Tasted from a well-cellared bottle that was popped and poured, this straw-colored Chardonnay exemplifies the Montelena style. By virtue of not allowing malolactic fermentation, Montelena's Chardonnays deliver a nice degree of freshness that give the wines lift from start to finish. The 2018 version is no exception. On the nose, it offers an intense aromatic profile of pit fruits, green apples, Bosq pears, wet stones and jasmine. The flavors mirror the nose, adding notes of citrus and allspice. The wine's oak and alcohol (13.9%) are well-woven and the mid-palate is nicely dense. Finishing with good length and energy, this is another terrific vintage of Montelena Chardonnay that should be at its best over the next five years. Drink now-2028.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
This Chardonnay had a medium plus acidity with tart fruity flavors. Not quite as acidic and tart as a Sauvignon Blanc, but more in that range than your typical Chardonnay.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Always a pleasure to drink such an iconic wine and story. It never disappoints either bright tropical, citrus and slight oak. No MF so no butter bomb Cali chard. This is good now but in 5 years or so will be great
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Agree with other recent notes that this is starting to drink really nicely. Green apple in the nose along with . . . sandalwood? Has weight in the mouth. Complex and balanced, nice long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Nose: pineapple, mango, tropical fruits Notes: given its age the Montelena Chardonnay is full of freshness and tropical fruits. The nose is occupied with a lot of pineapple notes. The montelena certainly delivers value and I would say this is a good daily wine to have. It can be enjoyed now but I would think that it will improve in 3-4 years. Drink: 2025+ Rating: 90
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted this alongside the 2018 Ramey Rochioli and both wines are extremely well-made Chardonnay’s albeit from different regions of California. The Montelena suits my palate a little better as it has a nice blend of Oaked and non-oaked, where the Ramey had oak throughout its aging time. Beautiful flavors of citrus fruits, some caramel and a finish that really lingered.
A Chardonnay that has some complexity of layers yet so enjoyable by the casual sipper. This is a crowd pleaser as it highlights the oak flavors while not over doing it allowing the secondary and even tertiary flavors to come though.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted 1 hour. Drank alongside a 2017 Grgich Hills Chardonnay. Was everyone's favourite of the two. No formal notes but was very smooth and complex, with a killer finish. Oak was noticeable, but not at all overdone. Might not have the acidity to be a good food wine, but was a great sipper. With Rob (for his birthday), Barb, Karim, Maria.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Much too young to get a sense of where this chardonnay will end up. Drank over two days with day 2 showing flavors of green apple, lemon peel, citrus and stone fruit. Nice acidity and dryness but far from finding balance and resolution. Will wait several years before opening this again.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Really well made and delicious to drink right now potential for improvement with additional age. Citrus, melon, pear, pineapple, baking spices and white flowers. Excellent Chardonnay!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Decanted two hours, great acidity, mild butter feel. Pretty complex. On opening, there was an off burned popcorn flavor common with chard that blew off. Well balanced. A winner.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Based on previous reviews, I popped this in advance to let it air and warm up. Very complex fruit notes with lemon, lime, peach, pear, apricot, and a little apple. Crisp acidity and a little bit of minerality on the finish. I found it a touch overoaked for my palate although others in the group enjoyed it.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Tasted 2 bottles at a restaurant at which I insisted they decant it and let it warm from its much too cold serving temperature. It needed at least 90 minutes to come around but when it did it was really much better than most of the other reviews I have read on this. It was a bright but light to medium lemon yellow color. The nose had honeysuckle and citrus (lime/lemon zest). Palate has great texture I thought…not especially dense but vibrant and delicate without being lightweight with lots of finesse. Flavors included pear, lime, pineapple and white peach. Ever so slight hint of oak. Excellent acidity and a mineral backbone that hid the fruit initially. Long, pleasant, mouthwatering aftertaste. I think this needs more bottle cellar time and like many of the worlds best chards, more air time than most people likely give it. This was definitely unimpressive when first opened at a temperature well below cellar temperature and without time to breathe. It steadily improved over time in the decanter and glass.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
BYO Litteraturhuset (Litteraturhuset i Oslo): Lys gul med grønnskjær. Svært aromatisk duft av smørmalt, fløtekarameller og et tydelig eikepreg. Åpen, fyldig og eikepreget smak som følger duft. Rik stil med god fylde men noe lav syre, svært ung p.t. og bør nok ligge noen år for å lagre av seg hvalpefettet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Pale yellow. Pronounced nose of ripe apricot, pineapple, mango, butter, and bit of butterscotch. Very soft creamy acids, some hint of burnt butter, and very ripe candied peaches and pineapples, fleshy, and quite a lot of heat. Fair length at the back
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Apple, pear and a hint of tangerine are predominant on the palate. Creamy, buttery but without the heavy over oaked, vanilla of so many CA Chardonnays. Beautifully balanced with just a hint of acidity. A really nice Chardonnay.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Faint aroma of fresh post rain field. Clean entry nuanced fruit, mineral soft stone, controlled acid, restrained wood in check. Concentrated and as balanced a Chard as you may encounter. Agree with some, not all comments. Riper softer fruit than a Burgundy. The citrus element is an aftertaste. The mineral component is broader than many Chards and the acid pleasant rather than intrusive. Unique I would say.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Deep lemon color with a nose of tangerine, lemons, popcorn and acacia. The palate is bright and very citrusy, yet the butter component is missing. I’m confused. Green apple, baked bread and pear are playing second fiddle to lemon and tangerine. It’s evident that Malolactic fermentation has been blocked, keeping the fruit vibrant and fresh. Oak influence is also evident, albeit deft. The wine has medium acidity and is quite full bodied. On the finish I get a nuttiness- like stone fruit seed. Yummy stuff that gets 92 points. This is an iconic wine that merits a try, even though it rolls in at $50. 5 stars from me. Pair with seafood, perhaps even some stuffed, baked mushrooms.
This wine was fantastic with our garden fresh summer squash gallet. The balanced richness, slight oak and acidity in the wine paired perfectly with the buttery crust, bits of bacon, mozzarella cheese and squash.
A: Medium lemon N: Medium (+) nose of peach, cooked pear, mango puree, pineapple tart, Meyer lemon (grilled), white blossom, struck match, smoke, vanilla, toast, butter, nutmeg P: Dry, medium (+) acidity, medium (+) intensity, high alcohol, full body and long finish C: BLIC? Its very good quality wine but still rather young, I think. I would lay this down as it is suitable for ageing and I would love some dried fruit and more nuts as you might expect in an older wine. There are a fair number of descriptive clusters here but i don't consider this very complex. It is lacking tertiary notes that will certainly appear as it ages.
The balance works quite well here between fruit ripeness and acidity. It could have gone either way. The fruit is very ripe and somewhat stewed when it comes to the citrus and pomaceous fruit. It is so ripe, it has some RS in here and that and the tropical fruit punch thing is ***how I would differentiate this from a Burgundy***. Also, lacking a bitter wet stone element.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
I didn’t know what to think about this wine. There was never an OMG moment which I was expecting from Montelena. I’ve enjoyed Chardonnay way more from lower price points. It was fine. Possibly try again in the future.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No
/ Comment
Excellent wine. Limited wood and no malo fermentation so not like California and more like burgundy. A good amount of acidity with wonderful fruit and 30 SEC finish. This will last many years.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Kleur: Middel strogeel. Aroma / bouquet: Zacht frisse en sappige tonen, limoentjes, verse ananas, peer, gele appel. Smaak / Afdronk: Zachte zuurgraad, opvallend sappig en fris. Snoepjesachtige zuurgraad. Zowel ten aanzien van het houtgebruik als het alcoholpercentage doet deze wijn bijna wat 'Frans / klassiek' aan. Zuiver, filmend mondgevoel, gemiddelde lengte. Retronasale impressies van limoen, ananas en peer. Algemeen / potentieel: Mooie en klassiek-aandoende Napa-Chardonnay die bij de Paris Tasting de eerste prijs scoorde. Prettige wijn. Maar opnieuw de wedstrijd verliezen van de top van de witte Bourgogne? Ik zie het niet meer gebeuren, maar misschien ook wel omdat ook de Franse wijnmakers sinds 1976 progressie hebben gemaakt.... 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 11 + Smaak / Afdronk: 16 + Algemeen / potentieel: 8 = 90/100
Color: Medium straw yellow Aroma / bouquet: Soft fresh and juicy notes, limes, fresh pineapple, pear, yellow apple. Taste / Finish: Soft acidity, remarkably juicy and fresh. Candy-like acidity. Both with regard to the use of wood and the alcohol percentage, this wine has almost a 'French / classic' feel to it. Clean, filmy mouthfeel, medium length. Retronasal impressions of lime, pineapple and pear. Overall / potential: Beautiful and classic-looking Napa-Chardonnay that scored first prize at the Paris Tasting. Nice wine. But lose the match again from the top of white Burgundy? I don't see it happening anymore, but maybe also because the French winemakers have made progress since 1976 ... 50 + Color: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 11 + Taste / Finish: 16 + General / potential: 8 = 90 / 100
Off the list at the club. Consistent with my prior note- very pretty with plenty of fruit. Apple, honeysuckle and jasmine with subtle coconut undertones. Loads of orchard fruit, melon and mineral.
Two bottles off the list-both excellent!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Forward nose of underripe nectarine, apple, dried pineapple, flowers, melon, earth, and minerals. Light barrel notes, no butter. Citrus, stone fruit, earth, apple, and minerals on the palate. Beautifully balanced acidity, medium body, medium finish. The palate isn't as fun as the nose, but this is delicious chardonnay. The acidity summons you to take another sip.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
Courtesy of tlv, popped and poured for the web event. A lovely vintage for this wine and surprisingly open considering its youth. Apple, jasmine, coconut and honeysuckle elements. Orchard fruit dominates the palate, but the oak is subdued and there’s terrific balancing acidity here. I typically wouldn’t touch a Montelena chard for a few years but this is drinking beautifully and I was compelled to order a couple of mags.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
We went through the Domaine Drouhin Chardonnay so quickly we decided to opened this Montelena Chardonnay. Both wines are made in a very similar elegant style, although we think the Montelena is better than DD - would be hard to argue if someone thought the opposite. Cheers to great wines 🍷🥂
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
The 2018 Chateau Montelena has tremendous energy and tension. It is very Chablis-like in its young age. Golden yellow in color with gunflint, citrus, melon, and baking spices on the nose. The mouthwatering acidity stays with you for minutes. Give this a few more years to mellow out.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No
/ Comment
7/6/2023 - La Cave d'Argent Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted from a well-cellared bottle that was popped and poured, this straw-colored Chardonnay exemplifies the Montelena style. By virtue of not allowing malolactic fermentation, Montelena's Chardonnays deliver a nice degree of freshness that give the wines lift from start to finish. The 2018 version is no exception. On the nose, it offers an intense aromatic profile of pit fruits, green apples, Bosq pears, wet stones and jasmine. The flavors mirror the nose, adding notes of citrus and allspice. The wine's oak and alcohol (13.9%) are well-woven and the mid-palate is nicely dense. Finishing with good length and energy, this is another terrific vintage of Montelena Chardonnay that should be at its best over the next five years. Drink now-2028.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/6/2023 - RichC82 Likes this wine: 81 Points
This Chardonnay had a medium plus acidity with tart fruity flavors. Not quite as acidic and tart as a Sauvignon Blanc, but more in that range than your typical Chardonnay.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/4/2023 - Bbrown82 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Always a pleasure to drink such an iconic wine and story. It never disappoints either bright tropical, citrus and slight oak. No MF so no butter bomb Cali chard. This is good now but in 5 years or so will be great
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/15/2023 - Dave Dewar wrote:
P&P. Medium-dark gold. Intense aromas of burnt butter, ripe tropical fruit, honeysuckle, oak. Replays on palate plus a sweet apple. M-F body, M+ acid, XD, well-integrated 14.4% ABV. Long finish. Round, smooth, delicious. Excellent. With Rob Dykstra.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/18/2022 - KimandScott Likes this wine: 92 Points
Agree with other recent notes that this is starting to drink really nicely. Green apple in the nose along with . . . sandalwood? Has weight in the mouth. Complex and balanced, nice long finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/8/2022 - bin905 Likes this wine: 92 Points
Very Burgundian, focused, crisp citrus, green apple and mineral flavor.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/17/2022 - laralh wrote: 89 Points
Sitron, eple, litt smør, grapefrukt og bitterhet. Lang og medium fylde.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/27/2022 - TWSA wrote: 90 Points
Nose: pineapple, mango, tropical fruits
Notes: given its age the Montelena Chardonnay is full of freshness and tropical fruits. The nose is occupied with a lot of pineapple notes. The montelena certainly delivers value and I would say this is a good daily wine to have. It can be enjoyed now but I would think that it will improve in 3-4 years.
Drink: 2025+
Rating: 90
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/18/2022 - Odedis.Wine.reviews Likes this wine: 90 Points
This 4 year old Napa Chardonnay is starting to drink nicely, but not there yet. Needs at least 5 years in the bottle to mature properly.
Medium plus in body with medium plus acidity.
Dry and fruity on the palate with nice complexity.
Showing lemons citrus, oak, vanilla, yellow and green apples, grapefruits, almonds, earth, minerals, and white pepper.
Good by itself and better with food.
A good wine to pair with seafood. A good quality wine.
13.9% alcohol by volume.
90 points.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
9/17/2022 - Carlos correa Likes this wine:
Colour: clear straw
Nose: apple, bread, honey, petrol, caramel, blossom
Tart and ripe
Palate: tart and ripe
Body: full
Acidity: high
Alcohol: moderate plus
Finish: moderate
Selling notes:
Well balanced Chardonnay with beautiful bread notes surrounded by high acidity and a caramel apple finish
Quality: good
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/13/2022 - cweiner Likes this wine: 92 Points
Unfortunately the end of the case.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2022 - brouigu1 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Tasted this alongside the 2018 Ramey Rochioli and both wines are extremely well-made Chardonnay’s albeit from different regions of California. The Montelena suits my palate a little better as it has a nice blend of Oaked and non-oaked, where the Ramey had oak throughout its aging time. Beautiful flavors of citrus fruits, some caramel and a finish that really lingered.
A Chardonnay that has some complexity of layers yet so enjoyable by the casual sipper. This is a crowd pleaser as it highlights the oak flavors while not over doing it allowing the secondary and even tertiary flavors to come though.
5 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/21/2022 - Dave Dewar Likes this wine:
Decanted 1 hour. Drank alongside a 2017 Grgich Hills Chardonnay. Was everyone's favourite of the two. No formal notes but was very smooth and complex, with a killer finish. Oak was noticeable, but not at all overdone. Might not have the acidity to be a good food wine, but was a great sipper. With Rob (for his birthday), Barb, Karim, Maria.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/6/2022 - jan erik wrote: 92 Points
- Yellow color - Gained some weight compared to 1 year ago.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/2/2022 - Tahlequahdave1972 Likes this wine: 91 Points
Much too young to get a sense of where this chardonnay will end up. Drank over two days with day 2 showing flavors of green apple, lemon peel, citrus and stone fruit. Nice acidity and dryness but far from finding balance and resolution. Will wait several years before opening this again.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/30/2022 - CHINACAT wrote: 89 Points
Lemon and orange peel, a little dry, lively, with some lingering metallic notes. Still has some time ahead of it.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/26/2022 - tedcholl Likes this wine: 92 Points
Really well made and delicious to drink right now potential for improvement with additional age. Citrus, melon, pear, pineapple, baking spices and white flowers. Excellent Chardonnay!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/20/2022 - madrapper Likes this wine: 93 Points
맛있다
미국 샤도 같지 않다
다음날이 더 맛있음 향도 좋아짐 꽃향기 시트러스
산미 좋다
다음에는 디켄팅해서 마셔야지~~~~
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
4/18/2022 - Discobiscuits42 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Decanted two hours, great acidity, mild butter feel. Pretty complex. On opening, there was an off burned popcorn flavor common with chard that blew off. Well balanced. A winner.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/17/2022 - Deegie Likes this wine: 92 Points
Based on previous reviews, I popped this in advance to let it air and warm up. Very complex fruit notes with lemon, lime, peach, pear, apricot, and a little apple. Crisp acidity and a little bit of minerality on the finish. I found it a touch overoaked for my palate although others in the group enjoyed it.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
4/9/2022 - oldwines Likes this wine: 94 Points
Tasted 2 bottles at a restaurant at which I insisted they decant it and let it warm from its much too cold serving temperature. It needed at least 90 minutes to come around but when it did it was really much better than most of the other reviews I have read on this. It was a bright but light to medium lemon yellow color. The nose had honeysuckle and citrus (lime/lemon zest). Palate has great texture I thought…not especially dense but vibrant and delicate without being lightweight with lots of finesse. Flavors included pear, lime, pineapple and white peach. Ever so slight hint of oak. Excellent acidity and a mineral backbone that hid the fruit initially. Long, pleasant, mouthwatering aftertaste. I think this needs more bottle cellar time and like many of the worlds best chards, more air time than most people likely give it. This was definitely unimpressive when first opened at a temperature well below cellar temperature and without time to breathe. It steadily improved over time in the decanter and glass.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/22/2022 - GuWin wrote: 90 Points
BYO Litteraturhuset (Litteraturhuset i Oslo): Lys gul med grønnskjær. Svært aromatisk duft av smørmalt, fløtekarameller og et tydelig eikepreg. Åpen, fyldig og eikepreget smak som følger duft. Rik stil med god fylde men noe lav syre, svært ung p.t. og bør nok ligge noen år for å lagre av seg hvalpefettet.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/5/2022 - AWBryce wrote:
Complex, light fruit on the nose, oink starburst tropical fruits. Palate is balanced, nice acid, rounded finish.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/27/2022 - Ssccbb Likes this wine: 91 Points
Golden colour. Citrus, green fruits and oak on the nose. Good acidity and length. Great wine that might improve even more with age.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
1/16/2022 - whudock Likes this wine: 92 Points
consistent with previous notes. May be improving in depth with bottle age.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
12/26/2021 - BButts Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent. It's what I have come to expect from CM.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
11/26/2021 - vinhonotte Likes this wine: 91 Points
Pale yellow. Pronounced nose of ripe apricot, pineapple, mango, butter, and bit of butterscotch. Very soft creamy acids, some hint of burnt butter, and very ripe candied peaches and pineapples, fleshy, and quite a lot of heat. Fair length at the back
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2021 - wconnolly Likes this wine: 93 Points
Apple, pear and a hint of tangerine are predominant on the palate. Creamy, buttery but without the heavy over oaked, vanilla of so many CA Chardonnays. Beautifully balanced with just a hint of acidity. A really nice Chardonnay.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/25/2021 - EyeFly1982 Does not like this wine: 80 Points
Way too buttery for my taste
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
10/18/2021 - Francophile1 Likes this wine: 87 Points
Good, but I’ve had better from this producer. It lacked depth and character and was a touch watery. Maybe it needs a year or two to add some weight?
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/12/2021 - tomoem wrote: 89 Points
I cannot agree more on this wine than the notes of CT member CASPERNICK.
I enjoyed the presence of lemon but this lacking on the creamy texture side.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/9/2021 - xyc Likes this wine: 92 Points
Faint aroma of fresh post rain field. Clean entry nuanced fruit, mineral soft stone, controlled acid, restrained wood in check. Concentrated and as balanced a Chard as you may encounter. Agree with some, not all comments. Riper softer fruit than a Burgundy. The citrus element is an aftertaste. The mineral component is broader than many Chards and the acid pleasant rather than intrusive. Unique I would say.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
9/5/2021 - DaveNC Likes this wine: 94 Points
Crisp, minerality. Not your typical Napa chard, had more of a French footprint. Liked it a lot.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
8/9/2021 - caspernick Likes this wine: 92 Points
Deep lemon color with a nose of tangerine, lemons, popcorn and acacia. The palate is bright and very citrusy, yet the butter component is missing. I’m confused. Green apple, baked bread and pear are playing second fiddle to lemon and tangerine. It’s evident that Malolactic fermentation has been blocked, keeping the fruit vibrant and fresh. Oak influence is also evident, albeit deft. The wine has medium acidity and is quite full bodied. On the finish I get a nuttiness- like stone fruit seed. Yummy stuff that gets 92 points. This is an iconic wine that merits a try, even though it rolls in at $50. 5 stars from me. Pair with seafood, perhaps even some stuffed, baked mushrooms.
https://caspernick.com/2021/08/09/chateau-montelena-chardonnay-2018-napa-valley-california/
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
7/24/2021 - jan erik wrote: 92 Points
- Yellow color - Splendid
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
7/18/2021 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 93 Points
This wine was fantastic with our garden fresh summer squash gallet. The balanced richness, slight oak and acidity in the wine paired perfectly with the buttery crust, bits of bacon, mozzarella cheese and squash.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comments (2)
7/16/2021 - Wine_and_ju Likes this wine: 90 Points
중간 밀짚색
버터리하고 유질감이 있는 향으로 시작해서 레몬맛이 올라옴
피니쉬에 적절한 타닌감으로 깔끔하게 마무리하는 느낌
레몬으로 시작해서 은은하게 파인애플, 오렌지, 청사과, 배향이 올라옴. 중간에 산뜻한 산미가 올라오다 깔끔한 타닌감과 미네랄로 마무리되는 느낌.
처음부터 마지막까지 복합적인 향과 맛이 느껴지고 잘 조화됨. 산미와 오크의 조화가 매력적.
2시간이 지나니 처음에 비해 사과, 꿀향이 올라오고 끝맛이 스윗해진 느낌
7-8만원대에 구입한다면 괜찮음.
10만원 이하 샤도네이 중 매우 매력적인 와인
90점
구입가: 8만원 중반
희망가: 6-8만원
재구매 의사 있음
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
6/16/2021 - Heynetty Likes this wine:
A: Medium lemon
N: Medium (+) nose of peach, cooked pear, mango puree, pineapple tart, Meyer lemon (grilled), white blossom, struck match, smoke, vanilla, toast, butter, nutmeg
P: Dry, medium (+) acidity, medium (+) intensity, high alcohol, full body and long finish
C: BLIC? Its very good quality wine but still rather young, I think. I would lay this down as it is suitable for ageing and I would love some dried fruit and more nuts as you might expect in an older wine. There are a fair number of descriptive clusters here but i don't consider this very complex. It is lacking tertiary notes that will certainly appear as it ages.
The balance works quite well here between fruit ripeness and acidity. It could have gone either way. The fruit is very ripe and somewhat stewed when it comes to the citrus and pomaceous fruit. It is so ripe, it has some RS in here and that and the tropical fruit punch thing is ***how I would differentiate this from a Burgundy***. Also, lacking a bitter wet stone element.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
6/1/2021 - RHowardJr wrote: 85 Points
I didn’t know what to think about this wine. There was never an OMG moment which I was expecting from Montelena. I’ve enjoyed Chardonnay way more from lower price points. It was fine. Possibly try again in the future.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
5/23/2021 - tadams66 Likes this wine: 93 Points
Excellent wine. Limited wood and no malo fermentation so not like California and more like burgundy. A good amount of acidity with wonderful fruit and 30 SEC finish. This will last many years.
3 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
5/7/2021 - WildeMeeuw Likes this wine: 90 Points
Kleur: Middel strogeel. Aroma / bouquet: Zacht frisse en sappige tonen, limoentjes, verse ananas, peer, gele appel. Smaak / Afdronk: Zachte zuurgraad, opvallend sappig en fris. Snoepjesachtige zuurgraad. Zowel ten aanzien van het houtgebruik als het alcoholpercentage doet deze wijn bijna wat 'Frans / klassiek' aan. Zuiver, filmend mondgevoel, gemiddelde lengte. Retronasale impressies van limoen, ananas en peer. Algemeen / potentieel: Mooie en klassiek-aandoende Napa-Chardonnay die bij de Paris Tasting de eerste prijs scoorde. Prettige wijn. Maar opnieuw de wedstrijd verliezen van de top van de witte Bourgogne? Ik zie het niet meer gebeuren, maar misschien ook wel omdat ook de Franse wijnmakers sinds 1976 progressie hebben gemaakt.... 50 + Kleur: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 11 + Smaak / Afdronk: 16 + Algemeen / potentieel: 8 = 90/100
Color: Medium straw yellow Aroma / bouquet: Soft fresh and juicy notes, limes, fresh pineapple, pear, yellow apple. Taste / Finish: Soft acidity, remarkably juicy and fresh. Candy-like acidity. Both with regard to the use of wood and the alcohol percentage, this wine has almost a 'French / classic' feel to it. Clean, filmy mouthfeel, medium length. Retronasal impressions of lime, pineapple and pear. Overall / potential: Beautiful and classic-looking Napa-Chardonnay that scored first prize at the Paris Tasting. Nice wine. But lose the match again from the top of white Burgundy? I don't see it happening anymore, but maybe also because the French winemakers have made progress since 1976 ... 50 + Color: 5 + Aroma / bouquet: 11 + Taste / Finish: 16 + General / potential: 8 = 90 / 100
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comments (1)
5/4/2021 - yves charbonnier Likes this wine: 90 Points
Très joli nez sur des fruits exotiques. Bouche ample, souple et vive. Très belle expression du chardonnay
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
3/25/2021 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
Off the list at the club. Consistent with my prior note- very pretty with plenty of fruit. Apple, honeysuckle and jasmine with subtle coconut undertones. Loads of orchard fruit, melon and mineral.
Two bottles off the list-both excellent!
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
3/11/2021 - rmh66 wrote: 90 Points
Forward nose of underripe nectarine, apple, dried pineapple, flowers, melon, earth, and minerals. Light barrel notes, no butter. Citrus, stone fruit, earth, apple, and minerals on the palate. Beautifully balanced acidity, medium body, medium finish. The palate isn't as fun as the nose, but this is delicious chardonnay. The acidity summons you to take another sip.
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/18/2021 - whudock Likes this wine: 92 Points
consistent with previous note, but depth is developing with bottle aging. A wonderful chard.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2021 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 92 Points
Virtual tasting with Chateau Montelena with cheese & salami pairings: This Chardonnay was delicious, as always, and with and without the pairings.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment
2/12/2021 - AllRed wrote: 93 Points
Courtesy of tlv, popped and poured for the web event. A lovely vintage for this wine and surprisingly open considering its youth. Apple, jasmine, coconut and honeysuckle elements. Orchard fruit dominates the palate, but the oak is subdued and there’s terrific balancing acidity here. I typically wouldn’t touch a Montelena chard for a few years but this is drinking beautifully and I was compelled to order a couple of mags.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
12/24/2020 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 94 Points
We went through the Domaine Drouhin Chardonnay so quickly we decided to opened this Montelena Chardonnay. Both wines are made in a very similar elegant style, although we think the Montelena is better than DD - would be hard to argue if someone thought the opposite. Cheers to great wines 🍷🥂
2 people found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/18/2020 - jgreco Likes this wine: 93 Points
The 2018 Chateau Montelena has tremendous energy and tension. It is very Chablis-like in its young age. Golden yellow in color with gunflint, citrus, melon, and baking spices on the nose. The mouthwatering acidity stays with you for minutes. Give this a few more years to mellow out.
1 person found this helpful, do you? Yes - No / Comment
11/7/2020 - whudock Likes this wine: 91 Points
extremely well-balanced, subtle and nuanced rather than powerful.
Do you find this review helpful? Yes - No / Comment