Tasting Notes

Release Date: Fall 2010

2007 was a drought year of historic severity. Sixteen inches fell during the winter – the last time that happened was 1977, thirty years previously. Other than that, it was a great growing season. We still kept our dry-farming philosophy (the only sustainability that works in my world) and the late summer, early fall were textbook mild and sunny.

The style of this vintage is what I have been trying to achieve recently. Reticent in fruit yet buoyant in personality, this Chardonnay has penetrating, compelling aromas unique to Mount Eden – earth, quince, and lime zest. On the palate, the first impression is of solid acidity with the fruit in the background but abundant richness, texture and minerality in the foreground. Overall, an exquisite, teasing tautness completes the picture.

Built to age gracefully, expect improvement through 2012 and a drinking plateau through 2025 with proper cellaring.

Production

1,313

Tech Notes

Yield: 2.5 tons per acre Harvest: August 31th-September 5th Numbers @ Harvest: 23.8 Brix; 3.40 pH; 8.5 grams acidity Barrel Regimen: French Burgundy 50% new; 50%-1 year; 100% Barrel Fermented; 100% Malolactic; aged 9 months on the lees Bottling: June 2008; Lightly Filtered Alcohol: 13.8%

Reviews

96 points Robert Parker Jr's The Wine Advocate - February 2011

Issue #193

Notes of white currants, lemon butter, poached pear, as well as touches of honey and crushed rock are all present in the complex aromatics of the light greenish/gold-colored 2007 Chardonnay Estate.  A beautiful, full-bodied, textured mouthfeel with great freshness and brilliant purity is evidenced of another stunner from this iconic source of high-elevation California Chardonnay.  This is probably my favorite vintage over the last decade and has at least 10 years of aging potential.

94 points Wine Enthusiast Magazine  - February 2011

This is a big, vital Chardonnay brimming with fresh acids and oak, whose underlying pineapple, pear and lemon-lime flavors are delicious. Despite the richness, it’s dry and crisp in acidity, with a minerally tang. Drink now. SH

92 points Steve Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar - November/December 2010

Bright gold. Lively, mineral-laced aromas of pear, quince and white flowers, with subtle vanilla and spice notes in the background. Sappy and light on its feet, with surprisingly dense orchard fruit flavors and an exotic hint of papaya. The mineral quality comes back on a pure, nervy and tightly focused finish, which is impressively persistent. Balanced for aging but this will probably be in top drinking form in another four or five years.