Rating 98
Style White
Variety
Vintage 2022
Appellation
Napa County
North Coast
California
USA
ABV 13.8%
Price $75.00  Buy This Wine
Print Shelf Talker
Reviewed By
Reviewed 2025-05-06

Perfect For

Dinner With The Parents, Holiday Meals, Treat Yo'self

Drink If You Like

Chardonnay, Chenin Blanc , Picpoul

Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2022 Review

There are a few key moments in the history of American wine. One of those moments took place in Paris in 1976 when wines from California were judged against their French counterparts and came out on top. Chateau Montelena was the winning Chardonnay in the event that came to be known as the Judgement of Paris, forever cementing this wine in our country’s history. To this day, the wine presents with quality, texture, elegance, and verve. This vintage opens with creamy notes of butter and brie on the nose. It’s rich and focused with lemon curd, orchard fruit, and white peppercorns on the palate. The mouthfeel is almost perfect with blousy medium fruit lifted by refreshing natural acidity. An American classic.

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98
POINTS
Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2022
There are a few key moments in the history of American wine. One of those moments took place in Paris in 1976 when wines from California were judged against their French counterparts and came out on top. Chateau Montelena was the winning Chardonnay in the event that came to be known as the Judgement of Paris, forever cementing this wine in our country’s history. To this day, the wine presents with quality, texture, elegance, and verve. This vintage opens with creamy notes of butter and brie on the nose. It’s rich and focused with lemon curd, orchard fruit, and white peppercorns on the palate. The mouthfeel is almost perfect with blousy medium fruit lifted by refreshing natural acidity. An American classic.

Reviewed On: 05-06-2025
98
POINTS
Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2022
There are a few key moments in the history of American wine. One of those moments took place in Paris in 1976 when wines from California were judged against their French counterparts and came out on top. Chateau Montelena was the winning Chardonnay in the event that came to be known as the Judgement of Paris, forever cementing this wine in our country’s history. To this day, the wine presents with quality, texture, elegance, and verve. This vintage opens with creamy notes of butter and brie on the nose. It’s rich and focused with lemon curd, orchard fruit, and white peppercorns on the palate. The mouthfeel is almost perfect with blousy medium fruit lifted by refreshing natural acidity. An American classic.

Reviewed On: 05-06-2025