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Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2014 Wine Review

Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2014

Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2014

Napa Valley, California, United States

Community Score:90/100

Community Reviews: 5

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Price: $75.95

Drink: 2015-2018

Bottle size: 750 ml

Alcohol: 13.7%

Sweetness: Extra Dry

Wine Type: White Wine


Winery: Chateau Montelena

Agent: Rogers & Company

Natalie's Score: 89/100

Full-bodied with toasted almond and hazelnut and smoke from oak aging. Green apple brightness on the palate with mouth-watering acidity.

Chardonnay food pairings: seared scallops, grilled seafood, stuffed roast chicken.

Sensational Shellfish Wine

This Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2014 was reviewed on May 28, 2016 by Natalie MacLean

More Vintages: 2018  2017  2016  2015  2013 

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Pricing & Stock Information

Reviews and Ratings

Heather Wall - CS; WSET Advanced rated this wine as 92/100 with the following review:

Rich and full-bodied with a perfect amount of bright acidity that keeps this wine from being fat. There are oak influences to be sure but this Napa Chardonnay still maintains it's elegance. Fresh cut apple, tropical fruit and lees are followed by butter, toast, toffee, vanilla and citrus. The finish is lengthy and decadently smooth. Reaching almost 14% abv but not hot. This can be enjoyed over the next 10 years. Happy Father's Day!
Tasted: May 2016
Greg Hughes rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

Drinking this is like indulging in Napa winemaking history. This was one of the wines that began converting popular prejudice about new world wines at the judgement in Paris. Mike Grgich, Montelena's winemaker at the time, went on to establish his own celebrated winery.
This Chardonnay came from a pretty good year (harvested early) and spent 10 months in some heavy duty French oak barrels. This wine is young and has been known to last over a decade. There is no rush, but it is scintilating right now.
Pretty pale/medium lemon colouration and potent aromas. Chardonnay isn't the most forthcoming wine for aromas, but this one smells like green pear, sorrel, and honey jumping out at you. For all of the oak, it carried it well.
You won't notice a big, fat buttery body, if that is what you look for. More of a ruminating toastiness and juiciness.
Excellent taste experience. It's concentrated, structured well (good acidity), and everything is integrated smoothly. The oak is not too much. It's subtle and the fruit show off their complexity well. Lots more pear, baked apple, toasted wood, honey, creme brulee, and lemon juice.
Reputations are earned and built upon. This wine was part of Napa's coming of age. It was a lesson to other new world wine regions, like Australia, New Zealand, and Argentina.
It pairs extremely well now with a salad full of kale, cabbage, dried fruit, and sunflower seeds. It would also work with lobster, pulled pork, or turkey.
Jane Staples - Certified Sommelier rated this wine as 90/100 with the following review:

A full-bodied Napa Chard with butterscotch, ripe tropical fruit and toasted oak throughout, plus banana, lemon/lime and guava on the very rich, creamy palate.
This Californian Chardonnay was featured in the movie Bottle Shock. This 2014 vintage of this Chardonnay from Napa is full-bodied. Montelena has managed to produce a pleasant, balanced Chardonnay. - Community Wine Reviews

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