2012 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay (1.5L)

Bid on this 6-magnum lot of 2012 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay (1.5L) (92VN), from the historic Calistoga estate founded in 1882, whose Chardonnay famously outranked four top white Burgundies at the 1976 “Judgment of Paris.” Sourced from cool south-central Napa Valley vineyards near the base of Mount Veeder, aged 10 months in French oak with only 8% new, and made without malolactic fermentation to keep it bright and fresh, the 2012 comes from a blockbuster Napa vintage of near-perfect ripening weather. Expect white peach, pear, green apple and lemon oil layered with almond, spice and a touch of smoke, with a silky, generous texture balanced by fine acidity and a long, focused finish. A collectible large-format lot from one of America’s most iconic Chardonnay producers, ideal with roast chicken, lobster and seafood.