Chateau Montelena Chardonnay (2023)

Château Montelena is one of Napa Valley’s most iconic estates, founded in 1882 in Calistoga and revived in 1968 by the Barrett family, who shaped its reputation for classically structured, Old‑World‑influenced wines. The winery achieved global fame when its 1973 Chardonnay won the 1976 Judgment of Paris, a landmark victory that helped establish Napa Valley on the world wine stage. Today, under the leadership of Bo Barrett, Montelena continues to craft refined, terroir‑driven Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay, balancing tradition, meticulous farming, and a commitment to purity and longevity.

Cool vintages are something special. While there's certainly California luster and opulence in the margins, both are tucked away right now, overshadowed by lush pear, lime leaf and orange blossom. The minerality and tension on the palate are simply awesome and the acidity is bright and racy. Wines from cool-vintages tend to mature slightly more slowly than their warm-vintage cousins, so expect the parade of citrus, green apple and flinty minerals to dominate for the next few years. That said, the mouthfeel is just gorgeous with more gravitas and weight than one would have expected at this time; a very pleasant surprise.