Winemaker Notes
Beautiful, fresh floral aromas are the first impression. The palate is rich yet elegant with citrus, hazelnut and savory herb flavors. Given that we barrel ferment and age on the lees, the texture in the mouth is round, with the finish quite long. Buoyant acidity, a hallmark of our mountaintop vineyards, completes the picture.
Professional Ratings
-
Jeb Dunnuck
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.
-
Vinous
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.
-
Wine Enthusiast
Crushed rock, lime pith and a hint of tonic water show on the nose of this bottling, the sister project to the iconic Mount Eden Vineyards. A zesty spray of citrus on the palate enlivens the subtle peach flavors and earthy minerality
-
Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
The 2021 Domaine Eden Chardonnay is stylish yet shows plenty of richness. This wine exhibits aromas and flavors of bright citrus and light creaminess. Pair it with pan-fried halibut. (Tasted: August 26, 2024, San Francisco, CA)
-
Wine Spectator
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.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A rugged and topographically diverse cool-climate appellation with a rich history, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA stretches from Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco, to the northern border of Monterey County. Elevations range from 800 feet to upwards of 3,000 and microclimates vary substantially depending on which side of the mountains the vineyards lie; cool ocean winds and fog play an important role here. This can be a challenging region in which to grow grapes, but it is well worth the effort. Santa Cruz Mountains wines are noted for balanced acidity levels, often showing great aging potential. Wine has been made here since the 1800s, most notably from the legendary Ridge Vineyards, whose Monte Bello vineyard garners international admiration.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the stars of this region, while Merlot and Zinfandel also perform quite well. Organic and sustainable vineyard practices are becoming increasingly common.