Provenance

Private Client

Critics Ratings

'Clean, elegant and flinty, with crisp floral, apple, apple skin and light nutmeg flavors.' - James Laube, Wine Spectator (Mar 2001)

'The 1998 Chardonnay is elegant, steely, and well-made. About 10% of Montelena's Chardonnays are now put through malolactic, and, even more revolutionary, about 10% is now being barrel-fermented in new oak. The wine spends six months in neutral, old barrels prior to bottling. While reserved and tight when compared to some of California's more flamboyant Chardonnays, it does merit considerable interest. A virgin expression of Chardonnay, with abundant quantities of crisp, green apple, tangerine, and pear fruit, this wine reveals good acidity, an elegant yet full-bodied personality, surprising depth, and a reserved, austere palate.' - Robert Parker, Wine Advocate (Dec 2000)

'Complex yet mellow aromas of acacia flower and honey; seems at once higher-pitched and less fruity on the nose than the '97 (in both vintages, very little of this chardonnay went through malolactic fermentation). Then strong but tight in the mouth, with penetrating lemon, apple and pear flavors given shape by strong acids. Not yet complex but still tight with SO2. Barrett does not ferment this wine in barrel or stir the lees in a ripe vintage because he feels the lees would absorb too much of the wine's fresh fruit flavors.' - Stephen Tanzer, Vinous (May 2000)