2020 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay

For more than four decades, the Barrett family has been making wine at Chateau Montelena, with praise for wines that combine intensity and strength with a luscious, rich texture - wines that express the unique characteristics of the land they come from. People like to talk about Terroir wines here because they are averse to techniques that are used in the cellar to compensate for a non-special terroir or fruit with a chemistry box

The estate's Chateau and vineyards were originally established in the 1880s at the base of Mount St. Helena in Calistoga, on the north side of the Napa Valley, and the winery was in operation until 1949. The rise of Chateau Montelena is particularly came after Steven Spurrier organized a blind wine tasting in 1976. The best French whites from Burgundy and best reds from Bordeaux were compared to the best the US had to offer in chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon at the time. And guess what: the Nappa Valley houses from the USA won in both categories. Stag's Leap Wine Cellars by red, and by white….. Montelena. The wine world shook to its foundations, you will understand, and American (read: Napa Valley) winemakers were really on the map for the first time. The most amusing way to get to know the whole story - if you haven't already - is to watch the movie Bottle Shock (starring the brilliant and much-too-deceased Alan Rickman as Steven Spurrier). Read more about this famous winery under the tab: Winery

Owner/Founder Jim Barrett bought the historic site in 1972 and restored the winery and vineyards with the aim of producing the best quality Cabernet Sauvignon and they certainly succeeded but now they are also seen with their unique chardonnays which are characterized by great acidity who also ensures that the wines can age fantastically.

The Montelena Chardonnay Napa Valley has a beautiful golden straw yellow color in the glass. In the nose the wine opens with cinnamon and ripe peach, enhanced by aromas of melon, pear, honeysuckle and spices with beautiful fruity acidity of green apple and vanilla from the oak aging. In the mouth, the wine is very elegant and in terms of style rather a beautiful Burgundy than very full California wines. We taste some citrus and orange and there is good tension between the fruit, the nice acidity and civilized alcohol level (13.9%) with a nice texture and minerality nicely contrasted by freshly baked bread from the 10 months aging in new oak.

FACT: In the Tab: Appendix you will find the official fact sheet of this fine wine. We will automatically send it to you when you order this wine. The wine is in our conditioned Wine Warehouse and if you come to pick up the wine you will also receive a nice discount. We are almost next to the national road with plenty of parking space. Click here for address