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1981 Napa Valley Chardonnay

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Winemaker's Notes
The 1981 vintage began in late August, far earlier than the mid-September norm, and ended only 27 days later.  The combination of a light crop and hot weather caused the abbreviated growing season and contributed greatly to the style and flavor of this wine.

Vintage Weather
Cool variable. Dry year. Extreme heat waves in June but cooler in late summer. One of the shortest growing seasons on record.  Low yields, very concentrated wine. 

Tasting Notes
The 1981 “Napa Valley” Chardonnay is a brilliant straw-gold color that still has the greenish tint of youth.  The nose exhibits the unmistakably pure character of Chardonnay in overtones of citrusy green-apple and spice, along with a hint of oak present under the intense varietal fruit.  On the palate there is a complex range of flavors in a rich full-body.  Good balance and a lingering finish round off nicely and will give it an aging capacity of several years.

At Chateau Montelena, we make our “Napa” Chardonnay to be a subtle and elegant complement to delicate cuisine and in this 1981 vintage offering, you should find the perfect white wine to meet those requirements.

Bo Barrett, Winemaker