Taste the best from the producers that helped make California wine country famous.

This lot includes one bottle each of:

• 2013 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay


• 2014 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay


• 2010 Veedercrest Ruhl Vineyard Chardonnay

All of these wineries participated in the 1976 Steven Spurrier blind tasting (now known as "the Judgment of Paris") that showed California's wines could compete with the best of France.

Chateau Montelena took first in the Chardonnay category.

These wines continue to earn critical acclaim, including 92 points from Vinous for the 2013 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay. Vinous writes:

"The just-bottled 2013 Chardonnay is vibrant and fresh, with a little more cut than is typically the case, the result of a year in which acidities are higher. Lemon peel, white flowers and crushed rocks are wonderfully expressive in this finely-sculpted Chardonnay from Montelena. There is plenty to look forward to here."

Alongside the wine, you'll receive a book and a DVD that describe the events leading up to the Judgment of Paris:

• Judgment of Paris: California vs. France and the Historic 1976 Paris Tasting That Revolutionized Wine, by George M. Tabor


• Bottle Shock (2008), starring Alan Rickman and Bill Pullman

Winemaker notes follow.

2013 Chateau Montelena Napa Valley Chardonnay

Nose: In the glass, the aromatics lean toward the floral and citrus families with rose petals, lemon blossom, and just a hint of ripe melon sneaking through.

Palate: While the palate is opulent, full of lemon meringue, peach pie, and ripe strawberry, the vibrancy of the acidity reliably lays the foundation for food pairing and aging for many years to come.

Finish: In classic Montelena fashion, the minerality steps into the spotlight on the finish, coupled with just enough orange zest, and the lingering richness of crème brûlée.

2014 Freemark Abbey Chardonnay

Light greenish straw in color, our chardonnay expresses fruit aroma of pear, apple, white peach, ripe banana, kiwi, lemon-lime and tropical fruits. Adding to the complexity, the oak aging is fairly integrated adding spice, like nutmeg, toast, slight aromatic cedar and the nuance of angel food cake or marshmallow. This wine has great viscosity, depth and an intriguing long finish. The flavors are lively on the palate with pear, citrus, lemon-lime, green apple and fleshy peach. This wine shows great complexity, creaminess, and elegance to compliment many foods.

2010 Veedercrest Ruhl Vineyard Chardonnay

This Chardonnay is made specifically for those who love to hate California Chardonnay. Made in the style of the great Chardonnays of the Piemonte region of Italy and the Chablis region of France. It is more characteristic of a Sauvignon Blanc but truly 100% Chardonnay. Veedercrest was recognized at the 1976 Judgment of Paris tasting for making the most French style Chardonnay of all the Chardonnays entered in the tasting, and we still make it the same way.

This wine is crisp and acidic, with pineapple, pear, mango and lemon flavors. Also present are hints of cardamom, kaffir, and baked apple. It is lean and elegant and can easily be paired with oysters, cracked crab, filet of sole Veronique or any dish with a cream sauce. Veal ala Normande anyone?