Winemaker Notes
Very floral in the nose with scents of honeysuckle and gardenia flowers, this wine is balanced and finesseful on the palate with our usual firm acidity. The finish is long, subtle, and mineral-laced.
Professional Ratings
-
Decanter
Powerfully ripe yet racy and thrilling with acidity, this deeply concentrated Chardonnay exhibits a masterful balance of pure, persistent citrus and orchard fruit against a deeply earthen, savoury core of minerality. While fermented and aged primarily in new French oak, its oak expressions are subtle and smoky, revealing more richness and depth of texture on the palate. A stunning expression of coastal, high-altitude California Chardonnay that should develop even more complexity in the decade to come.
-
Wine Enthusiast
Crisp aromas of lemon glaze and lemongrass pick up earthy tones on the nose of this bottling. Penetrating, citrus-driven acidity plays against a chalky texture on the sip, where honeydew and minty lemon flavors align.
-
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2019 Chardonnay Estate was aged on its lees for 10 months in 60% new French oak. Rich and golden in color, it displays a classic Mount Eden nose of honey, cultured cream, toasted almonds, fresh flowers and herbs. On the palate, a round, rich and creamy frame is outlined by soft but refreshing acidity, leading to a confectionary finish.
-
Wine Spectator
Vibrant and intense, with roasted nut and toasted spice overtones to the plush peach, lemon curd and marmalade notes. Smooth and supple, but there's an elegant thread of acidity weaving in and out, plus a hint of rooibos tea on the finish.
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.