View photos

Chateau Montelena

Napa Valley Chardonnay 2015

Napa Valley, California

Download Listen

Chateau Montelena’s Napa Chardonnay showed that the new world could create classically balanced and complex wines in its own voice, and that from the right sites and with perseverance, the results could equal anything made the world over. Through fads and trends, Montelena has never changed in its philosophy of bringing the sunshine of California in a style that is structured, balanced and age worthy.

In 1976, in what is now memorialized as “The Judgment of Paris”, Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay was the top-ranking wine against four white Burgundies and five other California Chardonnays in a blind tasting with a who’s-who of the french food and wine industry judging. And as they say, the rest is history.

Vineyard

The Chardonnay for the 2015 vintage is sourced from vineyards located in the south-central Napa Valley appellation, near the base of Mt. Veeder and Dry Creek Valley Road on the western bench of the Napa Valley. It has a good north-eastern exposure with a slope of 4-7%. The Haire-Loam soil has a profile very similar to that of the Carneros region, although the climate is slightly warmer. The vineyard site, developed from old ocean terraces and alluvial fans, contains a lot of sedimentary material such as decomposed shale and blue/gray clay. This soil mixture gives moderate drainage and slight acidity. Typically, the Chardonnay has a concentrated floral, green apple aroma and a refreshing and persistent impression on the palate.

Winemaking

The Napa Valley Chardonnay is made of 100% Chardonnay grapes and was aged in 100% French oak barrels for 10 months. Emblematic to the style of the estate, it offers concentrated floral, green apple aromas and a refreshing and persistent impression on the palate.

Vintage

Despite some early, sizable winter storms, the beginning of the 2015 growing season turned mild and dry prompting early budbreak in the vineyards. A light crop, resulting from a rather blustery April and May, soaked up the sun during a picture-perfect Napa Valley summer. Harvesting began in mid-August as the temperatures began to warm and dry-breezes from the desert pressed us into action. The end result is a stunning expression of Chardonnay.

Tasting Note

The ripeness of the vintage is readily apparent as pineapple and stone fruit burst from the glass during the first pour. Fresh melon, along with cinnamon, nutmeg and myriad of baking spices follow suit as the wine begins to warm and its aromatic opulence comes into focus. While the toasty barrel character sets the stage for richness and depth, take the time to enjoy the beautiful interplay between the crisp, fresh orange zest and ginger notes and how they interact with the creaminess and texture from the lees aging. The texture of the mid-palate seamlessly overlays the dense, concentrated finish, punctuated by baked apple, vanilla, and a hint of white pepper.

Food Pairing

This is a totally food friendly wine that can be enjoyed on its own, or as a complement to any number of dishes – especially fresh seafood, shellfish or poultry. The creaminess of a crab salad or lobster roll will cut through the acidity and citrus notes of the wine beautifully.

Color

White

Grape Varieties

Chardonnay

Appellation

Napa Valley, California

Suggested Retail Price

$55.00

Reviews

92

a gorgeous wine

Vinous - August 10, 2018 “…2015 Chardonnay is shaping up to be a gorgeous wine. The warmer vintage has resulted in a slightly richer style of Chardonnay, although the house style built on energy and tension is still very much in evidence. Candied lemon, white flowers and mint are nicely textured. Soft, enveloping and gracious, the 2015 will drink well with minimal cellaring.”

92

Honeyed-pear and melon

Wine Advocate - April 6, 2023 “You'll pay a hefty premium for the extra five years of aging, but the 2015 Chardonnay is showing enticing hints of development in its honeyed pear and melon aromas. It's medium to full-bodied, succulent and silky on the palate, with a long, mouthwatering finish.” - J.C 3/23

More on Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2015

View all

On the Road in Napa Valley: Bo Barrett of Chateau Montelena, November 2018

August 5, 2018 - Antonio Galloni visited Chateau Montelena Master Winemaker Bo Barrett during harvest this year, to get a sense of the growing season in the Calistoga AVA of Napa Valley. He caught…

Trade Materials

View all

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay Bottle Shot

Other Wines by this Producer

View all

Potter Valley Riesling

Mendocino, California

Riesling is a hidden gem within the Chateau Montelena portfolio. Many people don’t know it exists, and once they do – they keep coming back for more. Stylistically, it is amazingly refreshing with notes of lemon blossom, honeysuckle and rose petal that are balanced by lively acidity.

Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley, California

The Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon embodies the balance of Montelena, classic “old-world” structure with ripe California fruit.  It is crafted from fruit coming from the Montelena vineyard and several prime neighboring vineyards, all in the Calistoga AVA. The Montelena Napa Cabernet is a wine that delivers immediate pleasure upon release, but in Montelena style, while age and develop beautifully.

Estate Cabernet Sauvignon

Calistoga, Napa Valley, California

The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is Chateau Montelena’s flagship wine and a quality icon of Napa Valley. The winemaking team works obsessively and passionately with each vintage to capture the best expression of their historic terroir. This is a show-stopper that reveals the perfect blend of flavors, aromas and textures to reach the pinnacle of balance.

Zinfandel

Napa Valley, California

Produced from grapes grown on the Montelena Estate vineyard, the Zinfandel is a classically-structured, subtle and refined wine. More than anything, it hearkens back to the way that Zinfandel was made in the 1960s and 1970s, with completely distinctive, rich and spicy California berry fruit, but a balance that made them no heavier than their Cabernet counterparts.