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 hours ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.4

Winderlea Vineyard & Winery – Chardonnay 2018
Willamette Valley, Oregon – USA 🇺🇸

Overview
This isn’t just any Willamette Chardonnay — it’s a benchmark. Crafted from a mosaic of top vineyards: Carabella (35%) in Chehalem Mountains, Hyland (33%) & Meredith Mitchell (23%) in McMinnville, and Winderlea Estate (9%) in Dundee Hills. Together, they deliver harmony and terroir depth that rivals fine Burgundy, while staying true to Oregon character.

Aromas & Flavors
Rich layers of peach, apricot, and crisp apple glide seamlessly into notes of citrus zest and a subtle kiss of toasted oak. The aromatic lift is both elegant and generous, hinting at orchard blossoms with a faint mineral streak.

Mouthfeel
Succulent and textured, yet framed with precision. Bright acidity keeps it vibrant, while a creamy mid-palate offers weight and length. Still radiant in 2018, showing both freshness and polish.

Winemaking Notes
Fermented and aged in French oak barrels with a Burgundian sensibility, highlighting texture over heaviness. A balance of fruit purity and oak finesse.

Food Pairing
Perfect with butter-poached lobster, seared scallops, roast chicken with herbs, or creamy risotto with chanterelles. Its lively acidity also makes it a stellar partner for soft cheeses.

Verdict
A standout Chardonnay from Oregon, balancing Burgundian elegance with Willamette soul. Priced above regional peers, but every sip justifies it. Truly one of the finest examples of Oregon Chardonnay in recent years. Cheers! — a year ago

leon egozi

9.3

The 305 wine group weekend in Key West- great times — 4 years ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.2

Vibrating electric citrus pumping goodness..Key Lime, Meyer Lemon, yuzu zest with amazing lightness on the palate. One bottle is never enough for two. And with Tegan’s friendly pricing you can afford that second or even third bottle. — 4 years ago

Anjanette Pelletier

9.2

Lovely and crisp. Fruity and slightly sweet. Great with lobster and corn. Beautiful color. — 6 years ago

with Myke

Kris Kow

9.6

Semi dry, full body, low acidity, nice finish on the palette, faint hint of fruit, especially grape. Pairs well with a summer steak salad. Light citrus. — 2 months ago

with Scott

Freddy R. Troya

9.7

Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2023 – Pessac-Léognan, Grand Cru Classé de Graves. BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A masterclass in precision and balance, delivering crystalline clarity and architectural tension from a Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon blend. Layered citrus, stone fruit, and mineral tones unfold with seamless flow, showing absolute control from entry through the finish. Everything feels calibrated, pure, and intentional, a wine that operates at peak efficiency without excess weight or distraction.

Aromas & Flavors
Lime zest, white grapefruit, green pear, white peach, crushed chalk, wet stone, subtle white flowers, faint almond cream and whispering oak spice.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied yet remarkably concentrated, laser-focused acidity, perfectly knit texture, seamless mid-palate density, and a long, ultra-clean, high-definition finish that snaps into perfect alignment.

Food Pairings
Oysters with mignonette, scallop crudo, sushi and sashimi, turbot with beurre blanc, citrus-poached lobster, delicate herb-driven dishes.

Verdict
An elite reference-point white Bordeaux showcasing extraordinary precision, balance, and purity. The finish alone separates this from the pack, energetic, exact, and endlessly refined. A benchmark wine for understanding modern Pessac Blanc at its highest level.

🍷 Personal Pick
This is the kind of wine that makes you stop mid-sip and recalibrate your internal benchmark. Effortless power, surgical accuracy, and zero wasted movement l, pure elegance at full throttle. The Max Verstappen of whites: dominant, composed, and ruthlessly precise. — 6 months ago

Timothy Lynch

9.3

Paired with New England lobster rolls and French fries. Oh, so good! — 2 years ago

Chad Henderson

9.0

Nose is wood, leather and hint of stone fruit. Taste is pepper, leather and oak. Not picking up much fruit maybe black cherries. Finish is dry oak. This one has been in the wine fridge for probably 4 years. — 4 years ago

with Kristen

Nicole Ruiz Hudson

8.9

Fun, spritzy, refreshing .
Nose: lime skin, grapefruit, fresh white flowers and stones.
Palate: similar with green pear, white peach, key lime, and spritzy lift. — 5 years ago

Chris Gillis

9.0

Easy drinking white — 6 years ago

Willie Carter

8.9

A lovely Champagne that never tries to get beyond itself. Persistent small bubbles that never seem to stop with a fine mousse. Fresh brioche, apricots, and tart apples comprise the nose. Consistency is key here. This little sparkler is so solid and sturdy. Beautifully balanced, delivers at a high level that’s easily comparable to other big Champagne houses. Predominantly Chardonnay, there is a freshness and effervescence to these bubbles. Very bright and lively on the tongue, this is clearly a step above similar bottlings. Toasted almonds and toasted bread lead on the palate with vanilla and green apples bring up the rear. Such a solid, terrific Champagne, this should be your house bubbles. — 6 years ago

Tegan Marriott

8.9

Uchi sushi in Austin TX! Enjoyed the pairings from the dayboat scallop starter,lobster coconut curry negi dare, cashew,bluefin,unagi,& even went with our seasonal sundae! — 4 months ago

Billy L.

9.4

Christmas Dinner Champagne pairing with Maine Lobster 🦞 Tail. 🍾🥂👍🏻👏🏻 — 7 months ago

Phuc-Tue Le Dinh

9.0

Perfect complement to lobster pasta — a year ago

Peter Coulthard

9.1

Smoking Lobster. Enjoyable with fish. — a year ago

Stephen Redenbaugh

9.4

Light liquid yellow in the glass… explosive first sip. Acid, weight, bright lemon zest, brioche, tart key lime. Long, chewy, stemmy finish lasts at least 30 seconds. Wonderful mid-summer food wine that grows in gravitas and grip as it warms…nice foil to roast Alaskan halibut with heirloom tomato/ricotta topper. Not your average simple Italian white. — 3 years ago

larry osborne

9.0

Very good wine which our waiter who remembered us from a month ago recommend. Perfect with lobster.
Food day at North End ..Paul Reviers house..Prudential And Bel in Hand — 5 years ago

Ming L

9.0

Peach, key lime pie, Fuji apple, and brioche on the clean crisp nose. Fine creamy mousses lead to a supple and elegant palate. Fresh acidity and hint of chalky minerals.
For about the same price, I prefer Charles Heidseick NV bottling for its complexity and intensity. — 6 years ago

Aaron Hamrock

9.3

Lovely Bordeaux blend at Martins in key west — 7 years ago