Mount Eden Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay (Ex Domaine 2026) 2013

This is part of a parcel of library stock shipped directly from the estate in 2026, guaranteeing perfect provenance.

Mount Eden’s lineage of estate bottled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is the longest in California. Planted in austere, infertile Franciscan shale on a cool exposed mountaintop (2000 ft), these low-yielding estate vineyards have consistently produced world-class, age-worthy wines for decades. Representing the pinnacle of what Santa Cruz Mountains can offer, their Estate Chardonnay combines ripe, concentrated fruit with mountain structure and freshness.

95/100 - The product of yet another drought vintage, the 2013 Chardonnay Estate is one of the great, age-worthy examples of this wine from Mount Eden's modern era. The nose is layered and evolving, dominated by tropical and orchard fruits, popcorn kernels, biscuits and chamomile. The palate straddles a glossy polish and impressive attack, with a finish that is notably more study and upright than surrounding vintages. Despite the numerous negative ramifications of drought vintages, the remarkable tension and tenacity displayed in these Chardonnays is some silver lining, however small. (Reviewed April 2024) - Matthew Luczy, The Wine Advocate