Mount Eden Vineyards

Tasting Notes

Release Date: Fall 1997

The Old Vine Reserve is produced exclusively from two small vineyards planted on their own roots in the mid 50’s. Artisan winermakers the world over strive to create a bit of magic in your glass and old vines such as these are a key. Small yields supported by ancient, vast root systems produce grapes packed with vineyard specific textures, flavors, and concentration. Our reverence for these vines, their history, and the wine they produce is why we choose to designate this as our reserve.

1994 was a superior year for California Cabernet Sauvignon, the finest since 1990. Low rainfall, technically a drought year, combined with a cool growing season, yielded a late October harvest of small berries slowly matured. After a brief fermentation, we aged the wine in new French Chateau Frére barrels for two years. Prior to bottling a light egg-white fining was given in the barrel and the wine was bottled without filtration.

In producing the style of the “Old Vine” we strive for elegance and complexity; in contrast our regular bottling is focused on concentration and tannin. During our forty year history with these two cabernet vineyards, we feel this style is the best vehicle to express our unique mountaintop.