Jay Kline

9.2

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of three days. Consistent throughout. The 2021 “Grange le Duc” pours a garnet color with a transparent core; medium viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with gorgeous notes of ripe strawberry, Montmorency cherry, salmiakki, freshly ground black pepper, dried green herbs, salt water taffy, and sous bois. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose, the finish is medium+. This is a classic, rustic expression of Burgundy that simply blows my mind. The nose alone, slays. Drink now through 2031. — 17 days ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.3

vintage 2023 | What a joy! Juiciness and rondeur. Put the Guigal in the shadow. Must search for this wine. — 2 months ago

Jay Kline

9.0

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of a couple hours. The 2020 “Aux Lieux-Dits” pours a deep garnet with an opaque core; medium+ viscosity with light staining of the tears. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of fresh, ripe brambles, garrigue, red flowers, and inorganic earth. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ tannin and medium acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is medium. There is a solid sense of place from this expression. Drink now through 2035. — 5 months ago

Jack Petras

8.9

This 2023 is an affordable “ Brother” of the northern Rhône. All about light bodied freshness and nuance, hints at it s big brothers in Crozes Hermitage. Will be a delightful picnic wine as the warmer weather arrives. Under $20 a bottle. — a year ago

Ron Siegel

9.5

Another great one from the master. This was the wine that got me to seek out every btl I could find of this producer after tasting the 00 Reynard at Willys Wine Bar in Paris. I am always amazed at the finesse, balance & complexity of Allemand. This was another great vintage that is still youthful & for me in a perfect spot that should age for many years. — 5 years ago

Freek Welter

9.0

Cellarfind.....surprisingly fresh and a point! — 6 years 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. — 10 hours ago

Michael Phillips

9.0

Not only was this wine excellent the night it was opened (after 10 yrs in my cellar)but it was still splendid on the second night.1 — 2 months ago

Brad Jensen

9.4

Musk, Holly berries and bramble, pine needles, iron, velvet, driftwood, hints of coffee and bold red meat. There’s berries in there, red, lush, ripe and dark, but it’s so well integrated into the perfume (and it is perfume) that it’s impossible to separate them. Like a thin spread of preserves and dank basement. Palate has that lean nature of Syrah, between medium and light bodied, tannins present, but molded well into the palate, not ostentatious. Lush, silky dark red and black fruits roll forth, along with some charcoal, graphite, blood, and iron. — 5 months ago

with Tiva

Michael Phillips

9.5

Lovely balanced mature grenache . Hint of cherries and dark fruit. — a year ago

Colin Cahoon

8.9

Barnyard funk, ripe red fruit, cinnamon, oak, cloves, and cola. Medium tannins, high alcohol, high acid, and medium finish. Big and hot. — 4 years ago

Peter C

9.0

Oddly this tastes ripe. Different from other bottles. — 6 years ago

Richard Adams

9.4

10 year old burg and going strong. Layered richness. Lemon rind, butterscotch, slight oak. — a month ago

Chris MacLean

9.2

Easy Vacqueras? Where have you been all my wine life? — 2 months ago

with Sarah

Pierre-nicolas Chabanel

8.9

Vintage 2024 — 2 months ago

Ryan Douglas Wells

9.0

Almost effervescent with acidity, bright, with tart cherries, the funk and slight brine of olives, and a pleasant mid-mouth weight. — 4 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.3

A killer Cornas. Needs a lot more time. — 7 months ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.3

Fresh & bright.
Grenache red fruit glory with raspberries, some dusty undergrowth, a bit of renclode plum, lebenden, rosemary, baked hot earth. Fresh & aromatic.
Poised, balanced, fresh & juicy. So drinkable. Juicy tannins, bright acidity, juicy, crunchy red fruit. But also depth, character, flow.
A brilliant wine, great value for money, too! — 3 years ago

Julia K

10

This was a hundo p for me! — 5 years ago

Katie Hubbard

9.3

Real nice wine — 6 years ago

with Darron