Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay 2007 Impresses Wine Enthusiasts

The iconic California winery's 2007 vintage chardonnay receives high praise for its balance of flavors and complexity.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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A couple visiting Napa Valley's Chateau Montelena winery last year brought home a bottle of the 2007 vintage Napa Valley Chardonnay, which they recently opened and savored. The wine, known for its history of excellence dating back to the famous Judgment of Paris tasting in 1976, impressed the couple with its restrained yet stunning qualities, including exotic tropical notes, herbal aspects, and a long, creamy finish.

Why it matters

Chateau Montelena's chardonnay has long been considered one of California's premier white wines, with a reputation for quality and consistency that has endured for decades. This positive review of the 2007 vintage highlights the winery's continued commitment to excellence and its ability to produce world-class chardonnay even in challenging vintages.

The details

The 2007 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay was produced with 64% whole cluster pressing, allowing some herbal notes to come through. A portion of the wine was fermented in stainless steel, while another part was given oak treatment. The final wine came in at 13.7% ABV and was priced at $50 per bottle at the winery. The couple who tasted the wine noted its pale straw color, exotic tropical aromas, herbal qualities, and a long, creamy finish with flavors of lemon zest and a hint of banana.

  • The couple purchased the bottle of 2007 Chateau Montelena Chardonnay during a press trip to Napa Valley last year.
  • The couple opened and enjoyed the wine at the end of a tough week.

The players

Chateau Montelena

A renowned winery in Calistoga, California, known for producing world-class chardonnay and cabernet sauvignon. The winery's 1972 chardonnay famously beat out French wines in the historic Judgment of Paris tasting in 1976, establishing its reputation for excellence.

Bo Barrett

The winemaker at Chateau Montelena, responsible for maintaining the high standard of quality for the winery's chardonnay over the years.

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The takeaway

Chateau Montelena's 2007 Napa Valley Chardonnay continues the winery's legacy of producing exceptional, balanced, and complex white wines that showcase the best of California's terroir. This positive review suggests the 2007 vintage is another worthy addition to the winery's celebrated portfolio.