Ch. Montelena

Chateau Montelena Chardonnay Napa Valley

California

Napa Valley

67 Pall Mall, London

I haven't had Montelena Chardonnay for a while, but this 2019 surprised me with its style, more associated with white Burgundy than your usual ripe and sweet USA Chardonnay.⁠
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Bright lemon yellow with green reflections, it offers a lovely mixture of citrus oil, green apple, candle wax, and diacetyl, complemented by a sweet/sour mineral note with toasted oak and melted butter richness.⁠
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Some might say it’s too oaky, but I think it actually works and complements its structure, providing dense and spicy vanilla, butter, and salt with gravelly flintiness.⁠
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The proportion and harmony are fantastic, with a round and creamy mid and back palate with just enough salty residue. It will be much better given time; I would imagine further structural integration. 92.5+⁠
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It makes me wonders how that will fare with white Burgundy, and the only way to find out is to blind taste them side by side.⁠

Fine wine advisor


Middels gul på farge.
Middels intens på nesen, litt utviklet aroma av moden sitron, toast, lime, flint, litt sopp.
Høy syre og en intens smak av moden sitron, tre, karamell, stein. Høy alkohol. God konsentrasjon, lang avslutning.

Hadde nesten glemt hvor deilig vin dette er 🤩

Sommelier

Oak, green apple, butter, lemon, fizzy candy, tutti frutti, melon, pineapple and minerals.
Consentrated and powerful.

Expert

Uttalt duft av vanilje, eik og tropiske frukter. 
Smaker av smør, sitrus, vanilje og mineralitet. En kompleks og balansert vin, men litt for eiket og «varm» vin etter min smak.

WSET 3

WSET 2

Oak, butter citrus, pear, vanilla, cream, minerals, peach, pineapple, tropical, lime, melon, toast and straw.
Balanced and intense.

Holder seg godt. God fylde, fruktighet og lengde. Sitrus utviklet seg til grapefrukt. 
Vinfeber 2024.

USA chardonnay, men med europeisk friskhet.
Alle de klassiske napa triggerne er på plass uten at det blir tungt og dafft.
Suveren kvalitet, utrolig digg, men Smakt samtidig med Patrick Sullivan’s Ada river fikk den tøff match.
Begge satt selvfølgelig perfekt til maten.

2021	899,90 krNot available	Excellent
2020	899,90 krAvailable	Excellent
2019	729,70 krAvailable	Excellent
2018	649,90 krAvailable	Outstanding
2017	No priceAvailable	Not rated

Category	White wine
Vinmonopolet no.	15522501
Producer	Ch. Montelena
Vintages	2019
Country	US, California, Napa Valley
Bottle	75 cl

Alcohol	14.1 %
Acid	%
Sugar	< 3 g/l

Packaging	Glass
Cork type
Selection	Spesialutvalg
Wholesaler	LaMarc Wines AS
Carrier	Skanlog AS