ChateauMontelenaNapaValleyChardonnay2022(750ml)

Tasting Notes For Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2022

This vintage opens with the refreshing aroma of green apple, honeysuckle, and orange blossom, with a mid-palate that turns tropical with starfruit and pineapple notes. While the wine’s youth and dynamism make the transition to the finish somewhat abrupt, it’s a characteristic that will evolve over time.

The texture and juiciness of the wine, coupled with the consistent acid, lift its profile, adding complexity and depth. As you savor this classic yet not overly ripe vintage, you’ll notice hints of fresh wood and vanilla, creating a nuanced yet not overshadowed floral character. Although still mouthwatering, the acid has mellowed somewhat, making it a long-lived wine.

Critic Ratings

Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate Review – Rated 93 (2020 vintage):

The 2020 Chardonnay was released in October 2022. As usual, it’s a non-malolactic fermentation wine, matured in a relatively small proportion of new French oak, and so it reveals hints of apple, tangerine and lime on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it’s sappy, a bit linear and vibrant on the palate, finishing crisp and long.