Color me shocked at how good this was. I’m a big fan of Antica Terra wines, and while I’m always impressed, my expectations for this 10yr old OR Chardonnay were vastly blown out of the water.
The main reason I opened this bottle is I thought the age would have been more evident, and it would be channeling a more rich, slightly oxidized type profile, and would go with an assortment of blue cheese I was sampling at a small local event. Upon opening, color is still gorgeously yellow gold. First impression was it came across thin yet still had really vibrant acidity…very steely and mineral driven. About an hour later, this absolutely exploded out of the glass as of it was a different wine. Pear, grilled lemon and lots of honeysuckle aromatics. It bulked up on the palate with supreme texture and balance showing a kiss of oak. Creamy yet weightless. Lemon confit, honeyed golden delicious apple, sea spray, and a rounded finish with plenty of baking spices yet the core of minerality was still there. This left me scratching my head in a good way…I seriously need to find another. This is the best OR Chardonnay I’ve ever had. — 3 years ago
Spectacular. Earthy. The nose gives it all away - deep dark and mysterious, aged balsamic with dominant high end bordeaux notes. Perfect balance: sweet opulent fruit shrouded in regal tannins, with black pepper, loads of funk, and plums. Still lots of life. Close to perfect wine with red meat. On MD celeb night at DB bistro. — 4 years ago
The 2019 Montrose is very clearly one of the wines of the vintage. Rich, inky and towering in concentration, the 2019 possesses off the charts intensity and tons of structure to back it up. Succulent black cherry, plum, tobacco, gravel and licorice infuse the 2019 with striking depth. The 2019 is not quite as opulent as some recent vintages, and that's a good thing. Readers will find a regal wine that marries elegance with power. Unforgettable. Tasted two times. (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, February 2022)
— 3 years ago
The 2018 Domaine de Chevalier is easily one of the wines of the vintage. A wine of mind-blowing precision and regal elegance, Domaine de Chevalier dazzles from the very first taste. Dried herbs, rose petal, mint, blood orange, pomegranate and bright mineral notes all build in the glass. Richly layered but also translucent, the 2018 is a real head-turner. Don't miss it! (Antonio Galloni, Vinous, March 2021)
— 4 years ago
Petaluma Tiers - In my mind, a first-growth chard from down under.
I spat my pacifier out when the cork disintegrated, but I need not have been concerned.
The visual presentation is stunning - look at that golden color in the glass. The nose displays roasted almonds, nutmeg, toasted bread and white fruits.
Palate is regal, revealing poise, layers and complexity. The mouthfeel is dense, while notes of nuts, exotic fruits and oak are layered. The acidity provides a frame for the overall structure. The almost undetectable oxidation is to be expected, but that just adds to what is a stunning example.
@Bob McDonald, any backstories to share?
Pairing this with filet and porcini mushrooms (which I have never cooked) 😱 — 5 years ago
Mostly scarlet in color, translucent and regal. Deep nose. Notes of black cherry, blueberries, dried cranberries, some cool slate stone and some pepper. Rich and long in the mouth. Tannins fully resolved and integrated. Really nice for the vintage. In a great drinking window. — 3 years ago
And now for something completely different. Tasted blind. Deep, dark and opaque. Herbal nose. Red fruit, tobacco leaf, menthol, some old cedar planks, some stone and some moist dark soil. Luscious in the mouth. Long finish, lingers forever. In a perfect spot. I guessed 61 Mouton. So regal, with big shoulders. Bottles like this have many more years of special delivery. Top top old Bordeaux... Thanks Stan! — 4 years ago
Stylistically so different from the 18. On the nose: lovely lime and lemon oil, loads of slate and crushed rock, amazing intensity, which is all similar to18, but on the palate, this couldn't be more different. This has a regal richness: almost oily and dense up front, in contrast to the very linear 18...then the acidity kicks in to round this out....the mouth waters, filling with lime, soft smoky notes and wet stone. Excellent, not sure which of the 18 and 19 I prefer now. — 4 years ago
Austin Hohnke
Outstanding! Drinking extremely well right now. Great complexity, texture, and length. An incredibly regal wine from every angle.
Thanks for sharing, Vince! — 6 months ago