Mount Eden Vineyards

Tasting Notes

Release Date: Spring 1993

A successful flowering resulted in a crop that was at least on the scale, albeit at the bottom (1.5 tons per acre). In addition, 1991 was a late year with a cool, sporadic summer that lingered on into the harvest months. Around the state winemakers gave a sign of relief as the harvest finished up with great quality in the barrels and no rain.

While still a youngster, the '91 delivers great concentration and breed. Baked bread, toast, and gardenia blossom give interest to our signature flavors of lemon and anise. Expect improvement in the bottle for another 2-3 years and an excellent drinking plateau for a decade beyond.

92 points Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar - July/August 1998

Spicy aromas of pineapple, spiced apple, cinnamon and clove. Thick, sweet and generous, given shape by harmonious ripe acidity. May not offer the delineation of the very best years but this is delicious already. Finishes ripe and long. Developing rather quickly for Mount Eden chardonnay.

92 points Robert Parker Jr's Wine Advocate - October 1993

Issue # 89

Mount Eden is unquestionably one of the finest producers of Chardonnay in California. The 1991 and 1990 Estate Chardonnays share bouquets of toasty new oak, earthy, buttery fruit, and minerals. They are tightly knit, rich, full-bodied, concentrated wines that are dead ringers for a top premier cru or grand cru white burgundy. Although I did not have the opportunity to taste them side by side, my recollection is that the 1991 Chardonnay offers additional layers of flavor and longer finish than the exquisite 1990. Based on past efforts, these wines should last for 4-8 years.

Connoisseurs' Guide to California Wine 1993

Rating:

Best Wines of 1993-When it is good, it is very good, and in 1991, the Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay is simply spectacular! Deep, dense and loaded with rich oak and bold fruit, this potent scene-stealer ranks among the winery’s (and California’s) finest efforts ever and should get better over many years to come

Best Buy 1993-Already having garnered top honors as one of our picks-of- the-year for 1993, the altogether amazing Mount Eden Vineyards 1991 ($32) is worth every dime of its field- leading price and should be sought out so long as any hope of its finding remains

One of the finest Chardonnays yet from Mount Eden, this wine has dense, full-scaled varietal fruit perfectly capable to stand up to the bold oak apparent in this powerhouse rendering. The aromas show ample fruit under somewhat charred barrel scents and, in the mouth, the wine is flavorful and deep with intriguing suggestions of complexity that should further develop with bottle age. It has a lengthy finish and is delicious now, but its peak should come in two to four years.

California Grapevine 1993

Best Chardonnay of 1993

Medium-light golden yellow color; very attractive, rich, intense, toasty, buttery ripe Chardonnay fruit aroma with notes of spice and vanilla; full body; forward, rich slightly viscous, intense, textured, toasty, lemony, ripe fruit flavors with good depth; well balanced and structured; touch of astringency on the oak finish; lingering aftertaste. Superior quality. One of the best Chardonnays of the vintage we’ve tasted to date. It will continue to develop with several more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended. 17 (94 of 100)

Washington Times - April 1994

by Michael Franz

Mount Eden Vineyards, Santa Cruz Mountains, Estate Chardonnay 1991 $37
An indisputably great wine, this is one of the five best New World chardonnays that I have tasted. It has a bit of everything: spicy oak, buttery richness, crisp fruit, toasty, yeast notes, perfectly integrated acidity and a lingering, clean finish. Like all the world’s best wines – regardless of category – the outstanding attribute here is a magical harmony and the proportionality in which all of these attributes work to balance and magnify one another. The wine is also very adaptable, being wonderful on its own and equally wonderful with food. Very little is made, but it is well worth the search. Grade A.