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Chateau Montelena - Chardonnay 2012
- Producer Chateau Montelena
- Country USA
- Region California
- Appellation Napa Valley
- UPC 7 33555 35122 7
Estate
Chateau Montelena's rich history began on a chilly fall morning when Alfred L. Tubbs spaded over and inspected the soil where he thought of planting estate vineyards. He'd heard the Napa Valley was the best place to grow grapes in California. A deal was struck and in January of 1882 the San Francisco
entrepreneur owned 254 acres of rugged land just two miles north of Calistoga at the base of Mount Saint Helena. The soils are well drained, stony and loose – perfect for the vine cuttings he would plant.
Tasting notes
"In the glass, the 2012 Chardonnay bursts with aromas of ripe peach, green apple, and honey dew. Next come a touch of vanilla, lavender and orange blossom, with an underlying note of star jasmine. The concentration of the wine is evident on the palate: the rich viscosity is cut by bright acid and layers of kiwi, grapefruit, and soft minerality. The finish is pure bliss with a touch of sweet oak and lemon curd that just doesn’t quit."
Vineyard
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.
Vinification
The wine was aged in 100% French oak barrels, 8% new, for 10 months.
Vintage
2012 delivered a perfect growing season and a bumper crop to boot. More than anything else, the sunshire was welcomed. The 2012 will be remembered as a blockbuster vintage. There were no frost events, brutal heat spikes, drying wines, or excessive rains. Just the perfect Napa Valley ripening weather.
Wine
The source for Chateau Montelena's Chardonnay is 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.
