JKT

9.1

Very nicely aged Cali Chard that balances new world fruit with old world leanness — 2 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.6

Medium straw color. Aromas of pineapple, stone fruit, fig and lemon. Small delicate bubbles, with flavors of tropical fruits and biscut.

🏅97 Points - James Suckling
🏅95 Points - Wine Enthusiast — a month 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. — 2 months ago

Conrad Green

9.7

Oy vey. This is gorgeous. Soft edges and intense but blanched fruit. Cool wet stone, delicate citrus, an oily complex note. Spectacular but quiet — 5 months ago

with Bex

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.2

This is being served colder than I would like and that said, the nose is not all that expressive. There is green apple, stone fruits, Meyer lemon to notes of lemon pledge, lime pulp, ripe, juicy pineapple, limestone marl, notes of marmalade, honeysuckle, light butterscotch, yellow lilies/flowers, white flowers.

The palate has a clean, round smooth entry. It is good but it tastes restrained to me. Maybe, the cool temp. Green apple, stone fruits-apricots, yellow peach/nectarine, Meyer lemon to a touch of lemon pledge, lime pulp, ripe, juicy pineapple, kiwi, green melon, notes of marmalade, honeysuckle, more pronounced butterscotch, caramel as it warms up, vanillin, gentle chalky powder, limestone marl, grey volcanic minerals, white spice, herbaceous hues, yellow lilies/flowers, white flowers with greens, nice round acidity, the finish is well balanced, round & elegant, a bit viscous and lasts about a minute.

I’ve had a number of producers from CC. I have had multiple vintages of LL’s CC and it simply doesn’t deliver like some of the other producers I’ve had that make white from CC. For me, it’s a nice wine but has often underwhelmed given the terroir.

I have had good vintages of white Bourgogne’s that show this nicely and better.

@EK225 — 9 months ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Beautiful and precise. Stone and orchard fruit. A pinch of salinity. very pure and delicate. — 10 months ago

with Matt and Paul

Brandon Beldengreen-Karas

9.2

Shout out to Julia and Tiffany’s for the stemware! Bursting with apples and stone fruit. Biscuit dough and preserved lemon add complexity. Worthy for a celebration, and if a celebration in itself. — 4 years ago

Pierre-Alain Chenour

8.9

Interesting Sauvignon blanc. Smell of passion fruit. Mid dry-sweet surprisingly — 22 days 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 hours 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. — 5 months ago

leon egozi

9.3

NY wine spectator event — 9 months ago

Conrad Green

9.6

Gorgeous. Soft lemon, corn, fresh wet stone, great sizzling acidity. Perfect balance- great length. Perfect time to drink now for my palate. — 9 months ago

with Bex, Walker and 1 other

Gilbert Van Hassel

9.3

Typical Raveneau, oyster shells, white stone fruit, medium body. — 4 years ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

This bottling showed up at my Costco for $26.99. On experience, I thought it must be a pretty good burgundy value. Louis Latour a pretty good grower, producer & Negociant. So, I bought one. I was going to do a Premier Cru Chablis, but thought I’d try this tonight. 2023 also an amazing white burgundy vintage. And of course, to see if I wanted a few more.

This nose shows; sour green apple, golden apple, kiwi, lime, lemon, pineapple, white stone fruit, light orange citrus blend, honeysuckle, some dry herbs, vanilla, cream, caramel, dry twig/tree bark, beautiful chalkiness, limestone & volcanic powder, white & yellow lilies w/ greens.

The palate is round, viscous and waxy. Green apple, golden apple, kiwi, lime, lemon, pineapple, apricots, white stone fruit, light orange citrus blend, honeysuckle-comb, some dry herbs, vanilla, cream, caramel, butterscotch, touch of mint, graham crackers, dry twig/tree bark, beautiful chalkiness, dry limestone & volcanic powder, gentle white spice, white & yellow lilies w/ greens, grand, round, rainfall acidity, well knitted, balance for days with an elegantly, smartly polished finish that lasts nearly two-minutes.

91-92.

I believe the key to enjoying white burgundy is to let it warm to 55-61, not 46-48. Leave warmer climate, well wooded Chardonnay to the well chilled. Or, not well made Chardonnay…it cover up its flaws. Warmer temps bring out the flavor & beauty of good Chardonnay. — 5 days 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 — 2 months ago

with Ara and Paul

Conrad Green

9.7

Spectacular. Fresh with lime, wet stone, incredible poise and delicacy. Just gorgeous — 3 months ago

with Walker and David

Doug Powers

8.9

Lovely blackberry aromas and flavors up front, nice depth and balance, good acidity, medium-long finish, solid Heathcote Shiraz, lingering finish, very good!! — 8 months ago

with Jim

Sipping Fine Wine

9.0

A wine from Jorge Ordóñez and his winemaking team. Pale lemon color with crisp stone fruit and citrus aromas. On the palate flavors of apple, pear and melon with lemon citrus, consistent offering from La Cana. Medium finish ending with fruit, spice and mineral tang. Nice value. — 10 months ago

Megan Donnamiller

9.2

With Christina and Tigh outside at our house — 4 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.3

Aging Perfectly. Could use another 5 yr. coconut, blackberry, smooth tannins. — 4 years ago