JKT

9.1

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

Ming L

9.4

The nose bursts with ripe yellow peach, mandarin, and dried pineapple, layered with brioche and a hint of white flowers. The palate is plush yet electric, with creamy texture quickly cut by vibrant lemon zest and a light salinity. The finish is precise and long. — a month ago

Lisa T Kanen

9.4

Crisp, peach and pineapple with a creamy finish. — 2 months ago

with Connor

KRISTIE

8.9

Our distinctive white blend marries the crisp honeyed citrus fruit of Chenin Blanc (80%) with the plush body, soft floral and juicy peach notes of Voignier (20%) for a lush, versatile and delicious wine. — 3 months ago

Ming L

9.3

Aromas of ripe apricot, honeyed peach, and white flowers are layered with subtle hints of hazelnut, spice, and subtle tropical fruits. The palate is lush and rich yet never feels weighty, and offering stone fruit, candied citrus, and a touch of minerality. The long, harmonious finish leaves notes of almond and soft honeysuckles lingering delicately. A mature, refined Condrieu at its expressive peak. — 4 months ago

Andrew Cullimore

9.3

Medium straw lemon colour . This is quite rich on the nose with lemon pith , touch of smoke , ginger and creamy , honeysuckle notes . On the palate this shows more yellow fruits, peach , apricot and lemon , good acidity and balance. Quite intense and long with chalky touches. Drinking well now but still quite fruit dominated. A really good bottle , completely another experience than the overly advanced bottle last year , this one showing youth and freshness , ripeness and intensity . Lovely now but will continue and probably improve over the next 5-10 years . — 4 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

Ray Vanderhoff

9.2

Light golden color. Aromas of unripe stone fruit, dried flowers, wet slate and lemon zest. Flavors of peaches, nectarines, lemon and minerals. Long, mouth coating and tingling finish. The moderate amount of residual sugar is more than balanced by the bold and abundant acidity. Light bodied, crisp and refreshing. Wonderful precision and quality. Great pairing with our Christmas ham. — 7 months 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. — 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

Joel Lara

9.1

This is dangerously good. The peach and pear flavors are vibrant and just mesmerizing, and it has a nice minerality and good acidity that help balance the flavors out. If you don’t watch yourself, this bottle will be empty in a flash. This is just what I needed to remind me that summer is around the corner, and soon this New England winter will be a distant memory. — 4 months 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. — 6 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.4

My last bottle of 2013 Art Series Chardonnay. This remains one of the top Chardonnays in Australia together with Giaconda and Bindi Quartz Block for mine. As per previous note aromatics of white peach and cashew together with mealy notes. Not as full bodied as other Art Series but certainly doing well at 13 years of age. I often identify a dried pear character and this has hints of that. 98 points from James Halliday. — a month ago

Conrad Green

9.2

Cool and focused. Peach and citrus with strong minerality and precision. Calm and excellent — 2 months ago

with Paul and Ara

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

9.2

Golden in color. Soft with apricot and peach. Unlike most Rav this is like aged spatlese. Delicate with tea etc. Pretty — 3 months ago

with Walker and David

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; enjoyed over the course of an hour. The 2006 Comtes de Champagne pours a straw color with a persistent mousse. On the nose, the wine is developing with notes of white peach, lemon curd, white flowers, lightly toasted brioche with chalk and limestone minerals. On the palate, the wine is dry with medium+ acid. Confirming the notes from the nose. The finish is long and creamy. This is delicious and fabulously balanced CdC. Drink now through 2036. — 4 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

10

Elegance in a bottle. Bright, pale straw color, with big bubbles. Nutty, ripe peach, lemon and chalk aromas. Grapefruit, lemon and a mineral finish. Superb!

🏅96 Points - Wine Spectator — 5 months ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.2

Pale salmon color, small, delicate bubbles. Aromas of strawberries, lemon zest and grapefruit. What a solid NV champagne, red berry flavors, lemon and stone fruit on the palate.

🍇45% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir and 20% Pinot Meunier.

🏅96 Points- Wilfred Wong
🏅93 Points - James Suckling
🏅92 Points - Robert Parker — 6 months ago

with Chad