What do you do when you are one of the most historic and highly-praised wineries in California making some of the best scoring Chardonnays? If you are Mount Eden, then you do it again!
Mount Eden is one of California's first truly boutique wineries. After prohibition, a gentleman by the name of Martin Ray began producing wine from this area using "obscure" grapes such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at a time when inferior grapes were the norm. His wines quickly became known as being some of the best in the state. He then sold that property and purchased a superior site "...just up the hill." That new property is what he named Mount Eden, and it is not uncommon for the Chardonnays to earn 95+ point scores from the critics, and these are some of the best Chardonnays made in California!
The Mount Eden wines show the same amazing qualities found in many of the Grand Crus from Burgundy; minerality, complexity, ripe orchard fruit, but restrained the use of new oak. In addition to their estate wines, they produce a second wine called Domaine Eden. Sourced from a well-maintained vineyard just one mile away from their estate, Mount Eden utilizes the same exacting methods for their estate wines: natural indigenous fermentations - both primary and secondary, French Burgundy barrels, no fining, filtration or any other manipulation. The yields off the Domaine Eden vineyard are equivalent to wines that sell for 2x-3x times this price!
This has been a perennial favorite of Chardonnay drinkers that prefer a more Burgundian-styled wine, and the incredible 2021 vintage is no different. Jeb Dunnuck rated this at 94 points, and says this "overdelivers on its price point" with "oaked pear and hazelnut".
Antonio Gallonis' Vinous Media gave it 93 points and describes this having "Nuances of tangerine peel, spearmint, crushed rocks and clove".
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate scored this at 92 points and notes this wine is "offering terrific value and classically proportioned balance."
Any way you look at it, this is a wine to entice Chardonnay lovers across many styles!
JEB DUNNUCK 94 POINTS - "Made from a mix of 60% Domaine Eden and 40% Mount Eden fruit, the 2021 Chardonnay is always a sophisticated wine that overdelivers on its price point, with fresh floral aromatics leading to a medium-bodied mid-palate of beautifully oaked pear and hazelnut layered in juicy acidity. Ready to drink now, it should age equally well, from now through 2031 at least."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 93 POINTS - "Coming from a plot at 1,600 feet in elevation, the 2021 Chardonnay also includes about 25% declassified fruit from the Mount Eden estate. Spice-laden and taut, a super-enlivening core of vibrant acidity and white pepper bitterness here conveys seriousness. Nuances of tangerine peel, spearmint, crushed rocks and clove emerge on both nose and palate, coasting through the driven, precise finish. Well done."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS - "The 2021 Chardonnay is initially tight on the nose, opening up to reveal flashy aromas of white peach, nectarine and crushed hazelnuts. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, with a charming finish of citrus flavors flanked with toasty richness. It is a solid example of what one can expect from this property year in and year out, offering terrific value and classically proportioned balance."
WINE SPECTATOR 91 POINTS - "Big and bold, with plenty of toast, spice and butterscotch notes up front, plus a core of peach cobbler, poached pear and caramel apple. The plush frame offers a vibrant thread of acidity, keeping the flavors fresh. Drink now. 2,163 cases made."
Mount Eden is one of California's first truly boutique wineries. After prohibition, a gentleman by the name of Martin Ray began producing wine from this area using "obscure" grapes such as Pinot Noir and Chardonnay at a time when inferior grapes were the norm. His wines quickly became known as being some of the best in the state. He then sold that property and purchased a superior site "...just up the hill." That new property is what he named Mount Eden, and it is not uncommon for the Chardonnays to earn 95+ point scores from the critics, and these are some of the best Chardonnays made in California!
The Mount Eden wines show the same amazing qualities found in many of the Grand Crus from Burgundy; minerality, complexity, ripe orchard fruit, but restrained the use of new oak. In addition to their estate wines, they produce a second wine called Domaine Eden. Sourced from a well-maintained vineyard just one mile away from their estate, Mount Eden utilizes the same exacting methods for their estate wines: natural indigenous fermentations - both primary and secondary, French Burgundy barrels, no fining, filtration or any other manipulation. The yields off the Domaine Eden vineyard are equivalent to wines that sell for 2x-3x times this price!
This has been a perennial favorite of Chardonnay drinkers that prefer a more Burgundian-styled wine, and the incredible 2021 vintage is no different. Jeb Dunnuck rated this at 94 points, and says this "overdelivers on its price point" with "oaked pear and hazelnut".
Antonio Gallonis' Vinous Media gave it 93 points and describes this having "Nuances of tangerine peel, spearmint, crushed rocks and clove".
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate scored this at 92 points and notes this wine is "offering terrific value and classically proportioned balance."
Any way you look at it, this is a wine to entice Chardonnay lovers across many styles!
JEB DUNNUCK 94 POINTS - "Made from a mix of 60% Domaine Eden and 40% Mount Eden fruit, the 2021 Chardonnay is always a sophisticated wine that overdelivers on its price point, with fresh floral aromatics leading to a medium-bodied mid-palate of beautifully oaked pear and hazelnut layered in juicy acidity. Ready to drink now, it should age equally well, from now through 2031 at least."
ANTONIO GALLONI'S VINOUS MEDIA 93 POINTS - "Coming from a plot at 1,600 feet in elevation, the 2021 Chardonnay also includes about 25% declassified fruit from the Mount Eden estate. Spice-laden and taut, a super-enlivening core of vibrant acidity and white pepper bitterness here conveys seriousness. Nuances of tangerine peel, spearmint, crushed rocks and clove emerge on both nose and palate, coasting through the driven, precise finish. Well done."
ROBERT PARKER'S WINE ADVOCATE 92 POINTS - "The 2021 Chardonnay is initially tight on the nose, opening up to reveal flashy aromas of white peach, nectarine and crushed hazelnuts. The palate is medium-bodied and fresh, with a charming finish of citrus flavors flanked with toasty richness. It is a solid example of what one can expect from this property year in and year out, offering terrific value and classically proportioned balance."
WINE SPECTATOR 91 POINTS - "Big and bold, with plenty of toast, spice and butterscotch notes up front, plus a core of peach cobbler, poached pear and caramel apple. The plush frame offers a vibrant thread of acidity, keeping the flavors fresh. Drink now. 2,163 cases made."
