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Wine Description
The Story
Chateau Montelena’s Napa Chardonnay showed that the new world could create classicly 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.
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.
Wine Information
VINTAGE WEATHER
The 2011 vintage is an excellent example of the stylistic target of this wine. The cool growing season resulted in lower sugars and longer, slower flavor development. This allowed us to really hone in on the narrow band of flavors that we aim for without having to contend with any of the ‘noise’ that we see in the really ripe (hotter) years. So don’t believe everything you hear in the press about 2011 – it really was an exceptional year for Chateau Montelena Chardonnay.
TASTING NOTES
This Chardonnay shows a beautiful rich golden straw color in the glass with clean pure aromas of pear and crisp green apple, all overlaid with light tropical fruit notes and a hint of honeysuckle. On the palate, this wine has wonderful fullness and creaminess without being heavy. A clean soft entry is quickly followed by crisp acidity and a rich display of fruit including juicy nectarine and white peach along with a hint of lychee and fresh citrus. The flavors on the finish are reminiscent of pear tart while the oak contribution is well integrated throughout the profile, with just a touch of nuttiness showing through.
| RELEASE PRICE | $50.00 |
|---|---|
| HARVEST DATE | September 29 to October 14, 2011 |
| BARREL AGING | 10 months in 100% French oak (8% new) |
| BOTTLING DATE | August 6 to August 16, 2012 |
| RELEASE DATE | October 1, 2013 |
| CASES PRODUCED | 14,319 cases |
| ALCOHOL | 13.6% |