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! — 16 hours ago
I have enjoyed this producers vineyard over many vintage and this might be the best.
The 22 vintage is stunning and as good as it is, 23 might be better based on a somewhat limited exposure at this point.
The entry is glorious…such balance and wire to wire it doesn’t change much.
Green apple, perfect lemon & lime pulp into subtle candy, grapefruit, white stone fruit, kiwi, tropical melons, pineapple, cream reduction, saline, perfect sea fossils, fine powdery taut chalkiness, crisp volcanics, white spice, grey volcanic minerals, limestone marl, mix of fresh & dry stubble herbs, honeysuckle, light caramel, warm lightly done toast, yellow florals, spring flowers with greens, grand waterfall acidity, beautiful structure-tension, incredible balance with an elegant finish that lasts two-minutes and long sets on volcanic minerals and spice.
Decanted 1 hour.
When I first started buying this bottling, it was $50-$60, now $150. Might be my last bought. My white spend has a more limited range than my red. Don’t think I’m alone.
A property Sofia & I have visited in 2015. — 18 days ago
Pop and pour. A majestic lite gold color. On the nose: crisp apples, lemon, almonds, floral, and honey. Taste: creamy, beautiful texture and nice acidity wine with apple, pear, lemon zest, saline, flint, and a minerally lime peel medium plus finish. YUM! Maturing gracefully and time to go. — a month ago

Medium lemon gold , still some perlage. This is quite evolved on the nose , with candied peel, brioche , roasted nuts , brine and touch of porcini . On the palate this has good intensity , with high acidity . Creamy lemon peel , toasted nuts , brioche, and a mineral backbone . Quite persistent, lemon pith and chalky finish . At peak now and will continue over the next few years , though this won’t improve — a month ago
Lemon yellow with green Chalk. Citrus peach. Mango. Pineapple. Vanilla. Rich. Buttery. Herb. Honeysuckle. From cool. Without MLF Elegant. From Calistoga.
Fruitiness M+ Sweetness M+ Acidity M++ Bitterness M+ Body M Finish M 13.8%
Fresh Dry Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 22 @17600, AD, 251210 — 6 days ago
Very light pale yellow robe, nose of orchards, limestone and a hint of honeysuckle. Very fresh and rich in the mouth, with lemon zests and mineral notes. Very long. A pleasure now, but hold your breath. A great Dom. Impressive how each year they get it right ! — a month ago
Alan Weinberg
Creamy thick lemon fruit with good acidity. — 4 days ago