Meyer lemon here as well. The minerality is chalky and distinct, a beautiful contrast that layers in with the acid adding both complexity and depth.
There’s slightly more wood on the transition to the finish, surfacing as baking spice and crème brûlée. However, they’re handily overwhelmed by notes of Asian pear, mango and pineapple—absolutely delicious. In time, expect hazelnut and almond to appear.

Serving Suggestion

This is a totally food friendly wine that can be enjoyed on its own, or as a complement to any number of dishes – especially fresh seafood, shellfish or poultry. The creaminess of a crab salad or lobster roll will cut through the acidity and citrus notes of the wine beautifully.

Wine Advocate

93 Points // The 2020 Chardonnay was released in October 2022. As usual, it's a non-malolactic fermentation wine, matured in a relatively small proportion of new French oak, and so it reveals hints of apple, tangerine and lime on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it's sappy, a bit linear and vibrant on the palate, finishing crisp and long. I've capped the aging estimate at a decade, but past vintages have aged successfully for 20 years or more, depending on your preferences. Best After 2023.
Varietal Chardonnay
Country United States
Region California
Appellation Napa Valley
Brand Chateau Montelena
Vintage 2020

$79.99

in a mixed case:
$67.99
SKU 28655
750ML

12 in stock