In Vinepair’s latest Wine 101 podcast, they highlight Napa Valley, the most prominent wine region in the US. Chateau Montelena is discussed quite a bit, as Tasting Director Keith Beavers outlines Napa’s history and how it gained its reputation as a world class winemaking region. Listeners learn about Montelena’s winning Chardonnay during the 1976 seminal blind tasting event, memorialized as the Judgment of Paris as well as for putting the Calistoga AVA on the map later on. Montelena’s outstanding cabernets and zinfandels are also highlighted. Listen to the full episode HERE
11.05.20-VinePairRelated Wines
Chateau Montelena
Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2018
Napa Valley, California
A true icon. The Napa Valley Chardonnay is the wine that put Chateau Montelena and Napa Valley at the forefront of the wine world in 1976, in what is now memorialized as “The Judgment of Paris.” To great disbelief, the Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay was the top-ranking wine against four white Burgundies and five other California Chardonnays. And as they say, the rest is history.
Chateau Montelena
Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay
Napa Valley, California
Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay combines the best of the old-world structure, acidity and grace, with California ripeness and texture. Having zero malolactic notes and limited oak, this style Chardonnay focuses on the importance of vintage, vineyard, and pure varietal character. The bright acidity builds nuanced complexity for 10-30 years. To showcase the ageability of this wine, the vintage of a half-decade prior is re-released alongside the current vintage.
Chateau Montelena
Chateau Montelena Zinfandel 2016
Calistoga, California
Produced from grapes grown on the Montelena Estate vineyard, the Zinfandel is a classically-structured, subtle and refined wine. Planted in volcanic soil, combined with 10-year-old vines in alluvial soil, this is a stunning wine known for its spicy, ripe berry flavor.
Chateau Montelena
Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
The Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is Chateau Montelena’s flagship wine and a quality icon of Napa Valley. The winemaking team works obsessively and passionately with each vintage to capture the best expression of their historic terroir. This is a show-stopper that reveals the perfect blend of flavors, aromas and textures to reach the pinnacle of balance.
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Chateau Montelena
Calistoga, Napa Valley, California
Chateau Montelena is renowned for consistently producing age-worthy, classically-styled wines that capture the nuances of each vintage and its distinct terroir. Widely known for winning the Judgment of Paris in 1976, it helped put California at the forefront of the wine world. Today, the winery is honored on the National Register of Historic Places and continues to be owned and operated by the Barrett Family.