Winery - Mount Eden
* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
The mountain vineyard somehow manages not only to beautifully ripen the grapes to a great expression of fruit, but also preserves vital acidity and lends a firm layer of minerality. The result is a big, powerful wine that easily absorbs its lavish coat of new oak. The flavors are of candied pineapple tart, Meyer lemon mousse and vanilla custard, with a finish of sweet, crushed Asian spices. Perfect now, and just beginning to gather momentum. Drink through 2011, at least, with proper cellaring.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A massive Chardonnay, with tremendous grilled pineapple, peach pie, buttered cinnamon toast, butterscotch, caramel and vanilla flavors, with a firm, earthy minerality. Feels fat and glyceriney in the mouth, providing a decadent palate experience, but acidity contributes to the firm, elegant structure. It should age effortlessly for at least six years, changing and evolving over time.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Mount Eden makes their estate Cab the old-fashioned way: to age. The ’05 is quite tannic and shut down right now, with a hard astringency, especially on the finish. However, it’s rich in black currants, mocha and cedar, and is a natural for many years in the cellar. The score could rise considerably after 2011.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
This is a delicious Chardonnay, but more than that, it’s very nearly as good as the winery’s classic Estate bottling, which costs more than twice as much. Shows real Chard character, a rich, creamy, dry wine with explosive flavors of pineapples, pears and peaches that taste like they were baked into crème brûlée.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Showing the big, forward, ripe fruit that is currently in favor in California, this Pinot is high in acidity, with a bracing quality despite rich cherry, cola, rhubarb and mocha flavors and a hint of sautéed mushrooms. It’s bone dry, and has a young, sappy quality that suggests midterm aging. Drink now–2010.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Big, extracted, rich and bold, a break with the old style that emphasized leanness and acidity for aging. This beauty will satisfy fans of ripe tropical fruit and lots of oak, made in an accessible style. Doesn’t seem like a keeper, and best now for several years.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A brilliant Pinot Noir, dry and enormously concentrated in mountain cherries, raspberries, strawberries and sweet oak. Completely delicious now, but with the acidity, minerality and balance to evolve over the next six years, at least.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
A good exemplar of Cabernet grown in this important winegrowing region south of San Francisco. It’s a perfect wine to drink now for its dryness, tannic balance and classic blackberry, black currant and raisin flavors.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Try this if you’re curious what Chardonnay does when it’s just starting to develop bottle complexities. The primary fruit is fading, leaving behind dried apricot, quince and peach flavors with overtones of herbs and clay. The wine is super-dry and remains high in acidity. Should hang in there through this decade.
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* Expert NoteJanuary 12, 2012
Still a baby, and easy to misunderstand, but this is one serious puppy. Youthful tannins and acids frame juvenile, primary fruit flavors of blackberries, and oak has been tastefully applied. But the rich core of fruit, and overall balance, urge longterm aging for a good ten years.
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