Chateau Montelena dinner with owner Bo Barrett – Friday 6th March (EA)
Napa Valley winery Chateau Montelena rose to fame at the historic Judgment of Paris tasting in 1976, when its 1973 Chardonnay outshone an illustrious line-up of white Burgundies. The result not only stunned the wine world, and irrevocably altered perceptions of Californian wine, but helped cement the place of Napa Valley – and Chateau Montelena – on the world stage.
Over the subsequent half-century, the Chardonnay has remained a benchmark, more akin to a grand cru Chablis than a typical Californian rendering. But the Barrett family – owners and chief winemakers for two generations – have long considered their reds to be their greatest strength, in particular the silky, polished Cabernet Sauvignon, supported as it is by mellow barrel tones.
Today, the estate is led by the charismatic Bo Barrett, who took over from his father Jim and carries the family legacy forward with energy, conviction and a trademark sense of humour. Describing himself as one of the last ‘no voodoo’ winemakers, Bo resists the modern tendency to overcomplicate, preferring a philosophy rooted in restraint and respect for nature. As a result, Chateau Montelena occupies a rare position in Napa Valley: a producer defined not by fashion or excess, but by balance, restraint and an unwavering sense of place.
In this, the 50th anniversary year of the Judgment of Paris tasting, we are thrilled to welcome Bo to the club, alongside long-standing winemaker Matt Crafton, to host a dinner looking back over the years, punctuated by standout wines from an array of vintages.
The wines we’ll be enjoying:
2023 Sauvignon Blanc, Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley
2022 Chardonnay, Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley
2020 50th Anniversary Chardonnay, Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley
2014 Chardonnay, Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley
2021 Zinfandel, Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley
2017 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley
2006 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley
2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, Chateau Montelena, Napa Valley
The menu:
Starter
Coquille Saint-Jacques
Main
Slow-cooked beef short rib, salt-baked beetroot, pickled onion & bacon jam
Dessert
Paxton & Whitfield cheeses with onion chutney, grapes & crackers
Please email [email protected] if you have any requests as regards seating arrangements and for any dietary requirements.
Friday 6th March
St James’s Room
18:30 – Champagne on arrival
19:00 – Dinner starts
22:30 – Dinner ends
Please note, tickets are refundable for cancellations up to 5 business days before the event. Cancellations must be made in writing to [email protected]. Any cancellations within 5 business days of the event are non-refundable unless 67 Pall Mall resells the ticket to another Member. This is only possible when the event is sold out and there is a waiting list.
Please note that once your order is placed, your ticket status will display as “processing” until after the event, when your member account is then charged. You will receive an email confirmation after ordering your tickets, stating that your order is being processed – please take this as full confirmation that your booking has been finalised. For any questions, please reach out to [email protected].
Out of stock