Tasting Notes

Release Date: Spring 2019

Winter rains are the “lifeblood” that brings our wines into the world. We do not irrigate our vineyards (even in drought years), so each drop of rain is extremely important. Dry farming for us is more of a philosophy, leading to greater vintage authenticity and sustainability.

The grapes were harvested at the end of August under perfect conditions; acidity was high and sugars moderate, giving us the classic style we are consistently striving for. Totally barrel fermented and aged on the yeast lees, this vintage composition is 63% Domaine Eden fruit and 37% Mount Eden. A light filtration was performed before bottling in July 2017.

Shades of French oak combine with a touch of lanolin, gardenia blossom, hazelnut and lemon aromas. Deep flavors of citrus, mint and vineyard earth add complexity to the toasty lees character.

As with our Estate Chardonnay, this wine will age in a good cellar for 10-plus years.

Production

1,834

Tech Notes

Yield: 2.5 tons per acre

Harvest: August 29th - September 1st

Numbers @ Harvest: 22.4° Brix, 3.42 pH, 7.2 grams acidity

Barrel Regimen: French Burgundy-1-3 years; aged 10 months in barrel, sur-lie; 100% malolactic fermentation

Bottling: July 2017

Alcohol: 13.5%

Reviews

92 points Wine Enthusiast Magazine - October 2019

This little sister to the Mount Eden wines needs a bit of time to breathe through its reductive phase upon opening, allowing the flinty oak-kissed aromas of yogurt and dried lemon peel to emerge. There is tremendous tension to the palate, with lime pith and walnut flavors riding a damp oak element into the finish. —M.K.

92 points Robert Parker Jr's The Wine Advocate - February 2020, Week 1

“I want this to be an appellation wine,” Jeffrey Patterson says. “This is a blend of all the Chardonnay we grow at Domaine Eden plus some declassified fruit from our Mount Eden estate, about 35% this vintage.” The 2016 Domaine Chardonnay features aromas of acacia, honeyed apples, wet stone, white peach and lemon pith with notions of cheese rind and straw. Medium-bodied, it’s very lively in the mouth with savory fruits, juicy acidity and a long, energetic and lightly textured finish. —E.B.

91 points Antonio Galloni presents Vinous - October 31, 2019

Domaine Eden’s 2016 Chardonnay is an enticing wine with a terrific balance of energy and also layers of depth. Tangerine, lemon confit, almond, dried herbs and tropical overtones give the 2016 a lot of character. In the glass, the 2016 is a bit wild and unruly, yet it is also full of character. The 2016 need time to settle down, but it is very pretty. The Domaine Eden Chardonnay is roughly 2/3rds from the Domaine Eden property, and 1/3rd barrels culled out from Mount Eden.

90 points Wine Spectator - October 2019

This offers an airy texture and flavors of angel food cake flanked by zesty lemon-lime notes and crisp acidity. Toasty accents show on the finish. Drink now through 2021. — KM