Mount Eden Vineyards Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 2021

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.

94/100 - The 2021 Chardonnay Estate strikes an admirable balance between textural decadence and tensile sturdiness. It leads with a rich, layered nose of honeyed orchard fruits, blanched almonds and baking spices. The palate harnesses a soft, creamy richness with lifted acidity and impressive, saline length on the finish. Continuing the time-tested style of Mount Eden, this should build further complexity and intensity for nearly a decade. (Reviewed April 2024) - Matthew Luczy, The Wine Advocate

94+/100 - Deep golden yellow in the glass, the 2021 Chardonnay Estate Bottled is soft-spoken and inward today. It’s clearly holding its power in reserve as it plots its next move. Briny, focused, lemony acidity presses on with much gusto, energizing a deep well of crushed stones, soft floral tones and green pear fruit. Rounded and enveloping, it unfurls at a snail’s pace as lime zest and subtle tropical flourishes inflect the finish. This classy, restrained wine needs a couple of years in bottle to fully blossom. (Reviewed September 2024) - Billy Norris, Vinous