Austin Blackwell

9.3

Perfect time to drink. — 14 days ago

with Angelina

JKT

9.1

Very nicely aged Cali Chard that balances new world fruit with old world leanness — 2 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.6

Medium straw color. Aromas of pineapple, stone fruit, fig and lemon. Small delicate bubbles, with flavors of tropical fruits and biscut.

🏅97 Points - James Suckling
🏅95 Points - Wine Enthusiast — 2 months ago

Conrad Green

9.7

Spectacular. Fresh with lime, wet stone, incredible poise and delicacy. Just gorgeous — 4 months ago

with Walker and David

Joe Fischer

9.4

An excellent Pinot Noir with notes of blackberry, minerality, pine, and forest floor. On the bud, it’s enriched with raspberry, black cherry, and stewed fruits. Very smooth with a long finish. — 8 months ago

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.3

Typical Raveneau, oyster shells, white stone fruit, medium body. — 4 years ago

Jocholla

9.0

Peach, mango, full body balanced by bright acidity. Not a lot getting in the way here. — 4 years ago

Conrad Green

9.6

Gorgeous limpid soft lime and wet stone with some hints of peach and a subtle rounded mindshare. Complex, light deft and delicious this us in a perfect place right now — 9 days ago

with Bex and Major-General

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Chateau Montelena — Chardonnay 2023
Napa Valley, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
Released as a tribute to the 50th anniversary of the historic 1976 Judgment of Paris, this vintage continues the legacy that forever changed the perception of California wine. Crafted in Montelena’s unmistakable style, it favors precision, freshness, and restraint over richness, proving Napa Chardonnay can be both powerful and elegant.

Aromas & Flavors
Lemon curd, baked pear, crisp apple, citrus blossom, and subtle white peach are beautifully intertwined with delicate hints of wet stone, light vanilla, and restrained oak.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied with vibrant acidity and exceptional balance. Rich enough to satisfy yet remarkably focused, the palate delivers silky texture, impressive tension, and a long, refined finish that never feels heavy.

Food Pairings
Lobster, scallops, roasted chicken, creamy risotto, grilled halibut, or triple-cream Brie.

Verdict
A benchmark New World Chardonnay that continues to set the standard nearly five decades after its historic triumph. Complex, poised, and beautifully balanced, it is a wine that appeals equally to classic California Chardonnay lovers and those who typically favor more restrained Old World expressions.

Did You Know?
The 1973 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay won the white wine category at the 1976 Judgment of Paris, defeating France’s finest Burgundies in a blind tasting and forever changing the reputation of California wine on the world stage. The 2023 vintage celebrates the 50th anniversary of that landmark event.

🍷 Personal Pick
I’m generally selective with Napa Chardonnay, often preferring leaner, mineral-driven styles. Chateau Montelena remains one of my rare exceptions. It captures the generosity of Napa’s sunshine while preserving freshness, finesse, and impeccable balance. This is a permanent fixture in my cellar and one of the few New World Chardonnays I’d confidently pour for someone who believes they don’t enjoy Napa Chardonnay. — a month ago

Kristina Conte

10

absolute favorite moderately priced easygoing red — 6 months ago

Doug Powers

8.9

Lovely blackberry aromas and flavors up front, nice depth and balance, good acidity, medium-long finish, solid Heathcote Shiraz, lingering finish, very good!! — 9 months ago

with Jim

Megan Donnamiller

9.2

With Christina and Tigh outside at our house — 4 years ago

Brandon Beldengreen-Karas

9.2

Shout out to Julia and Tiffany’s for the stemware! Bursting with apples and stone fruit. Biscuit dough and preserved lemon add complexity. Worthy for a celebration, and if a celebration in itself. — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.7

Opened about 30min prior to service. The 2017 Clos Ste. Hune pours a pale straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing wjth beguiling notes of the perfectly ripe Comice pear, a mix of stone and tropical fruits, lemon blossom, a touch of petrol and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish lasts forever. This is unbelievably balanced and a fantastic pairing with the toro crudo. This is just at the beginning of what’s sure to be a very long drinking window. Enjoy now through 2057. — 3 days ago

Pierre-Alain Chenour

8.9

Interesting Sauvignon blanc. Smell of passion fruit. Mid dry-sweet surprisingly — 2 months ago

Brian Hearty

9.6

2014. Enjoyed a small splash at the end of a great birthday meal at The Oven!
Such pure stone fruit and honeyed aromas and flavors with balanced sweetness and acidity. — 3 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Founded in 1982 by Koerner and Joan Rombauer and sits on a tree covered knoll overlooking the Napa Valley, with caves that extend for over a mile. Pale lemon color with aromas of stone and tropical fruit, sweet oak, spice and floral scents. On the palate flavors of ripe peach, melon and apple, with vanilla spice, creamy texture. Medium+ finish, well balanced with acidity, ending with mineral notes. — 6 months ago

leon egozi

9.3

NY wine spectator event — 10 months ago

Catherine Gmoser

9.2

Full bodied, fruity — 4 years ago

with Liz

KD

9.3

Light straw colour with notes of bread, lemon, pear, apricot and white flower on the nose. Lively and ample mousse with a bright acidity. On the palate, lemon, tart green apple, unripe pear, white peach with some chalk and wet stone minerality. Long finish with a lemon zing and brioche. Very enjoyable but still very young and will be awesome in another 5 years! — 5 years ago