On the heels of Nick’s recent Top 5 Whites for the summer, I have to bring the 2010 Montelena Chardonnay to your attention. We just received this, so let’s include this one as a top summer selection and grow Nick’s list to 6!
This chardonnay deserves to stand right beside the potentially more well known reds from Montelena.
Antonio Galloni began his review stating the wine is “gorgeous.” I think this is the perfect descriptor. It’s citrusy (grapefruit, lemon zest) and floral with the crispness I like in a chardonnay. There isn’t a lot of oak in this wine, but it still maintains solid body. With only subtle oak (and not overdone with oiliness) along with some mineral-like elements that I noticed closer to the finish, this is a California chardonnay that potentially could be mistaken for an excellent white Burgundy in a blind tasting…without a white Burgundy price!
Wine Spectator called it “fresh and snappy.”
Montelena is a quintessential and massively adored California producer best known for the aforementioned cabernet. This chardonnay, fermented in steel and aged in oak, clearly proves they deliver white wine every bit as well as those popular reds. Winemaker Bo Barrett has made it clear he is making wine to be paired with food based on this wine’s style.
Food pairing:
Crab, lobster, or light-medium fish is perfect for this wine. Chicken and turkey will work well with it too.
Music pairing:
She & Him – Volume 3
I promise that the music team of Zooey Deschanel and Matt Ward, a great meal including something from above, and this superb bottle of 2010 Montelena Chardonnay will treat you right-and you’ll want to repeat it. I did.
I truly enjoyed this 2010 Montelena Chardonnay (92 Points-Wine Advocate/$42.99), and it definitely is perfect for summer, which unofficially begins in just a few days. I encourage you to grab some now before it’s gone. We received a limited allocation.