Chardonnay

Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2020

Vintage
2020
Size
750ml
Type
White
Alcohol
13.9%
Varietal
Chardonnay
Grapes
Chardonnay
Winery
Chateau Montelena
Region
California
Country
United States
  • Collectible
94 AVG
Cellar for up to 14 years. Serve chilled.

The Chateau Montelena Chardonnay is one of the world’s most famous white wines thanks to the Judgement of Paris wine competition in 1976 which helped put the estate on the map. The competition pitted top wines from Burgundy against wines from California which were all tasted blind by the panel of French wine experts. To the surprise of the world, the judges selected the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay as the best white wine, placing it ahead of many famous white Burgundies.

Despite winning this competition, the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay has remained remarkably affordable and still offers exceptional value for money for those looking for an alternative to expensive white Burgundies. Following vinification the young wine is aged in French oak barrels for 10 months to add extra complexity and depth.

On the nose there are intense hints of white peaches, green apples and lemon zest while the first sip reveals a generous full body, soft tannins, and rich tropical fruit flavours which linger long on the tongue. There are delicious hints of sweet spices, smoke, and toast from the oak ageing. This is a wine that is delicious to drink now, although it can also be cellared for at least another decade for those that have the patience to wait.
Description
Cellar for up to 14 years. Serve chilled.

The Chateau Montelena Chardonnay is one of the world’s most famous white wines thanks to the Judgement of Paris wine competition in 1976 which helped put the estate on the map. The competition pitted top wines from Burgundy against wines from California which were all tasted blind by the panel of French wine experts. To the surprise of the world, the judges selected the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay as the best white wine, placing it ahead of many famous white Burgundies.

Despite winning this competition, the Chateau Montelena Chardonnay has remained remarkably affordable and still offers exceptional value for money for those looking for an alternative to expensive white Burgundies. Following vinification the young wine is aged in French oak barrels for 10 months to add extra complexity and depth.

On the nose there are intense hints of white peaches, green apples and lemon zest while the first sip reveals a generous full body, soft tannins, and rich tropical fruit flavours which linger long on the tongue. There are delicious hints of sweet spices, smoke, and toast from the oak ageing. This is a wine that is delicious to drink now, although it can also be cellared for at least another decade for those that have the patience to wait.
  • UPS Express Shipping option available at the checkout
  • Add gift options at the checkout
 
More from this winery
Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2021
Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2021
  • 2021
  • White
  • 13.9%
Vintage
2021
Size
750ml
Type
White
Alcohol
13.9%
Varietal
Chardonnay
Grapes
Chardonnay
Winery
Chateau Montelena
Region
California
Country
United States
94 AVG
Chateau Montelena Zinfandel 2019
Chateau Montelena Zinfandel 2019
  • 2019
  • Red
  • 14.4%
Vintage
2019
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14.4%
Varietal
Zinfandel
Grapes
Zinfandel
Winery
Chateau Montelena
Region
California
Country
United States
93 AVG
More from this region
Titus Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Titus Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
  • 2020
  • Red
  • 14.5%
Vintage
2020
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14.5%
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery
Titus
Region
California
Country
United States
94 AVG
Shafer One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Shafer One Point Five Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
  • 2019
  • Red
  • 15.1%
Vintage
2019
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
15.1%
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery
Shafer
Region
California
Country
United States
95 AVG
Our Lady of Guadalupe OLG Pinot Noir 2022
Our Lady of Guadalupe OLG Pinot Noir 2022
  • 2022
  • Red
  • 14.8%
Vintage
2022
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14.8%
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Grapes
Pinot Noir
Winery
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Region
California
Country
United States
96 AVG
Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Pinot Noir 2022
Belle Glos Clark & Telephone Pinot Noir 2022
  • 2022
  • Red
  • 14.5%
Vintage
2022
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14.5%
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Grapes
Pinot Noir
Winery
Belle Glos
Region
California
Country
United States
94 AVG
Artezin Zinfandel 2020
Artezin Zinfandel 2020
  • 2020
  • Red
  • 14.5%
Vintage
2020
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14.5%
Varietal
Zinfandel
Grapes
Zinfandel
Winery
Artezin
Region
California
Country
United States
92 AVG
The Crane Assembly Disciples 2019
The Crane Assembly Disciples 2019
  • 2019
  • Red
  • 15.5%
Vintage
2019
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
15.5%
Varietal
Zinfandel
Grapes
76% Zinfandel, Charbono, Grenashe, Petite Sirah
Winery
The Crane Assembly
Region
California
Country
United States
93 AVG
Orin Swift 8 Years In The Desert 2021
Orin Swift 8 Years In The Desert 2021
  • 2021
  • Red
  • 16.1%
Vintage
2021
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
16.1%
Varietal
Zinfandel
Grapes
Zinfandel, Petite Sirah, Syrah
Winery
Orin Swift
Region
California
Country
United States
93 AVG
Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Mayacamas Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
  • 2018
  • Red
  • 13.8%
Vintage
2018
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
13.8%
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery
Mayacamas
Region
California
Country
United States
96 AVG
Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Far Niente Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
  • 2019
  • Red
  • 14.5%
Vintage
2019
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14.5%
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery
Far Niente
Region
California
Country
United States
96 AVG
St. Supery Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
St. Supery Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
  • 2021
  • Red
  • 14.5%
Vintage
2021
Size
750ml
Type
Red
Alcohol
14.5%
Varietal
Cabernet Sauvignon
Grapes
Cabernet Sauvignon
Winery
St.Supery
Region
California
Country
United States
94 AVG
More from this varietal
Staglin Salus Estate Chardonnay 2021
Staglin Salus Estate Chardonnay 2021
  • 2021
  • White
  • 13%
Vintage
2021
Size
750ml
Type
White
Alcohol
13%
Varietal
Chardonnay
Grapes
Chardonnay
Winery
Staglin
Region
California
Country
United States
95 AVG
Jean Bouchard Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons 2021
Jean Bouchard Chablis Premier Cru Vaillons 2021
  • 2021
  • White
  • 12.5%
Vintage
2021
Size
750ml
Type
White
Alcohol
12.5%
Varietal
Chardonnay
Grapes
Chardonnay
Winery
Albert Bichot
Region
Burgundy
Country
France
93 AVG
Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay 2023
Kumeu River Coddington Chardonnay 2023
  • 2023
  • White
  • 12.5%
Vintage
2023
Size
750ml
Type
White
Alcohol
12.5%
Varietal
Chardonnay
Grapes
Chardonnay
Winery
Kumeu River
Region
Auckland
Country
New Zealand
95 AVG
Blank Canvas Reed Chardonnay 2022
Blank Canvas Reed Chardonnay 2022
  • 2022
  • White
  • 13.5%
Vintage
2022
Size
750ml
Type
White
Alcohol
13.5%
Varietal
Chardonnay
Grapes
Chardonnay
Winery
Blank Canvas
Region
Marlborough
Country
New Zealand
94 AVG
Domaine des Clos Chablis Premier Cru Les Vaillons 2019
Domaine des Clos Chablis Premier Cru Les Vaillons 2019
  • 2019
  • White
  • 12.5%
Vintage
2019
Size
750ml
Type
White
Alcohol
12.5%
Varietal
Chardonnay
Grapes
Chardonnay
Winery
Domaine des Clos
Region
Burgundy
Country
France
93 AVG
Hess Napa Valley Chardonnay 2021
Hess Napa Valley Chardonnay 2021
  • 2021
  • White
  • 14%
Vintage
2021
Size
750ml
Type
White
Alcohol
14%
Varietal
Chardonnay
Grapes
Chardonnay
Winery
Hess Collection
Region
California
Country
United States
92 AVG
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis Premier Cru Vaillon 2011
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix Chablis Premier Cru Vaillon 2011
  • 2011
  • White
  • 13%
Vintage
2011
Size
750ml
Type
White
Alcohol
13%
Varietal
Chardonnay
Grapes
Chardonnay
Winery
Domaine Daniel-Etienne Defaix
Region
Burgundy
Country
France
93 AVG
Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2019
Penfolds Reserve Bin A Chardonnay 2019
  • 2019
  • White
  • 13.6%
Vintage
2019
Size
750ml
Type
White
Alcohol
13.6%
Varietal
Chardonnay
Grapes
Chardonnay
Winery
Penfolds
Region
South Australia
Country
Australia
95 AVG
Duckhorn Decoy Chardonnay 2022
Duckhorn Decoy Chardonnay 2022
  • 2022
  • White
  • 13.5%
Vintage
2022
Size
750ml
Type
White
Alcohol
13.5%
Varietal
Chardonnay
Grapes
Chardonnay
Winery
Duckhorn
Region
California
Country
United States
92 AVG
Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Chardonnay 2018
Stonestreet Estate Vineyards Chardonnay 2018
  • 2018
  • White
  • 14.3%
Vintage
2018
Size
750ml
Type
White
Alcohol
14.3%
Varietal
Chardonnay
Grapes
Chardonnay
Winery
Stonestreet
Region
California
Country
United States
93 AVG