What do you do when you are one of the most historic, 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 use of new oak. In addition to their estate vineyards, they purchase a small amount of grapes from Edna Valley, a cool-climate region in California's Central Coast. Edna Valley has one of the longest growing seasons in the world, which slows ripening and helps to develop great nuances of flavor while retaining its elegant nature. This particular vineyard is the oldest in the Edna Valley, and yields are equivalent to those whose wines are 2x-3x times this price! Mount Eden makes this wine in essentially the same manner as their estate fruit; grapes are pressed without crushing, and barrel fermented in French Burgundy barrels.
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS - "Coming from the Wolff Vineyard in the coastal appellation, the 2023 Chardonnay offers outstanding value, balanced in acidity and medium-bodied weight, with a softness to the palate that has wide appeal. The producer has been making this wine since 1985, barrel-fermenting over eight months in all French oak, 20% new. There’s a wealth of stone and tropical fruit that gives it an instant likeability and easy introduction, while not shirking on complexity or depth. Drink now through 2033."
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 use of new oak. In addition to their estate vineyards, they purchase a small amount of grapes from Edna Valley, a cool-climate region in California's Central Coast. Edna Valley has one of the longest growing seasons in the world, which slows ripening and helps to develop great nuances of flavor while retaining its elegant nature. This particular vineyard is the oldest in the Edna Valley, and yields are equivalent to those whose wines are 2x-3x times this price! Mount Eden makes this wine in essentially the same manner as their estate fruit; grapes are pressed without crushing, and barrel fermented in French Burgundy barrels.
JEB DUNNUCK 93 POINTS - "Coming from the Wolff Vineyard in the coastal appellation, the 2023 Chardonnay offers outstanding value, balanced in acidity and medium-bodied weight, with a softness to the palate that has wide appeal. The producer has been making this wine since 1985, barrel-fermenting over eight months in all French oak, 20% new. There’s a wealth of stone and tropical fruit that gives it an instant likeability and easy introduction, while not shirking on complexity or depth. Drink now through 2033."
