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For almost 20 years, the Chateau Montelena team has farmed most of their own Chardonnay vineyards, making every decision from pruning to harvest. It’s a real winemaking-in-the-vineyard approach. This is a vineyard-oriented winery that argues that a skilled team can maneuver the challenges that distinguish good years from bad by decoding the soil, vineyard, and region through the lens of the fruit. While it may be all about creativity and perspective, there are undeniably details and nuance that set each growing season apart and make certain vintages special.
It’s an unfined, unfiltered Chardonnay, aged ten months in French oak. It remains true to the finely-balanced Montelena style: pure fruit flavours, no malolactic fermentation, little-if-any yeast stirring, and judicious use of new oak.
The nose is dominated by ripe peach, pear, and cloves, with subtle floral honeysuckle notes. There’s a nice fullness and weight to the focused palate, punctuated by melon, green apple, fresh citrus, and a hint of vanilla. The wine’s density is readily apparent, and the creamy texture lingers on the finish.
“Chateau Montelena’s 2018 Chardonnay is bright and finely sculpted, with terrific energy driving the citrus and floral flavors. Blocking malolactic fermentation keeps the flavors brisk. This cool site in Oak Knoll suits the Montelena style very nicely. Readers who enjoy focused Chardonnays will find plenty to like. This is an especially fine vintage for the Montelena Chardonnay.”
92 points, Antonio Galloni, vinous.com, Jan 2020
