Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Ridge Vineyards — Estate Chardonnay 2023
Monte Bello Estate, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA 🇺🇸

Overview
100% Chardonnay from Ridge’s Monte Bello Estate, high in the Santa Cruz Mountains and strongly influenced by the cool Pacific. The exceptionally long, cool 2023 growing season preserved freshness and varietal character, while barrel fermentation followed by nine months on the lees added texture and dimension. At 14.1% ABV, it carries surprising substance without sacrificing its cool-climate identity.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh lemon, yellow apple, pear, citrus blossom, and subtle stone fruit unfold gradually, joined by mineral notes, gentle vanilla, and restrained barrel nuances. Air brings out additional layers without turning the wine overtly oaky.

Mouthfeel
Beautifully texturized yet remarkably fresh. Bright acidity provides tension while lees aging gives the mid-palate a gentle creaminess and polished weight. It keeps evolving after opening, moving between delicacy, mineral energy, and increasingly expressive fruit.

Food Pairings
Excellent alone, but equally comfortable with scallops, lobster, grilled halibut, roasted chicken, mushroom risotto, or richer seafood preparations. Its combination of acidity and texture lets it pivot effortlessly between sipping and serious cuisine.

Verdict
A fascinating expression of mountain-grown California Chardonnay. Delicate yet substantial, refreshing yet textural, it demonstrates how a cool Pacific-influenced site can deliver ripeness without sacrificing precision or energy.

Did You Know?
Monte Bello sits high above Silicon Valley on the Santa Cruz Mountains ridge, with vineyards exposed to significant Pacific influence. Ridge notes that 2023 was one of its longest and coolest recent growing seasons; the extended harvest helped preserve acidity while allowing slow flavor development—the tension you can genuinely feel in this Chardonnay.

🍷 Personal Pick
This sits comfortably among my favorite coastal-influenced Northern California Chardonnays. What gets me is the evolution: refreshing and delicate at first, then progressively more textural and expressive as it opens. It has enough finesse to enjoy completely on its own and enough structure to sit beside fine cuisine. That versatility, without losing its cool-climate personality, is what makes this one special. — a month ago

Kayla Watson

9.5

So much different than the chardonnays I typically go for, but this is so good! — 2 years ago

Some Dude

9.1

This is such a well made wine. The complexity of the fruit shines through. If you are looking for a big, buttery oak bomb, then move on. This is a wonderful precise and clean wine with depth and soul. — 4 years ago

Nick Danger

9.2

Rocked the party with our lobster! Full bodied, smidge buttery but also minerals. Deeeelightful! — 5 years ago

Austin Baik

9.2

Floral, buttery, yet crisp?! — 5 years ago

Michael Ell

9.2

If you are over the buttery, oaky California Chardonnay then this is for you. — 6 years ago

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. — 3 months ago

Kapyrick Wine

9.2

v21. Consistently very good! Fragrant creme brûlée nose. Buttery honeysuckle and lime fruit. Luscious soft oak finish. Always good! — 7 months ago

Randy Fuller

9.4

This wine is straw yellow in color. Its nose gives aromas of pear and apple, with lemon coming in behind. There is a hint of oak in the bouquet. The palate brings the citrus minerality to the forefront to play with the fruit flavors. Acidity is bright, but not overpowering. The wine finishes a bit oakier than the nose would have suggested, but it is a pleasurable hit of oak spice. I paired mine with buttery potato pierogies and a carrot risotto dish, and was quite pleased. — 2 years ago

Dawn E.

8.9

Somewhere between 8.9 and 9.0. Nice peach, apricots, vanilla pudding and lemon. Oak lends more to a "creaminess"; does not show awkward buttery aftertaste. Grocery store selection (2nd bottle this month) 😱.
Most important note..first Robin sighting today! — 5 years ago

Roberta Kallina

9.1

Very buttery hence the name. 🤣 i like it! — 5 years ago

KDU Wine Club

8.9

Lacking aromatic aspect. Nice buttery, crisp and refreshing taste with a notable length. — 6 years ago

with KDU

Jayna Fontenot

9.0

Buttery, creamy, and exactly what I look for in a cali Chard. Yum. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

My last bottle of 2013 Art Series Chardonnay. This remains one of the top Chardonnays in Australia together with Giaconda and Bindi Quartz Block for mine. As per previous note aromatics of white peach and cashew together with mealy notes. Not as full bodied as other Art Series but certainly doing well at 13 years of age. I often identify a dried pear character and this has hints of that. 98 points from James Halliday. — 4 months ago

Chantel Marie Rivera

9.4

Outstanding! Love this wine. Not too oaky. Not too buttery. Just the right balance. — 9 months ago

Michael Prince

9.4

Very buttery composition — 2 years ago

Erik Rini

9.2

Heavy oak and very buttery, typical Orin Swift production with high alcohol, very delicious!👍👍👍 — 4 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.1

Nice blend of aromas. Green apple, pear, white flowers and a touch of citrus. Same fruits on the pallet along with hints of almonds and yellow apple. Hint of salinity on the finish. Not buttery at all. Exceptional balance and complexity. Crisp and medium bodied. Thank You John P. — 5 years ago

Robert Swart

9.0

Medium bodied and low acidity. Primarily Chardonnay and secondary flavor of Viognier. Flavors of oak, flowers and slightly buttery. Great with grilled Chilean sea bass and shrimp. — 5 years ago

Jody Wycech

9.4

Loved this wine. Unoaked. Lemon and grapefruit. Floral on the nose. Bright palette. Not as heavy as those Cali chardonnays. Would love to have again. — 6 years ago

with Peter and Diane