An Elegant California Chardonnay from an Iconic Producer

While the Garden of Eden might be known for its apples, California drinkers know that Mount Eden means grapes and seriously good wines, such as today’s 2013 Mount Eden Estate Chardonnay.  

Far from the bucolic greenery of the biblical pastures, the Mount Eden vineyards are located high in the Santa Cruz Mountains on rocky shale soils. Nearly 1000 feet above the fog line on east-facing hills, the vines receive ample sunlight, dry weather, and cool, consistent temperatures that help the grapes reach optimum ripeness year after year. The area, the first mountainous zone to be made an AVA in 1981, has been making extraordinary wines for years. In fact, two Santa Cruz Mountain wines, a Chardonnay and a Cabernet, were featured in the famed Judgement of Paris wine competition. 

Consistency and pedigree are key with this producer. Mount Eden has been producing Chardonnay since 1945, when its founder Martin Ray planted vines sourced straight from Burgundy. Though the vines have been replanted with carefully selected clones, and the winemaking has passed into the more-than-capable hands of Jeffrey Patterson, the Burgundian ideal of making wines true to terroir has stayed. Robert Parker enthused in 2009: “This iconic winery continues to offer wines with personalities and styles that set them apart (especially the Estate wines) from just about anything else readers will taste from California.” 

The 2013 Mount Eden balances richness and minerality in a way that truly impresses. With barrel fermentation in new oak, ten months on the lees and only light filtering, this wine is made in a serious style that lends to complexity and aging potential. It has a deep golden hue and gives a nose that has both floral, chalky high notes and a base of apple and oak. This interplay continues on the palate, where the vineyard’s cool climate gives a steely European minerality and herbaceousness while the winemaking technique produces a mouthcoating fullness and toasted brioche finish. All of this is complemented by the wine’s fruits of lemon, pineapple and small berries. 

As we enter December, it’s time to think of gifts for the wine lovers in your life. This Chardonnay is sure to impress! It is delicious now and has easily another 5-10 years ahead of it. At $59.99, this is a perfect wine to have on hand for gifting and holiday entertaining.