In the News
Where Can You Buy Older Premium Wines? The Winery That Put Napa on the Map
“As Winemaker Matt Crafton sees it, the business of Chateau Montelena hinges entirely on what ends up in the glass. “We’re real. There’s no oil money here. Every dollar comes from someone pulling a cork, so we have to think about making a delicious bottle.”
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The 50 Best Wines of 2019
“Produced on the 40th anniversary of that historic event, Chateau Montelena’s 2016 Napa Valley Chardonnay shows that the estate is continuing to operate at the highest level. It offers a blueprint for what oaked American Chardonnay should taste like — beyond butter.”
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17 Virtual Wine Tasting Hosted by Vineyards, Experts and Winemakers From Around the World
“Every week, catch winemaker Matt Crafton host Instagram Live sessions, where he’ll lead viewers through virtual tastings, cellar tours, vineyard visits, and more. The winery has also introduced virtual, Chateau Montelena tastings for guests to get the Napa experience from the comforts of home.”
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Wines of the Week and a Tequila to Savor: Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2016 Full Vineyard “Hard Point” 2016, and Casa Noble Single Barrel Extra Anejo
“This wine shines with serious concentration, yet on a frame that never becomes heavy or heavy-handed: I would put this toe to toe with the best of Chablis, no question.”
Read Full ArticleWine of the Week: Champagne Palmer & Co. 2003 and Chateau Montelena 2005
“The Chateau Montelena Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2005, is part of a program that the iconic producer is offering: For each new vintage that Montelena releases, they also will be making available bottles of the vintage from a decade before.”
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The Best White Wines to Drink This Year
“According to Chateau Montelena Winemaker Matt Crafton, even people who don’t generally like sweet wine will enjoy this Riesling. He calls it “slightly off-dry,” with bold flavors of honey, tropical fruit, and a soft mineral finish.”
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Winemaker of the Month: Matt Crafton
Winemaker Matt Crafton is featured as Wine Business Monthly’s Winemaker of the Month.
Read Full ArticleThe 25 Best Cabernet Sauvignons for 2020
“These days Cali Cabs are powerful, but can lack elegance. This wine is up there in price, but is one of the most powerful, yet elegant wines from Napa.”
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How to Pair Wine and Cheese Like an Expert
“Though the style of Chardonnay, which is really fresh, with integrated oak spices and zesty acidity, really lends itself to both the triple cream and comté. The creamy, buttery quality of the Mt Tam seems to imbue the Chardonnay with richer floral, fruit, and mineral qualities is something to enjoy with an aged Chardonnay, like Montelena’s.”
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Wine 101: Here’s How to Decode Those Confusing Labels
“This is a top wine from a storied winery in the U.S. region most famous for cabernet sauvignon. We can expect it to be delicious.”
Read Full ArticleDoing Nothing Isn’t Winemaking, Says This Napa Winemaker
“Adam, Zach, and Matt discuss why Napa Valley remains a vital and vibrant wine region as well as some of the specifics of Matt’s approach to winemaking, and what it’s like being in charge of one of America’s most celebrated wineries.”
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Seven Ways to Enjoy White (Wine) After Labor Day
“From the Napa Valley winery that put California Chardonnay on the map at the 1976 Judgement of Paris, there might not be a finer white wine at a relatively affordable price point than this.”
Read Full Article9 Mini-Bottles of Wine That Make Perfect Last Minute Gifts
“Notes of loam and crushed rock open this terroir-driven Cab from Montelena with an earthy mood, but pretty violet aromas, cassis, and dark chocolate create a bridge to intense ripe berry flavors. There’s an appealing rustic texture here, and great structure.”
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Gift Guide:
Eat, Drink + Be Merry
“This expressive Cabernet Sauvignon from Calistoga, Napa Valley boasts notes of dried cherries, baking spices, and espresso beans on first open. A lovely wine to share over the colder months, it’s rich and full-bodied.”
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The Best Bottles of Wine and Champagne to Bring to Any Holiday Party
“Not a chardonnay drinker yourself and unsure what to get someone who is? Turn your attention to the 2017 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay.”
Read Full ArticleWhat to Buy From Napa Valley’s ‘Open the Cellar’ Sale, According to Our Wine Editor
“The current vintage of this classic Napa producer’s estate Cabernet runs $175, so picking up a bottle with 17 years of age on it for $75 bucks more is well worth the additional money.”
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