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Few wineries in California can boast a history such as Mount Eden Vineyards. In 1945, legendary vintner Martin Ray began to develop Mount Eden's estate vineyard on a rugged mountaintop in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Rumour has it that his vines for the Cabernet were bootlegged from Château Margaux, and his Pinot Noir and Chardonnay came from his mentor Paul Masson's good friend Louis Latour - presumably from Latour's Grand Cru vineyards.
Today, the Mount Eden site consists of 40 acres of low-yielding vines. Planted in infertile Franciscan shale, the vineyards are 25 kilometres from the Pacific Ocean, and enjoy a cool yet very sunny climate above the fog.
The Santa Cruz Mountains AVA holds a special distinction. Despite being a small appellation (approximately 1,500 acres of vines), it is home to two of California's most historic, iconic wineries - Mount Eden Vineyards and Ridge Vineyards, which is located only a stone's throw away.
Mount Eden's wines age slowly, so if you have room in the cellar to forget about these wines, you will be amply rewarded down the road.
"I focus on longevity because if I do my job correctly, I can make wines that age 25 years. The vineyards have that potential. It's always been a mystery to me why this place, this mountain, can have such longevity. It's a signature of the Santa Cruz Mountains, that long term ageability."
Jeffrey Patterson, winemaker
For more on Mount Eden Vineyards click here.
For our full list of wines, click here.
To order, just reply to this email or give me a call, 437 227 6950 (cell), 416 961 2294 x 29 (office).
Cheers, Chris.
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Mount Eden
Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains 2016
$111.95 per 750ml bottle, cases of 6
(4 cases available)
"The nose on this bottling blends savoury depth with floral lightness, combining sandalwood, seared Meyer lemon peels, butterscotch, hot sandstone and flashes of honeysuckle on the nose. Sea salt and nectarine lead toward marshmallow and wood in the finish, wrapped in a structure that's firm but seamless."
94 points, Wine Enthusiast, Oct 2019
"The 2016 Chardonnay is a very pretty wine. Tangerine peel, tropical overtones, mint and butter notes give the 2016 a decidedly extroverted feel in terms of its flavour profile, and yet the wine remains a bit compact in its overall feel. In 2016, the fruit was brought in entirely in August, which is historically on the early side. The 2016 will drink nicely with minimal cellaring, although time in bottle should help the mid-palate flesh out a bit more. 2019-2026."
93 points, Antonio Galloni. vinous.com, Oct 2019
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Mount Eden Pinot Noir Santa Cruz Mountains 2016 $118.95 per 750ml bottle, cases of 6 (6 cases available)
"The 2016 Pinot Noir is especially delicate and perfumed, with lovely red berry, tobacco, cedar and dried flower notes laced throughout. Medium in body, with bright acids, the 2016 is likely to enjoy a long life in the cellar. Yields were down sharply, the result of bad weather in bloom and vines that were exhausted after several years of intense drought conditions. In some ways. the 2016 reminds me of the 2014. The similarities will be even greater if the 2016 gains a bit more volume in aging."
93+ points, Antonio Galloni. vinous.com, Dec 2019
"Pale to medium ruby, the 2016 Pinot Noir Estate opens with notes of warm earth, tree bark, saline and smoke, giving way to wild blackberries, oolong tea leaves, citrus peel, crushed stone and a core of savoury red and black berry fruit. The palate is light to medium-bodied, featuring spicy fruits and mineral nuances, with a soft frame of grainy tannins and juicy freshness, finishing very long and perfumed. 742 cases produced."
93 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Feb 2020 "Roasted red plums, minty tarragon, roasted herbs and a hint of game show on the complex nose of this bottling from a mountainside legend. Those layers emerge on the palate too, floating from raspberry to thyme and anise to peppered meats, with loads of savoury depth."
93 points, Wine Enthusiast, Oct 2019
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Mount Eden Cabernet Sauvignon
Santa Cruz Mountains 2015 $156.95 per 750ml bottle, cases of 6
(9 cases available)
"The rocky minerality of the region shows from first sniff through to the lengthy finish. The earthiness is beautifully offset by fleshy red and black fruit, with spice-infused cherry, bittersweet chocolate, espresso and vanilla notes. For all its youthful intensity, the palate is remarkably fresh and bright. Drinking window 2023 - 2035."
95 points, Decanter magazine, July 2018
"The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Estate is a blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc and 1% Petit Verdot and was aged almost entirely in new barrels. It has a medium to deep ruby colour and is more powerful and intense on the nose than the 2014 version, with aromas of blackcurrant bud, cassis, bay leaf, pencil shavings, dark chocolate and cedar with savoury/meaty hints, plus tons of red fruit sparks and licorice hints. It's medium to full-bodied with intense, ripe fruits laced with savoury and herbal accents. It has a frame of juicy acidity and grainy, ripe tannins, finishing very long and energetic. 2020-2035. 728 cases produced."
94 points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, Feb 2020
"Mount Eden's Cabernet Sauvignon is one of the hidden gems, not just in the Santa Cruz Mountains, but in wine more broadly. The 2015 is bold, deep and pungent, with striking fruit density and tons of aromatic nuance. Jeffrey Patterson told me he had never seen such a tiny crop. Some vines produced no fruit at all. As a result, the 2015 was aged entirely in new oak, all of which it handles very well. The balance of savoury Cabernet aromatics, fruit and structure is already terrific, and will only improve with more time in bottle."
94 points, Antonio Galloni. vinous.com, Oct 2019
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Chris McLean
office: 416 961 2294 x 29
cell: 437 227 6950
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