About This Wine

In 1976, at the now-legendary Judgment of Paris, a blind tasting in France pitted the most prestigious white Burgundies in the world against a then-unknown Napa Valley winery. The shock winner was Château Montelena Chardonnay — a California wine defeating France on its own soil. The result rewrote wine history overnight and put Napa Valley on the global map. Now 50 years later, Montelena is still made at the same estate, in the same restrained, age-worthy style — not a trend-chasing Chardonnay, but the original benchmark that proved America could rival Burgundy.

Château Montelena’s Chardonnay is built around vintage and vineyard expression rather than a fixed “house style,” with winemaking choices aimed at preserving freshness and structure. In the 2022 release notes, the winery emphasizes intent and precision, and details 10 months in French oak (25% new)—a measured approach that supports longevity without masking site character.

Pre-score, but historically a 94–95 point Napa Chardonnay — one of the most consistent high-scoring white wines in the United States.