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 day ago

"Odedi"

9.4

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Dark ruby in color with a short reddish rim.

Fruity nose of cedar, herbs, tobacco leaf, herbs, black currants, black plums, cooked cherries, spices, vanilla, licorice, cloves, mint, black pepper and light earth.

Full-bodied with medium acidity.

Dry on the palate with black currants, black plums, blackberries, cedar, vanilla, spices, espresso, cola, light herbs, earth, chocolates, tobacco leaf and peppercorn.

Long finish with fine grained tannins and tangy cherries.

This 8 year old Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley is already gorgeous, although still young.

Showing nice complexity with a nice mouthfeel. Spicy and entertaining.

The 2016 was a great vintage, and it is showing. This Single Vineyard cabernet will continue to age nicely in the next 10 to 15 years.

Good right out of the bottle, and better with airtime.

Robert Parker 97 points. Wine Enthusiasts 96 points.

I've had a few vintages of this wine, and it always delivers.

Thank you Barry for sharing this with me.

Good by itself as a sipping wine, and will pair nicely with BBQ Meats. I paired it beef brisket.

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes were aged in (65% new) French oak barrels for 18 months.

14.7% alcohol by volume

94 points.

$180. — 2 years ago

Brandon Boesch

9.2

Interesting wine. I actually like a lot of the flavors but there is a mid palate oddness that is probably more from brain tasting Chardonnay and sauv blanc at the same time. Huge amount of minerals, sea salt, grass, with a finish of fresh nectarines, lemons, and lychee fruit. Interesting. — 3 years ago

Nicole Ruiz Hudson

8.9

N: really toasty, almonds, lemon, pear
P: brioche, baked ripe red apples, squeeze of lemon and salt. Toasty and leesy. Very tasty and Rich, but finishes crisp on the finish with hints of smoke and salt.
The hubby in particular loved this one.
#sample — 4 years ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.0

Warm & elegant with blueberries & cassis, a fresh whiff of violets plus an attractive earthy-herby tone in the background.
On the palate this is fresh with pure fruit, velvety, mouth coating tannins and a minty accent toward the long finish. The 14.5% alc is impeccably integrated.
This is pure hedonistic drinking pleasure, without overdoing it and retaining a elegant frame. A perfect match for a flank steak in black pepper sauce. — 5 years ago

Scott@Mister A’s-San Diego

8.9

2023 vintage. PNP. Light-medium body. Candied and pretty but I need a string to bring this helium balloon down to earth a tad before it hits the power lines. 2.2.26. — 6 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.3

Deep ruby color. Aromas of black fruit, thyme, bell pepper and baking spices. Blackberry on the palate, herbs and earthy finish.

🏅97 Points - Jeb Dunnuck
🏅97 Points - Robert Parker — a year ago

Jake Hajer

9.1

Milk chocolate cereal milk, black raspberry. Intense. Big body. Big acid. — a year ago

Jeff Christner

9.2

Such finesse. Admirably done. — 2 years ago

Brad Jensen

9.3

Medium to heavy bodied, with a dark and rich nose of cracked pepper, fresh leather, and deep violet floral notes, with Surprising amount of tannin in this, grippy ones. This is one of the most a-typical types of Munier I’ve had. Bigger, more structured. It grows on you as you sip along, with a spicy crunch, and notes of underripe plum, hints of fig and black olive, but a present freshness towards the end, with hints of rhubarb. — 3 years ago

Daniel Ayers

9.0

Solid every day — 4 years ago

Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured after the Gonet-Medeville BdN 1er. This is also mostly Pinot Noir however with 20% Chardonnay. Comparatively, this pours a more pale color, again with a persistent mousse. Aromas of white flowers (specifically citrus blossom), white peach, and ever so lightly toasted brioche. On the palate, white peach, pink lady apple, lemon and minerals. Good acid. Long finish. Lovely texture. This came across as a noticeably more rich, refined, and elegant Champagne and it made a beautiful pairing with my selection of Mussels Dijonnaise. Disgorged August 21, 2018
— 5 years ago

Eric Thomas

9.0

Birthday gift from Austin 2025 in Austin to visit wedding venue — 8 months ago

SuzyQ

9.5

very good — 9 months ago

with Bad

Jeff Christner

9.4

Outstanding! Lively finish. Well balanced. 12% — a year ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.3

A tribute to the crest called Rattlesnake Hill, highest point of Monte Rosso Vineyard, famous for rattlesnakes living among the vines, seeking sunshine by day and coiling around the vines at night. Dark Ruby with aromas of berry fruits, tangy herb, pepper and sweet spice. On the palate flavors of blackberry and ripe cherry with black pepper spice, vanilla and earthy sweet herbs. Soft chewy tannins, medium+ finish ending with fruit, spice and earthy oak. Nice! — 2 years ago

"Odedi"

9.3

Drank from a magnum.

Delicious after 2 hours of airtime.

93 points — 3 years ago

Adam Kincaid

9.2

Delicious and gorgeous. Very pale yellow. Originally smells of toasted coconut and honeysuckle but morphs into a lightly buttered and salted popcorn. Tropical flavors with a briney edge. Bone dry, almost puckering. Very happy with this. — 4 years ago

with Jillian

Gene Buonviri

8.9

Cannonau di Sardegna wines have been linked to heart health and have attracted attention for their association with longevity.
Cannonau grapes are thought to have originated on Sardinia and are the orgin of Grenache grapes. Taste the sunshine of Sardinia, red berries light finish of tannins and granite. Drink and repeat. — 6 years ago

Mark Howard

9.3

Aromas of dark black fruits - blackberry, plum, blueberry. Bold and big, with soft integrated tannins that draw you into the inner sanctum of the grape varietal. A tinge of age at the ends, but not in the fore front. Nice lovely finish lasting over 30 seconds before it breaks down. Definitely at its peak of performance. Paired well with the bolognese. Even better with the veal chop with figs, pluots, and watermelon radish. As Elizabeth says, this is a gorgeous wine. “It’s a grown up, but not old”. Or as I like to say, like a 40 year old classy lady wearing an evening gown and pearls - just stunning! — 6 years ago

with Elizabeth