2019 Mount Eden Vineyards, Estate Chardonnay, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, USA
Critics reviews
The 2019 Chardonnay Estate was aged on its lees for ten months in 60% new French oak. Rich and golden in colour, it displays a classic Mount Eden nose of honey, cultured cream, toasted almonds, fresh flowers and herbs. A round, rich, creamy frame on the palate is outlined by soft but refreshing acidity, leading to a confectionary finish. While still in need of some integration, this is a prime example of one of the most consistent Chardonnays in California.
Drink 2021 - 2031
Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate (April 2024)
About this WINE
Mount Eden Vineyards
Mount Eden Vineyards, nestled high in the Santa Cruz Mountains, is one of California’s most historic wineries. Founded in 1945, this boutique estate is renowned for producing world-class Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The vineyard’s unique terroir, characterised by rocky soils and a cool, maritime climate, allows for cultivating low-yielding vines that produce wines of exceptional depth and complexity.
The estate’s commitment to sustainable farming and traditional winemaking techniques has solidified its place among the elite wineries in California. Winemaker Jeffrey Patterson, who has been at the helm since 1981, focuses on minimal intervention in the cellar, allowing the true expression of the vineyard’s terroir to shine through in each bottle.
Santa Cruz Mountains
The Santa Cruz Mountains AVA is a Viticultural Area that is based around the Santa Cruz Mountains in California. The appellation enjoys a large diveristy of micro-climates, affected by the mountain topography, the Pacific Ocean, and the nearby San Francisco Bay.
The wine appellation encompasses 1,500 acres of vineyards, dominated by mainly Pinot noir, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, with more smaller blocks of Cabernet Franc, Carignane, Dolcetto, Grenache, Malbec, Malvasia, Merlot, Mondeuse, Mourvedre, Nebbiolo, Petit Verdot, Petite Sirah, Sangiovese, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, Viognier, Zinfandel.
Notable wineries in the appellation include: Bonny Doon Vineyard, Ridge Vineyards , Neely
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is often seen as the king of white wine grapes and one of the most widely planted in the world It is suited to a wide variety of soils, though it excels in soils with a high limestone content as found in Champagne, Chablis, and the Côte D`Or.
Burgundy is Chardonnay's spiritual home and the best White Burgundies are dry, rich, honeyed wines with marvellous poise, elegance and balance. They are unquestionably the finest dry white wines in the world. Chardonnay plays a crucial role in the Champagne blend, providing structure and finesse, and is the sole grape in Blanc de Blancs.
It is quantitatively important in California and Australia, is widely planted in Chile and South Africa, and is the second most widely planted grape in New Zealand. In warm climates Chardonnay has a tendency to develop very high sugar levels during the final stages of ripening and this can occur at the expense of acidity. Late picking is a common problem and can result in blowsy and flabby wines that lack structure and definition.
Recently in the New World, we have seen a move towards more elegant, better- balanced and less oak-driven Chardonnays, and this is to be welcomed.
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Description
The 2019 Chardonnay Estate was aged on its lees for ten months in 60% new French oak. Rich and golden in colour, it displays a classic Mount Eden nose of honey, cultured cream, toasted almonds, fresh flowers and herbs. A round, rich, creamy frame on the palate is outlined by soft but refreshing acidity, leading to a confectionary finish. While still in need of some integration, this is a prime example of one of the most consistent Chardonnays in California.
Drink 2021 - 2031
Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate (April 2024)
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