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Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2017
Chateau Montelena is one of California's historic wineries and consistent producer of some of the best Chardonnay in Napa Valley. Discover why Chateau Montelena Chardonnay beat the French at the Paris tasting in 1976! 94 Points Antonio Galloni (Vinous): "Montelena's 2017 Chardonnay is bright, focused and tightly wound, with tons of citrus peel, orchard fruit and floral character. Medium in body, with terrific energy underpinning the fruit, the 2017 is a winner. Picking early and blocking the malolactic fermentation yields a finely sculpted, nuanced Chardonnay long on class. I loved it."
Ratings on Delectable
Bob McDonald 
I haven’t had a lot of experience with Napa Valley Chardonnay but this was most enjoyable. Rich and mouth filling, creamy. Stone fruit and almonds. Barb said white flowers on the nose. Apparently this was picked early and malolactic fermentation was blocked. Oak influence is totally integrated - balanced. I paid $147 AUD in Brisbane in September 2021. A lot dearer than what you might pay in the States I would guess.
I haven’t had a lot of experience with Napa Valley Chardonnay but this was most enjoyable. Rich and mouth filling, creamy. Stone fruit and almonds. Barb said white flowers on the nose. Apparently this was picked early and malolactic fermentation was blocked. Oak influence is totally integrated - balanced. I paid $147 AUD in Brisbane in September 2021. A lot dearer than what you might pay in the States I would guess.
9.4Bob McDonald
I made some great notes on Sunday and then lost them! Overall a delicate wine with excellent oak treatment to match the lighter fruit. Under ripe white flesh stone fruit and grapefruit with a minor toasty vanilla note. Many of my previous experiences with Cali Chardonnay were overoaked but this had great balance and thoroughly enjoyable. I notice some other tasters noted ripe Chardonnay fruit - certainly not in comparison to Leeuwin Art Series in my experience.
I made some great notes on Sunday and then lost them! Overall a delicate wine with excellent oak treatment to match the lighter fruit. Under ripe white flesh stone fruit and grapefruit with a minor toasty vanilla note. Many of my previous experiences with Cali Chardonnay were overoaked but this had great balance and thoroughly enjoyable. I notice some other tasters noted ripe Chardonnay fruit - certainly not in comparison to Leeuwin Art Series in my experience.
9.2
LM Segal
Always meets the bar
Always meets the bar
9.2Cathy Corison
Owner/Winemaker Corison Winery
Ripe Chardonnay fruit.
Ripe Chardonnay fruit.
8.8
Tom Brander
Excellent, can't say much more, but appreciate the friends who brought it over.
Excellent, can't say much more, but appreciate the friends who brought it over.
9.3
Penny Wild-perkowski
2017
2017
9.0
Ericsson
A Napa legend.
A Napa legend.
9.2Bill Mowry
Young with apricot, lemon, and citrus.
Young with apricot, lemon, and citrus.
8.8
Brendan Baker
Lemon, stone fruit, bright
Lemon, stone fruit, bright
9.1
Bruce Gunther
Very nice..mineral notes, floral, almost key lime. Smooth, balanced, surprisingly light mouth feel, a bit of tartness in the finish.
Very nice..mineral notes, floral, almost key lime. Smooth, balanced, surprisingly light mouth feel, a bit of tartness in the finish.
9.1
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