This product is no longer available. Please choose another vintage above.
Chateau Montelena - Riesling 2013
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
"Bright and pale gold in color, this Riesling shows a rich collection of floral and fruit aromas ranging from honeysuckle and citrus blossom to charentais melon, banana, apricot and mandarin orange. The palate entry is smooth and juicy with good weight and balanced acid throughout. Fruit-driven flavors of citrus, apricot, pear and tropical star fruit are complemented by notes of clove, allspice and freshly baked bread. These all lead to a fresh, crisp, and mouthwatering finish that will keep you coming back for another sip."
Vinification
The riesling is fermented entirely in stainless steel using three different yeast strains, at cool temperatures of 55-60 Fahrenheit. The wine is then racked on fine lees and is matured in a combination of neutral barrels and stainless steel.
Vintage
2013, much like 2012, was a wonderful year for cultivating Riesling. With a warm, even growing season free of any challenging weather, our grower in Potter Valley once again delivered excellent quality fruit. The warm and dry spring caused the buds to push earlier than usual, which worked in our favor as it allowed for a longer-than-average growing season that resulted in great flavor development. This vineyard site, combined with cellar practices that have been fine-tuned over 42 years, yields a delicate and beautifully balanced wine that is loaded with nuance.
Wine
Many years ago, Chateau Montelena selected a certified organic vineyard in the Coastal Mendocino Mountains from which, even today it sources the fruit for the Potter Valley Riesling. The basic winemaking truth-"The Right Grape in the Right Place"- drove that decision then, and it is every bit as valid now. The Riesling grape is a noble variety that requires moderate days and cool nights to allow proper ripening and mature flavor development.
