Chateau Montelena Napa Chardonnay 2020

The 2020 Chardonnay was released in October 2022. As usual, it's a non-malolactic fermentation wine, matured in a relatively small proportion of new French oak, and so it reveals hints of apple, tangerine and lime on the nose. Medium to full-bodied, it's sappy, a bit linear and vibrant on the palate, finishing crisp and long. I've capped the aging estimate at a decade, but past vintages have aged successfully for 20 years or more, depending on your preferences. Drink: 2023~2030 - WA93

NOSE

Bright gold in the glass, the wine opens with green apple, honeysuckle and orange blossom. The citrus in particular seems to be most evident, as lime leaf and lemon Zest at this stage.  This vintage was more classic rather than overly ripe, so it's not surprising.  There's a hint of fresh wood and vanilla as well, adding some nuance without overshadowing the beautiful floral character.

PALATE

The parade of citrus marches on, although the midpalate turns more tropical with starfruit and pineapple. And while there's still plenty of green apple, the texture and juiciness of Asian pear adds complexity and depth.  The acid is consistent and wines its way through the profile, lifting the texture and balancing the suppleness from barrel.  This will be a long-lived wine.

FINISH

The transition to the finish is still somewhat abrupt due to the wine's yough and dynamism.  This will change over time.  But here, the character is domincated by lemon curd and pie crust, along with chalk and fresh apricot.  The acid is still muthwatering, although it has mellowed somewhat.  Despite its young age, the overal length of this Chardonnay is impressive.  - Winemaker's Notes