Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 750ml
Napa Valley, California, United States
Producer:Montelena
93
Wine
Advocate
$76.99
In Stock
1
Product Description
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.
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.
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Expert Reviews
93
Wine AdvocateThe 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.
Napa Valley, nestled in the picturesque landscape of Northern California, is renowned worldwide as a mecca for wine enthusiasts, with its crown jewel being the illustrious Cabernet Sauvignon. Here, the warm, sun-drenched days and cool, breezy nights create the perfect environment for grapes to flourish, resulting in wines bursting with flavor and character. Beyond its famed Cabernet, Napa cultivates an array of grape varieties, from elegant Chardonnays to robust Merlots, each expressing the region's unique terroir. Winemakers, akin to artisans, skillfully blend these varietals, crafting wines that are as diverse as they are delightful. With over 400 wineries to explore, including iconic names like Opus One, Napa offers an immersive tasting experience, where every sip tells a story of passion, innovation, and sustainability. Cheers to Napa Valley, where the art of winemaking reaches its pinnacle!
Chardonnay is a versatile white wine grape known for producing a wide range of styles, from unoaked and crisp to rich and buttery. It exhibits flavors such as green apple, citrus, and vanilla, making it a popular and widely planted grape variety worldwide. Chardonnay is often associated with Burgundy in France and has found success in regions such as California, Australia, and Chile, showcasing its adaptability to diverse terroirs and winemaking techniques.