Mount Eden Vineyards, Cabernet Sauvignon, Santa Cruz Mountains, California, 2018

Overview of the Wine
Mount Eden Vineyards is a small historic wine estate perched at 2000 feet overlooking Silicon Valley in the Santa Cruz Mountain Appellation, about 50 miles south of San Francisco. 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. Mount Eden’s lineage of estate bottled Chardonnay and Pinot Noir is the longest in California. Planted in austere, infertile Franciscan shale on a cool, exposed mountaintop, these low-yielding estate vineyards have consistently produced world-class wines for over a half-century. In 2007 Mount Eden acquired an additional 55 acre wine estate in the Saratoga foothills, which was christened Domaine Eden.

Mount Eden Vineyards also produces non-estate Chardonnays from the central coast, primarily Edna Valley. They have great success making Chardonnay from the Wolff Vineyard and are continually recognized as making outstanding wines from that region.

Since 1981 Jeffrey Patterson has guided the winemaking and grape growing at Mount Eden. His emphasis is on wine growing rather than winemaking; and an obsession with gentleness and naturalness in the handling of the grapes and wines is his ongoing passion.

Winemaker
Jeffrey Patterson

Grape / Blend
75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, 3% Cabernet Franc

Origin
Santa Cruz Mountains, California

Winemaker's Tasting Notes
Mount Eden Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is a Bordeaux-style blend of approximately 75% Cabernet, 22% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc, although the cepage varies by vintage. This high mountain, cool coastal vineyard is an unusual site for California Cabernet Sauvignon, reflecting its refreshing acidity and moderate alcohol. Fine integrated tannins buttress characteristic flavors of red currant, blackberry and earth. Recommended cellaring is ten to fifteen years.

94 Points - Vinous
The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is the wine to focus on in this range in 2018. Dark and brooding, the 2018 is such a classic Santa Cruz Mountains Cabernet. It offers up copious black fruit, dried herbs, chocolate, lavender and underbrush, all in a super-classic, mid-weight style that is hugely appealing. This might very well be the best value in artisan, high-end California Cabernet.

94 Points - Wine Enthusiast
Mushroomy aromas of stewed shiitake and dark mahogany meet with crisp fruit on the nose of this complex bottling. Very dry tannins frame the sip in a serious veil, as flavors of sandalwood, graphite and dried dark fruit converge. This wine will last a long time. *Cellar Selection*

93 Points - Wine Spectator
Burly and tightly wound, with a racy, taut structure, this has a rock-solid core of damson plum, mulberry and loganberry fruit along with mouthwatering savory, cassis bush and sage accents. The long finish ripples with a note of warm gravel, giving this a decidedly old-school feel. Will be a lot of fun to watch this age in the cellar. Best from 2024 through 2038.

Product size: 750ml