Chateau Montelena 2009 Napa Valley Chardonnay
Notes of citrus zest and hints of tangerine. About a smooth a Chard as you’ll find. If you’re patient, yummy graham crackers will find their way onto your palate. Not oaky, definitely “zippy” and finishes well. Generally, I pass on Chards, but how can you not buy a bottle of the wine that “started” the buzz about Napa thrusting Northern California onto the world stage.
Retail = $50
(K&S Rating: 5) Buy this one now!
Winemaker Notes: “Pale golden color in the glass, with the faintest hint of green belying its youth, this Chardonnay opens with rich and intense aromas of lemon, lime leaf, citrus flowers, and a touch of honey before moving into spicy pie crust and a hint of mascarpone creaminess – all topped with a nice flinty finish. The citrus trend continues on the palate with a firm acidity and tropical star fruit. This wine has excellent mouthfeel with big full texture and a mouth-coating creaminess that nicely complements the white stone fruit (nectarine and peach) and slight green apple fruit flavors. On the finish, look for a pleasantly subtle marzipan nuttiness.”