2001 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay Napa Valley
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Tasting notes
Frost year, then hot weather in flowering. Balance was difficult to achieve. Magnum. Deep yellow straw. Pretty sweet and pear juicy. Quite a bit of sweetness as well as (added?) acid. Rather a hot finish but it is concentrated. Quite a chewy end but certainly not past it. (JR)
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Robert Parker
Robert Parker
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The Chardonnay is as good as this estate can achieve. It is a grand cru California Chablis-styled offering with loads of acidity, outstanding depth, and a steely, crisp personality. Tel. (707) 942-5105; Fax (707) 942-4221
The 2001 Chardonnay offers up gorgeously fresh citrus oil notes intermixed with a striking steely minerality, medium to full body, and a long, layered, backward finish displaying vibrant acidity yet loads of subtle, crisp flavors. While some vintages of these Chardonnays can last for 10-15 years without any sign of oxidation, the 2001 will drink well for 5-8 years. Along with Ric Foreman, there is no greater practitioner of the non-malolactic style of Chardonnay than Jim and Bo Barrett. They produce 10,000-11,000 cases of a non-malolactic, realistically priced Chardonnay ($30+ a bottle). Since 2000, they have moved to whole cluster pressing, which has generated more texture and perfume. These Chardonnays no longer have to be fined prior to bottling (they are sterile filtered since they do not go through malolactic). Tel. (707) 942-5105; Fax (707) 942-4221
About the producer
Chateau Montelena is a historic Napa Valley estate that rose to global fame after its 1973 Chardonnay won the 1976 Judgment of Paris. Renowned for both its Chardonnay and Estate Cabernet Sauvignon, the winery continues to produce elegant, age-worthy wines with a legacy of excellence.