Chateau Montelena Estate Chardonnay 2023
(Napa Valley, California) - [DM 95]

About the Winery:
Chateau Montelena has a celebrated history, most widely known for winning the “Judgement of Paris” and putting California at the forefront of the wine world. Founded in 1882 by A.L. Tubbs, a San Francisco entrepreneur, the winery was among the largest in Napa Valley and thrived prior to prohibition. Chateau Montelena as it is known and recognized today begins with the Barrett Family, who purchased and reunified the original estate in 1972. Recognizing the potential of this exceptional property, Jim Barrett along with his son, Bo, replanted the vineyards, invested in modern equipment and honed their farming and winemaking.

In just a few short years, Chateau Montelena’s 1973 Chardonnay was selected as the top-ranking wine in a blind tasting of four white Burgundies and six California Chardonnays, a defining event that forever altered the perception of American wine and placed Montelena firmly on the global stage. 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the 1976 “Judgment of Paris."

Today the winery is by led second-generation CEO Bo Barrett along with Winemaker Matthew Crafton.

About this Wine:
Chateau Montelena’s Napa Valley Chardonnay combines the best of the old world: structure, acidity and grace with modern ripeness and texture. It eschews heavy oak and butter and instead showcases the purity of vintage, vineyard and varietal character. Most notably, the 1973 vintage earned international acclaim when it was named the top Chardonnay at the 1976 “Judgment of Paris”, a historic moment that redefined the global perception of American wine and solidified Chateau Montelena’s legacy on the world stage.

About the Vintage:
The 2023 vintage will be remembered as one of the best in the last decade. Overall, it was an outstanding growing season where the mild conditions prevailed, capping an exceptional vintage.

While there’s certainly California luster and opulence in the margins, both are tucked away right now, overshadowed by lush pear, lime leaf and orange blossom. The minerality and tension on the palate are simply awesome and the acidity is bright and racy. Wines from cool-vintages tend to mature slightly more slowly than their warm-vintage cousins, so expect the parade of citrus, green apple and flinty minerals to dominate for the next few years. That said, the mouthfeel is just gorgeous with more gravitas and weight than I would have expected at this time; a very pleasant surprise. - Winemaker Matt Crafton

Tasting Notes:
Cool vintages are something special. While there’s certainly California luster and opulence in the margins, both are tucked away right now, overshadowed by lush pear, lime leaf and orange blossom. The minerality and tension on the palate are simply awesome and the acidity is bright and racy. Wines from these vintages tend to mature slightly more slowly than their warm-vintage cousins, so expect the parade of citrus, green apple and flinty minerals to dominate for the next few years. That said, the mouthfeel is just gorgeous with more gravitas and weight than I would have expected at this time; a very pleasant surprise.

Varietals:  100% Chardonnay

Aging:  10 Months, 100% French  Oak, 25% New

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points - Decanter Magazine:
"Vivid, pure citrus expression with a mineral character, like the squeeze of a just-picked Meyer lemon over an oyster-shell, laced with white floral notes. Linear in its youthful exuberance, it shows a fabulous core of dense citrus and orchard fruit, with a lemon-oil richness underpinning the fruit that maintains a purely delicate edge. Crisp, crunchy acidity provides shape and drive, while enticing Marcona almond notes add some depth and texture through the finish." - Jonathan Cristaldi (Jan 2026)