Napa Valley Chardonnay, Château Montelena 2018

The 47th vintage of Montelena Chardonnay. 13.9% abv. The wine is aged in French oak for 10 months. Pale lemon colour with a nose that blends fruit forward, tropical-lined fruit - mango and passion flower together with pure, ripe citrus and a storng note of gun smoke. The palate follows, very bright with a struck match character, the fruit bursts forward in layers of citrus and riper tropical tones. Zesty against a ripe background, the focus is on the fruit. A touch of wood smoke builds to the finish, but it is subtle and well integrated. Silky and long, with crystalline fruit persisting in tandem with spice.