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Chateau Montelena

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2016

Napa Valley, California

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Chateau Montelena’s Napa Chardonnay showed that the new world could create classically balanced and complex wines in its own voice, and that from the right sites and with perseverance, the results could equal anything made the world over. Through fads and trends, Montelena has never changed in its philosophy of bringing the sunshine of California in a style that is structured, balanced and age worthy.

In 1976, in what is now memorialized as “The Judgment of Paris”, Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay was the top-ranking wine against four white Burgundies and five other California Chardonnays in a blind tasting with a who’s-who of the french food and wine industry judging. And as they say, the rest is history.

Vineyard

The Chardonnay for the 2016 vintage is sourced from vineyards located in the south-central Napa Valley appellation, near the base of Mt. Veeder and Dry Creek Valley Road on the western bench of the Napa Valley. It has a good north-eastern exposure with a slope of 4-7%. The Haire-Loam soil has a profile very similar to that of the Carneros region, although the climate is slightly warmer. The vineyard site, developed from old ocean terraces and alluvial fans, contains a lot of sedimentary material such as decomposed shale and blue/gray clay. This soil mixture gives moderate drainage and slight acidity. Typically, the Chardonnay has a concentrated floral, green apple aroma and a refreshing and persistent impression on the palate.

Winemaking

The Napa Valley Chardonnay is made of 100% Chardonnay grapes and was aged in 100% French oak barrels for 10 months. Emblematic to the style of the estate, it offers concentrated floral, green apple aromas and a refreshing and persistent impression on the palate.

Vintage

2016 will be remembered as a classic vintage with consistent temperatures and few extremes. Although yields were low in general, a relatively mild August and September moderated ripening, allowing for uniform maturity and the opportunity for very selective, targeted picks.

Tasting Note

All of our wines from the 2016 vintage are incredibly floral and this Chardonnay is no exception. Aroma’s of Honeysuckle, jasmine, and apple blossom along with wispy notes of vanilla and lemon balm highlight a harmony of classic Chardonnay aromas. In the mouth green apple, candied orange peel, and baking spices anchor a panoply of vineyard flavors.

Seamlessly interwoven between each is fresh, bright acidity along with incredible minerality and depth that slowly build texture and weight, beautifully.

Food Pairing

This is a totally food friendly wine that can be enjoyed on its own, or as a complement to any number of dishes – especially fresh seafood, shellfish or poultry. The creaminess of a crab salad or lobster roll will cut through the acidity and citrus notes of the wine beautifully.

Color

White

Grape Varieties

Chardonnay

Appellation

Napa Valley, California

Alcohol

13.6%

Suggested Retail Price

$57.00

Reviews

90

"Balanced and lengthy"

Jeb Dunnuck - February 1, 2019 "Sourced mostly from a tiny site in Oak Knoll, the 2016 Chardonnay Napa Valley sees no malolactic fermentation and is brought up in 10-20% new French oak. It's a steely, racy effort that has pretty notes of tart citrus, apple blossom, lemon, and hints of minerality, Clean, medium-bodied, very vibrant and fresh, it's balanced and lengthy. It's going to age as well."

94

"Fresh, nuanced, and light"

Vinous - September 4, 2019 "Montelena's 2016 Chardonnay is terrific. Fresh, nuanced and light on its feet, the 2016 is striking for its freshness and understated intensity. Lemon peel, almond, chamomile and floral overtones add shades of nuance throughout, but above all else, the 2016 stands out for its bright, crystalline tension and overall energy. What a gorgeous wine this is."

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