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. — 18 days ago

Brad Jensen

9.4

Musk, Holly berries and bramble, pine needles, iron, velvet, driftwood, hints of coffee and bold red meat. There’s berries in there, red, lush, ripe and dark, but it’s so well integrated into the perfume (and it is perfume) that it’s impossible to separate them. Like a thin spread of preserves and dank basement. Palate has that lean nature of Syrah, between medium and light bodied, tannins present, but molded well into the palate, not ostentatious. Lush, silky dark red and black fruits roll forth, along with some charcoal, graphite, blood, and iron. — 5 months ago

with Tiva

Jack Petras

8.9

This 2023 is an affordable “ Brother” of the northern Rhône. All about light bodied freshness and nuance, hints at it s big brothers in Crozes Hermitage. Will be a delightful picnic wine as the warmer weather arrives. Under $20 a bottle. — a year ago

Peter Sultan

9.1

American geography ignoramus that I am, little did I know that the Northernmost tip of the Rhone- Cote Rotie- is the kissing cousin of Beaujolais. St. Amour is more midpoint, but has that great granite terroir which makes this long standing Cru Bojo (& under 20$) a perennial fave. It’s that mineral tautness I love. — 5 years ago

Ramon Pyramus

9.2

Heel bijzonder gedronken met Geerten, kan 2021. Gekocht in Jordaan zomer 2019 (ca €20) — 6 years ago

Pierre-nicolas Chabanel

8.9

Vintage 2024 — 2 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

vintage 2023 | What a joy! Juiciness and rondeur. Put the Guigal in the shadow. Must search for this wine. — 2 months ago

Sébastien F

9.1

Nez sur un bonbon discret mais attirant, bouche est tendu vive fruits rouge grenadine. Amertume finale étirante. — 6 months ago

Daniel McCullough

9.5

Out of half; a real pleasure to have in a nice Summer’s day in Reims! — 4 years ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

Another great one from the master. This was the wine that got me to seek out every btl I could find of this producer after tasting the 00 Reynard at Willys Wine Bar in Paris. I am always amazed at the finesse, balance & complexity of Allemand. This was another great vintage that is still youthful & for me in a perfect spot that should age for many years. — 5 years ago

Lee W

9.0

Great Beaujolais ! — 6 years ago

Dan R

9.0

Sappy, grainy-textured, plump, spicy and meaty, this full-throttled expression will need a year or two to settle down. Bursting at the seams. 2018 bojo personified, on the power side of the power /elegance spectrum. As always, excellent value from Brun. — 6 years ago

Ericsson

9.5

Very good champagne. Bright and airy. — 4 months ago

Joe Carroll

Owner/Wine Director Spuyten Duyvil, Fette Sau, St. Anselm & Gotham Artisanal Provisions

8.9

A bit to extracted for me — 3 months ago

Ryan Douglas Wells

9.0

Almost effervescent with acidity, bright, with tart cherries, the funk and slight brine of olives, and a pleasant mid-mouth weight. — 4 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.3

A killer Cornas. Needs a lot more time. — 8 months ago

Jess

9.0

Medium ruby color.
Aromas of blackberry compote, raspberry.
Dry. Flavors of raspberry jam on buttered toast, tart blackberry, violets, clove. Good depth of flavor.

Intensity: 4/5
Complexity: 4/5
Balance: 4/5
Finish: 4/5 — 4 years ago

Robert S.

8.9

Great balance of cherries, minerality and tannins. Decant and enjoy. Solid QPR. — 5 years ago

Julia K

10

This was a hundo p for me! — 5 years ago

Scott Petrus

9.2

We want the funk..... Bertrand is force to be reckoned with. — 6 years ago