Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

Outrageous nose of pulverized rock, quarry dust, clear rock candy, cotton candy, chlorophyll and sweet greens. Almost no conventional fruit, just a blizzard of minerality. The palate is unbelievably juicy, refined and pure, with immense concentration, density and a wall of flavor that somehow remains weightless. Stunning sapidity, endless mineral persistence and a long, echoing finish. Genius wine, and it is only going to get better. — 12 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.2

This had notes of dark berry fruits, earth, spice & mineral. — a month ago

Lyle Fass

Founder Fass Selections

9.6

Nose is stunning, baby Chassagne 1er Cru all the way: green apple skin, green apple flesh, white flowers, lime zest, lime flesh, and that clean Burgundian mineral snap. Palate is unreal: concentrated, savory, juicy, nimble, elegant, pure, bright, and mouthwatering. A little savory pull on the finish, with terrific length and energy. This is Chassagne Premier Cru quality, and I will die on that hill. After a few hours the finesse is off the charts. Stunning wine. 9.5 to 9.6. — 3 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

Just a great Bourgogne Blanc & one of my favs from a vineyard site with 40- 60 yr old vines. Notes of lemon, green apple, pear, stony mineral, white flower & racy acids. Quickly drained! — 3 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.5

Medium lemon straw , some fine lightly persistent perlage . Quite steely and minerally on the nose , some lemon pith , orange rind , white flowers , buttered brioche . Quite classic and lean in style. This has drive and persistence on the palate , electric acidity , with intense mineral , lemon rind , chalky depth . Still pretty young , taught , with good freshness and long length . With time drinking well but will improve over at least the next 5 years and last well a further 5 - 10 — 3 months ago

Erik Longabardi

9.6

Classic hit — 6 months ago

Damian

9.4

Fresh but with some unexpected oxidative notes. Citrus, toast, white flowers, white pepper, stone fruit, precise and mineral driven — 7 months ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Clean and fresh and mineral. Hints of pears and soft citrus. Long — a month ago

with Gregg

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. — 4 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This is showing well with lots of dark cherry, berry fruit, spice, mineral & floral. — 3 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

Medium deep ruby garnet , with quite wide garnet rim . Slightly smoky , earthy nose , mint , some spicy cigar , red currant , raspberry , dried cherry . On the palate this is quite lean in style , with fresh acidity , cherry , raspberry , red currant , some smoky blackberry , tobacco , cigar box. Quite good length and fine tannins herbal , mineral tinged finish . This is ready, just at peak still, now and over the next 5-10 years , don’t think this will improve much from here , but is still showing very well — 4 months ago

Jason Keefer

9.3

Beautifully pink! Strawberry pastries with vanilla! Bubbles so tiny! — 5 months ago

with Natasha

Doug Powers

9.5

Cork broke in half (actually 6-7 pieces), initially some “old cork” flavors show through, yet after 5 minutes in the glass those dissipate and we’re left with a lovely aged Raveneau with mature fruit, some lemon and mineral notes as well, very nice complexity and length, I’ve always been very lucky aging my Raveneau, this is clearly a success (shaky cork notwithstanding)! — 7 months ago

with Jim

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Aromas of citrus fruits, orchard fruit, flint/chalk and white flowers. Flavors of grapefruit, lemon, orange zest, fresh leafy herbs along with a distinct mineral/steely note. Long and very elegant finish. Bold and refreshing acidity. Well balanced, medium-minus body, and totally clean. Bright and electric! So delicious and a total crowd pleaser on a hot summer afternoon. Thanks to Kasey and Petey for opening this winner! — 21 days ago

Ron Siegel

9.3

This was showing well with its red & black fruits, spice, orange peel, earth, mineral & floral notes — a month ago

Ron Siegel

9.4

Dark fruits with notes of meat, graphite, spice, licorice, mineral & violets — 3 months ago

Joel Lara

9.0

This was my first Albariño, and I loved it! Bright, fresh acidity with lemon and pear notes on the palate. The finish has mineral notes coming through as well. Paired nicely with paella. Vintage was 2023. — 3 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.2

2nd wine . Medium garnet ruby, thin garnet rim . Quite serious and mineral , more grafite and , tobacco , seaside scents , spice . Quite cool and elegant in the mouth , sweeter tannin though quite dense still on the palate . Cassis , grafite , cocoa and tobacco finish . Quite rich , good length , spiced finish. This is quite refined and elegant , well balanced freshness , if rounder , more plump than the others (alcohol perhaps ? This is 14,5% but it doesn’t stick out ). Again quite young , needs another 5 years and will last a further 10 or so . Had this down as the Margaux ! — 4 months ago

Ray Vanderhoff

9.0

Another solid vintage of this NZ Sauvy B. Bright golden color with green highlights. Aromas of citrus, fresh herbs/grass and tropical fruit. Flavors of grapefruit, lime,passion fruit with a mix mineral/wet stone based backbone. Distinct saline note on the long and crisp and clean finish. Bright acidity and medium body and alcohol (13.5%). Solid freshness and precision. Enjoyed with Asian food at Youyu in the Hard Rock in Atlantic City. — 4 months ago

Sipping Fine Wine

9.5

45th Anniversary, La Rocca, made from 100% Garganega and aged for 15 months in large French and Slavonian barrels. Bright golden lemon yellow color with aromas of stone and tropical fruits, floral and oak notes, very rich and complex. On the palate flavors of pineapple, peach. melon and lemon zest with nutty vanilla flavors and lively acidity. Smooth and elegant the wine ends with toasty fruit, generous mineral notes and a bit of honey & spice. Nice! — 7 months ago