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 months ago

Gabriel Hayes

10

Tanglewood — 2 months ago

with Patricia and Rachel

Mary H

9.2

Few bubbles in the glass. Bruised golden apple, golden pear, slightly reductive / sherry-like. Reminded me a lot of the Peter Lauer 1987 Riesling sekt, but with fewer bubbles. An interesting but not crowd-pleasing Champagne. @ Persona, Stockholm — 3 months ago

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. — 4 months ago

Slestyan

9.0

Butter, oak, lime? — 4 months ago

Billy L.

9.3

Happy Easter Cheers 🍾🥂👍🏻👏🏻 — 5 months ago

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.1

Been a minute since I’ve had Ruinart. Especially, a Blanc de blanc. From 375ml.

The mouthfeel, rich with soft mousse. Slightly bruised golden apple, touch of apple cider, yellow pear, ripe-juicy yellow peach, juicy pineapple, tropical melons, green caramel apple, brioche-baguette crust, frothy cream, soft, white spice, vanilla-vanillin, saline-sea spray, dry, volcanic minerals, dry limestone marl, crumbled-dry chalk, yellow flowers framed in white, spring flowers in greens, pleasant, soft acidity and well balanced, mid toned/structured, elegant finish that lasts nearly a minute and long sets on beautiful minerality. 91+

The top left cave picture tells you why no other region can replicate that kind/much chalkiness in wine. The roots swim it. For me, there is no real substitute. — 6 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. — 7 months ago

Michael Siciliano

9.4

Oxidized, Botrycized this Chenin kills. — 11 years ago

with Mike and Nate

JKT

9.2

At Cindy’s with Fing. Mistaken bottle. Golden color, clearly aged with touch of oxidation but lots of complex aromatics. Excellent — 2 months ago

Andy Stabile

9.1

Wow. I liked this more than most. Hard alkaline open. Citrus. Dry. Then a little juicy fruit on the way out. — 2 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Magnum en maximo mex vs ecua — 2 months ago

Brandon Boesch

9.4

Such a great nose of fruit and flowers. Palate coating fruits and citrus and acidity. Outstanding — 3 months ago

KA

9.5

Del Friscos Double Eagle Steakhouse Denver — 3 months ago

mike cust

9.4

Crisp delicious, drink on a hot day chilled. Buy more — 4 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 — 4 months ago

with Walker and David

Chris MacLean

9.3

Big winner at dinner tonight — 6 months ago

with Alessandro, Sarah and 2 others

Brian Hearty

9.2

2022. Love this wine with oysters and umami rich seafood dishes. Second time having this vintage and loved it even more tonight! — 7 months ago

Alvaro Bustillos

9.5

Magnum cena navidad — 8 months ago

Maya Kaczorowski

9.4

Really like this one- have had it lots of times — 12 years ago

GaryWEdwards

9.5

This is a pleasant stunner of citrus zest and tart apple. Whoa! Note to self: 12 is not sufficient supply. — 2 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Champagne Bollinger Special Cuvée Brut NV – Champagne AOC, France 🇫🇷

Overview
One of Champagne’s enduring benchmarks, Special Cuvée combines approximately 60% Pinot Noir, 25% Chardonnay, and 15% Meunier, with a significant portion of reserve wines contributing depth and consistency. Rich, layered, and unmistakably Bollinger, it delivers remarkable complexity at a price point that remains accessible compared to many prestige bottlings.

Aromas & Flavors
Golden apple, ripe pear, citrus zest, baked brioche, roasted nuts, and subtle spice unfold in layers. Notes of fresh bread dough and orchard fruit intertwine with hints of honey and toast.

Mouthfeel
Vibrant and energetic with a creamy mousse and impressive depth. A delicate kiss of yeast adds texture and contrast, while the wine’s concentration and freshness remain beautifully balanced through the finish.

Food Pairings
Lobster, seared scallops, roast chicken, truffle dishes, aged Comté, oysters, or simply enjoyed as a celebratory aperitif.

Verdict
A richly textured and multi-layered Champagne that continues to justify its reputation as one of the region’s benchmarks. Complex, expressive, and consistently rewarding, it offers a level of sophistication that punches well above its category.

Did You Know?
Unlike many large Champagne houses, Bollinger ferments a portion of its wines in old oak barrels and maintains an extensive reserve wine program, helping create the signature richness and depth that define Special Cuvée.

🍷 Personal Pick
Few non-vintage Champagnes deliver this combination of richness, complexity, and value. The layered fruit, subtle autolytic character, and vibrant texture make Special Cuvée one of my favorite benchmark Champagnes and a bottle I never hesitate to revisit. — 3 months ago

Miles Perry

9.0

A great brut Champagne. — 3 months ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Soft and good secondary notes. Quite subtle. Delicate lemon and oyster shells. Calm and pretty. Slightly disappointed but changing a lot with air in the glass — 4 months ago

with Gregg and Rick

Somm David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

I am seldom dumbfounded when it comes to wine. So, I appreciate it when that happens.

This 1990 La Grande Dame was amazing and so fresh. Full disclosure, I am not normally impressed by this producer and this cuvée. Unusual for a champagne of 35 yrs to be so fresh in my experience from inception. So much so, if poured blind many would call it N/V or a fairly recent vintage. The color was even palish straw. Mags were brought from their Champagne House.

Excellent with the dessert of the evening, “Lemon Meringue Pie Cookie.”

Enjoyed at the 2026 “From Cellar Event” Pebble Beach Food and Wine.

Creator is Sumaiya Bangee.
NEW YORK, NY
All in Hospitality and Thulathan
@_sumaiya_bangee_ — 4 months ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.5

No formal notes but exquisite. — 5 months ago

Peter van den Besselaar

9.2

NV | the Sunday breakfast sparkling with scrambled eggs — 7 months ago

romo

9.0

Too much of everything for me. — 7 months ago

Christian Fischer

9.1

Xmas day and my mother in law likes champagne with cooking. What’s not to like about that :) — 9 months ago