The translucent and
focused character of our Estate Chardonnay clearly expresses the unique terroir
of Mount Eden. Shallow Franciscan Shale soils and a mountaintop climate produce
wines of clarity and depth. Traditional Burgundian winemaking techniques
enhance the sense of place. This wine is 100% fermented in French Burgundy
barrels, undergoes full malolactic fermentation, and is aged sur lie for
10 months before being bottled through a light polishing filter.
At first glance, the
Estate Chardonnay exhibits a luminous pale gold color. The nose opens with
delicate notes of vanilla and lightly toasted butter, complemented by hints of
waxed walnut and a citrus twist. Medium-bodied, with subtle lemon notes that linger,
this wine has a rich presence from beginning to end. The finish is long,
delicately rich, and refreshingly clean.
Enjoy now for its
vibrancy, or cellar it and expect peak expression between 5 and 15 years, with
graceful evolution extending up to 25 years.
~Austin Chin, Winemaker
2022 featured a mild winter and a
relatively hot summer. We received a total of 26 inches of rain, which,
according to our founder Martin Ray, is the ideal amount for wine quality,
although it is below our historical average of 35 inches. After the historic
drought of 2021, the yields for our Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs were small but
balanced. The results produced concentrated, fruit-driven wines that are both
delicious and elegant.
~Reid Patterson, GM