Mount Eden Vineyards Old Vines Chardonnay 2021, Wolff Vineyard, Edna Valley, California

Mount Eden Vineyards is a small historic wine estate located on a 2000 foot peak in the Santa Cruz Mountain Appellation about 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Founded in 1945, it is recognized as one of the original ’boutique’ California Winery properties, focusing on small lots of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Jean-Pierre Wolff farms 55 acres of Chardonnay vines in the bucolic Edna Valley, outside the town of San Luis Obispo. Originally planted in 1976 by Edna Valley wine pioneer Andy Macgregor (Wolff purchased the property from Macgregor in 1999), the vineyard is the oldest in the Edna Valley. Chardonnay has been made from these vines since 1985. These mature vines typically yield two to four tons per acre. After harvest, the fruit is trucked to the winery in the Santa Cruz Mountains. It is pressed without crushing and entirely barrel-fermented in a mix 1/2 French & 1/2 American oak, 1/3 new. 50% Malolactic, 100% sur-lie The full-bodied Estate Chardonnay displays fine underlying acidity and a long finish. Hints of cardamom, anise and hazelnut add interest to the core lemon, mineral flavors. Of all Mount Eden’s estate-grown wines, the Chardonnay is most in need of further bottle aging at release, requiring an additional two to four years to fully reveal its true character. Many vintages are still fresh and enjoyable after fifteen years, explaining why Mount Eden Estate Chardonnay is considered one of California’s longest-lived white wines.