Brian S

9.4

Very well aged Napa Cabernet. — 15 days ago

Conrad Green

9.5

A vivacious thrilling nose. Bright lime and matchstick flint. Crisp and clear and intense. Really defined and clear. Light and tense. Excellent — 2 months ago

with Bex

Pat Mead

9.2

2024 Vintage is such a great wine! Notes of grapefruit, lime and citrus served chilled on a hot summer evening! Higher priced for weekday wine, but great for a celebration! — 2 months ago

JKT

9.1

Very nicely aged Cali Chard that balances new world fruit with old world leanness — 4 months ago

Conrad Green

9.5

Still fresh but definitely lots of secondary notes. Pear and wet stone and a light sweetness and salinity. Good tension. Excellent — 4 months ago

with Ara and Paul

Conrad Green

9.7

Spectacular. Fresh with lime, wet stone, incredible poise and delicacy. Just gorgeous — 5 months ago

with Walker and David

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Light golden color. Aromas of unripe stone fruit, dried flowers, wet slate and lemon zest. Flavors of peaches, nectarines, lemon and minerals. Long, mouth coating and tingling finish. The moderate amount of residual sugar is more than balanced by the bold and abundant acidity. Light bodied, crisp and refreshing. Wonderful precision and quality. Great pairing with our Christmas ham. — 9 months ago

Carlos Burger

9.3

This is ripping. white fleshed melon, finger lime, lemon basil. Big acid but very balanced with a featherweight sweetness, multidimensional in a way the barrel x isn’t. Grapefruit and pomelo. Mexican oregano. Tension in the acid almost feels like the beginning of carbonation. Just goes and goes. Wow. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.7

Fresh and pristine even at 10 years of age. Arguably Australia’s best Riesling - certainly in the top 3. Aromatics of lime juice with a tiny hint of TDN (paraffin in this case) and a hint of honey. Overall ultra pure with M+ intensity and a touch of peach on the palate. This could be confidentally cellared for another 5 years for added complexity. Dry Riesling doesn’t get much better than this. — 5 days ago

Jay Kline

9.7

Opened about 30min prior to service. The 2017 Clos Ste. Hune pours a pale straw color with medium viscosity. On the nose, the wine is developing wjth beguiling notes of the perfectly ripe Comice pear, a mix of stone and tropical fruits, lemon blossom, a touch of petrol and minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with high acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish lasts forever. This is unbelievably balanced and a fantastic pairing with the toro crudo. This is just at the beginning of what’s sure to be a very long drinking window. Enjoy now through 2057. — 2 months ago

Conrad Green

9.5

Soft lemon and lime with a slate minerality on the nose. Beautiful intensity and focus on the palate. Salinity and a touch of sweetness — 3 months ago

with Bex

Brian Hearty

9.6

2014. Enjoyed a small splash at the end of a great birthday meal at The Oven!
Such pure stone fruit and honeyed aromas and flavors with balanced sweetness and acidity. — 5 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.1

Founded in 1982 by Koerner and Joan Rombauer and sits on a tree covered knoll overlooking the Napa Valley, with caves that extend for over a mile. Pale lemon color with aromas of stone and tropical fruit, sweet oak, spice and floral scents. On the palate flavors of ripe peach, melon and apple, with vanilla spice, creamy texture. Medium+ finish, well balanced with acidity, ending with mineral notes. — 8 months ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

Just phenomenal. And I am a Graach guy at Prum. More never and energy than WS. Nose is so ethereal. Lime zest, first of season green apple skins, slate, apricot, phyllo dough. So expressive. Some sweet rubber as well. Like brand new rubber boots. Palate is so elegant and concentrated but light yet almost middle weight and weightless. Huge fruit soak. Such purity. Perfect for a mid summer Tuesday night. — 2 years ago

Conrad Green

9.6

Gorgeous limpid soft lime and wet stone with some hints of peach and a subtle rounded mindshare. Complex, light deft and delicious this us in a perfect place right now — 2 months ago

with Bex and Major-General

Elmars

9.3

Great wine, probably past its prime time, but still aromatic, well balanced with lime notes. — 2 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

So good! Showing notes of lemon, citrus, wet stone, mineral, flint & racy acids — 2 months 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 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

Just really starting to hit its perfect drink window. Really excellent Blanc de Blanc. Green apple, lime pulp with zest, amazing freshness & acidity. — 6 months ago

Douglas Braun

9.2

2015 -Vintage- Meyer lemon, lime zest, Stoney, oily texture, custard medium plus acidity — 10 months ago

with Mark