Chateau Montelena - Chardonnay2022

WHITE WINE

Background

Leadership is deeply ingrained in our DNA at Chateau Montelena. It drove Jim Barrett as he rehabilitated the winery in the 1970's and continues today in the spirit of innovation, creation, and ingenuity that define the culture here. Our legacy of leadership and stewardship informs how we make decisions both in the vineyard and winery; we're deeply respectful of the past but openly embrace bold ideas as we aim to craft extraordinary wines each year. Thee 2016 Chardonnay embodies that perfectly. While our neighbors were still prepping their crush pads, we were deep in our Chardonnay vineyards tasting the incredible flavor development that just couldn't be seen using routine lab analysis. e result was our recognition of an incredibly tight window to harvest while the sweetness, acidity, and flavors were in perfect balance.

Tasting notes

Nose: All of our wines from the 2016 vintage are incredibly floral and this Chardonnay is no exception. Honeysuckle, jasmine, and apple blossom along with wispy notes of vanilla and lemon balm highlight a harmony of classic Chardonnay aromas.
Palate: Green apple, candied orange peel, and baking spices anchor a panoply of vineyard flavors. Seamlessly interwoven between each is fresh, bright acidity along with incredible minerality and depth that slowly build texture and weight.
Finish: e contrast between silky toast and sweet pear highlights an exceedingly rich finish that will only become more supple and dynamic with age.

Technical data

HARVEST DATES: August 23 – September 12
ALCOHOL: 13.6%
BLEND: 100% Chardonnay
BARREL AGING: 10 months, French oak
BOTTLING DATES: July 17–27, 2017
RELEASE DATE: Fall 2018

Vintage

2016 will be remembered as a classic vintage with consistent temperatures and few extremes. Although yields were low in general, a relatively mild August and September moderated ripening, allowing for uniform maturity and the opportunity for very selective, targeted picks.