Medium gold color. The aromas are intense and intricate, featuring bosc pear, kumquat, conifer, and alpine flowers. The texture is incredible, voluptuous but light, thinly coating the mouth with what seems like just a few atoms of glycerine. The flavors mimic the aromas, more kumquat and tangerine than pear, with the floral character framing the wine like a border of the finest lace filigree. Even the first sip, a little too cold, has a finish lasting over half a minute. The balance and harmony are near perfection, with beautiful tension between plump ripeness and refreshing acidity. Rated 98. I can’t think that this will improve, but can’t imagine it fading for at least five years. A complete glory.
Prices have crept up, but it is still a justifiable splurge. Wonderful terroir and winemaking. I still have a few oldies sitting around for experimentation. Sadly, I have stopped stocking on new vintages because the local market tends to have the Domain Eden in abundance, but a paucity of the Mount Eden Estate. That’s a nice wine too, but I do have a soft spot for the original estate.
I have a magnum of this to drink on one of my milestone anniversaries - was thinking either 2025 or 2030. Sounds like from your note maybe 2025 would be a safer choice.
We did an '80s retrospective tasting a decade or so ago. To me, the early '80s were past their prime (but still enjoyable) and the late '80s were too young. There was a clear delineation. Half the table preferred the older ones! I think late '80s are representative of Jeff’s style. Haven’t had a '90s or later that was close to OTH. But, at 15 years out they’re always singing.
They make some amazing wines in Santa Cruz, and I have always thought that its best wines are every bit as good as the best of Napa. Can’t talk of the longevity of Mount Eden Chardonnays, as the oldest one I have tasted was the 2006, and with ten years of bottle age, it was very good.
I have however tasted Ridge Monte Bello Chardonnay from 1973 and 1974 which were both exquisite and seemed to have reached a plateau of maturity with no sign of fading.
An exceptional wine that I love and have been drinking off and on for two decades.
I generally check in on these starting at 5 years of age, and go from there based on what I experience. Had a wonderful bottle of 2013 the other night, though it was a bit more advanced at age 7 than I would have expected so I may be a bit more aggressive in consuming this vintage than others.
2010 Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains - USA, California, San Francisco Bay, Santa Cruz Mountains (6/30/2014)
Worldwide Whites (Edina Country Club, MN): Needs some time in the cellar and should improve. Lemon, mineral, oak and spices. Medium plus finish. A little off balance and hopefully the oak will subside. Hold till 2017. (92 points)
Great note. Had this in 14.
Looks like the oak has subsided. Sounds like drink me now!
These guys never get enough credit. one of the very best chardonnay producers in the country who has stayed true to their core and has has kept price increases minimal.
I had a 2007 Cabernet from them a couple weeks back that was mind blowing. The best 07 i have had in recent memory (unfortunately i am heavy on 2007 Napa and keep opening up disappointment after disappointment)…
When you say the 2013 was a little more advanced, do you mean just color or also aromas and flavors? I find that Mount Eden Chardonnays pick up color faster than top Burgundy used to and also faster than other top California Chardonnays, but that this does not affect aromas, flavors or longevity.
Enjoying a terrific bottle of the 2010 Mount Eden Estate Chardonnay tonight. For my money, this is a great chard and right up there at the very top of the New World white pantheon. It may have shed some richness over the years, but this is still fresh as a daisy and filled with lemony energy. A touch of pear on the nose is the only overt ripeness here but this still has a layered depth of lemon oil and body that gives it heft. Terrific and probably at point.