Mount Eden Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2020

This Chardonnay from the acclaimed Mount Eden Vineyards is one of California's longest-lived white wines, but also drinks incredibly well when enjoyed young. Classic aromas of citrus, honeysuckle and a nuance of hazelnut are abundant. Focused acidity and linear flavors of lemon, cardamom and minerality come through on the palate.

The 2020 Chardonnay Estate is ripe and tropical on the nose, displaying its new oak élevage with aromas of mango, papaya, crushed stones, toffee and crème brûlée. The palate is glossy and round before livening up on the finish, which wraps around a subtle but consistent core of acidity. This is a solid effort considering the immense challenges of the vintage. - Matthew Luczy, Wine Advocate

The 2020 Chardonnay is a very beautiful wine in a hugely challenging year. The ripe flavor profile is a reminder of the intense heat during the growing season. Even so, the 2020 remains medium in body, with slightly phenolic contours. Lemon confit, tangerine oil, hazelnut, spice and tropical accents open with coaxing. The balance here is not perfect, but that was not possible. Instead, I am super-impressed with the way this wine overachieves the potential of the year. I would prefer to drink this over the next few years, before the fruit fades, as there is some underlying aggressiveness that will become stronger over time. - Antonio Galloni, Vinous