Jeffrey Howell

9.3

Delicious grenache, cinsault, counoise blend — 21 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

8.9

vintage 2014 | Very pure, citrus, turkish fruit, marzipan. Robust. — 4 months ago

Jonathan Wall

9.2

Rocked the salmon! — 3 years ago

Mark Mannebach

9.3

Crisp bright fruit up front with a long smooth mineral earthy finish — 6 years ago

boyd

9.0

Still had energy and read as Cali PN. Earthy cherry cola. — 6 years ago

Mark Mannebach

9.1

Crisp apple citrus tones. — 8 years ago

Rob S

9.3

Charles and I enjoyed this wine...but we were thinking...where is Lisa??? She would love this Pinot — 9 years ago

Steve Anderson

9.2

My favorite of the day at Landmark. Nicely done. — 9 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. — 2 days ago

MICHAEL COOPER DipWSET

Owner TomeVinos wine shops, WSET Level 3, Blogger www.spanishwinesandmore.com, blog.tomevinos.com

9.3

Fortunate enough to taste this lovely wine 11 years after its vintage and it was singing. #napa #pnv Only 5 cases produced. “This wine showcases our 200 acres of estate vineyards by using a blend of the five classic Bordeaux grapes from five landmark Napa Valley appellations. Deeply fruited and elegantly structured, this wine combines nuance and power for a classic bottling. Our Premiere Napa Valley bottling showcases rich texture and deep complexity. Aromas of ripe blackberry, Bing cherry, clove and star anise leap from the glass and balance a dense palate of black plum, cassis and toasty cocoa with a smooth finish framed by dusty tannins.


Aging Process

20 months in chateau style French Oak Barrels

Wine Facts

pH: 3.7
Wine is unfiltered
Sustainably produced” — 5 years ago

with Ron

Wulf Losee

9.8

This is a sneaky little wine. Mint and leather on the nose, but not in high degree. Dried cherries on the front, but not enough of those flavors to make it fruit forward. A light to medium tannic structure that is neither puckery nor velvety. Ending with lingering soft high notes. At first I wasn’t really paying attention to its unpretentiousness, but then I realized that every landmark in my mouth was pleased and smiling. It’s like one of those subtle Grand Cru Bordeauxs that, once every decade or so, give us something brilliant and memorable. Well, after that spiel, I should probably give it a 10.0, but I’ve never tasted a 10.0 — so I’m giving it a 9.8. I can’t think that I’ve given anything more than 9.6. So take it from me that this is a pretty fooking great wine! — 7 years ago

Jason McLaren

9.3

Solid full bodied Pinot — 8 years ago

Colin Nuckolls

9.2

A landmark for US chard. Great balance, precision and pure butter — 9 years ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.5

An absolutely incredible single vineyard Brunello from a landmark vintage. Dark ruby color with a slight brick rim. Aromas of forest floor, bramble fruit, tar and dried herbs. Flavors of black cherry, tobacco, black licorice and coffee. Long and luxurious finish and just enough velvety tannin to enhance and lengthen the experience. Medium-plus body and perfectly balanced acidity. Powerful, yet beautifully well structured. Still incredibly vibrant. Sangiovese at its finest! This wine has a personality all its own. Thanking Petey for making this incredible selection. Happy Birthday, Kase! — 3 months ago

Joan Mutschelknaus

9.0

Nice, “drinkable,” pleasant & mild. — 7 months ago

Brianna Middlewood

10

Light, no oak - delicious — 4 years ago

Austin Blackwell

9.3

Delicious layers of black Cherry and spice with subtle mushroom aromas. Slightly sweet on the palate but the medium tannins balance it well. Drinking well now. — 6 years ago

with Angelina

Mark Mannebach

9.0

Well balanced with honey apricot and mineral tones. — 8 years ago

Greg Koslosky

9.3

Magnum impressive example for this old landmark vineyard . — 8 years ago

Kenneth Doll

9.3

Soft opening with a slight bite at the end. Might have been overpowered by the home made lasagna, but still good. — 9 years ago

with Tracy