Brian Hearty

9.2

2020. I did something I don’t normally do and Googled potential wine pairings for a dish of Pumpkin Tagliatelle with Kale, Autumn Frost Squash, and Lamb Meatballs garnished with Crispy Sage and Brown Butter. AI recommended wines included low tannin/high acid reds, rich Rhône whites, and orange wines. This skin ferment Roussanne paired great! Glad to be getting something beneficial from all of the data centers around here… — 6 days ago

Brian S

9.4

Very well aged Napa Cabernet. — 2 months ago

Austin Blackwell

9.3

Very smooth. Not as big of a Pinot as I would have thought. — 2 months ago

with Angelina

Bryant Holmstrom

9.1

Great siping through an authentic Italian meal — 2 months 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 — 3 months ago

with Bex and Major-General

Rob Brobst III

9.3

Same wine of very high quality! — 4 months ago

Paul J

9.3

Only had a few sips. I’m not a big Pinot guy but this was solid. — 7 months ago

with Brooke

Conrad Green

9.6

From mag. Lucid and limpid. Delicate lime, oyster shells, wet stone, orchard fruit. Gorgeous and balanced. Amazing — 10 hours ago

with Bex and Naoko

Conrad Green

9.5

From mag. Very fine and detailed. Chalk and lemon and soft notes of wet stone. A bit of peach at the edges and a soft salinity. Great balance and sophistication. Very long. — 21 days ago

with Bex and David

Stephen Fitzpatrick

9.0

2023 vintage. Mineral and floral aroma on the nose, crisp citrus (apricot and pear) on the palate with a subtle oak and yeast flavor. Light yellow in color, not as golden as some Napa Chardonnays. Decent finish with medium acidity. Great find for under $40. — 2 months ago

Stephen Osgood

9.0

delicious biodynamic Sta Rita pinot. tons of salinity and characteristic terroir. — 2 months ago

KA

9.3

Brentwood LA — 3 months ago

JKT

9.1

Very nicely aged Cali Chard that balances new world fruit with old world leanness — 5 months ago

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. — 6 months ago

Conrad Green

9.5

Beautifully poised and calm. Sea shells and a hint of apple. Fleshy supple fruit. Some red Pinot notes. Excellent — 21 days ago

with Bex and David

Conrad Green

9.5

Apricot in color. Soft peach and obeyed notes. On the palate delicate orchard fruit, dried fruit, wet stone, soft fizz, a hit of salinity in the finish. Poised and delicious — 8 days ago

with Bex

Ray Vanderhoff

9.3

Dark garnet color with a ruby core. Aromas of dark berry fruit, forest floor, lavender and smokey vanilla. Flavors of black cherry, blueberry and blackberry fruit with additional flavors of black licorice, baking spices, savory herbs and roasted nuts. That smokey/oaky vanilla flavor extends to the long and silky finish. More weight, heft, power and concentration than your typical Pinot Noir. The bright acidity balances this wine beautifully. Outstanding! Thanks to Kase and Petey for bringing this wine on our 2026 Cape May, NJ vacation. — 2 months ago

Austin Blackwell

9.3

Perfect time to drink. — 3 months ago

with Angelina

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 months ago

Conrad Green

9.7

Spectacular. Fresh with lime, wet stone, incredible poise and delicacy. Just gorgeous — 6 months ago

with Walker and David