Domaine Eden Chardonnay 2012
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Wine Enthusiast
This more affordable cousin to the Mount Eden brand is just as good, though different. It presents dairy aromas of brie cheese rind and yogurt but in a deliciously approachable way, with diced chives, caramelized pear and citronella elements. The palate shows tremendous energy, with lots of lime and lemon pith, but also a sour-cream richness.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
More than meets the eye, the 2012 Domaine Eden Chardonnay takes a slice out of the Santa Cruz Mountains as it allows us to see the magic of this area; more than just fruit, this one shows a sense of place. It's almost muscular structure sets it apart from so many in this price range. Medium straw color; perky apple and mineral in the aromas, very lively; medium bodied, zippy on the palate; dry, excellent acidity, well balanced; frisky and very alive fruit in the flavors, apple and light chalk; medium finish, crisp and biting in the aftertaste. (Tasted: August 24, 2015, San Francisco, CA)
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Barrel fermented and aged in a mix of French and American oak (30% new), the 2012 Chardonnay Estate -- released under the Domaine Eden label -- was a little reductive on this occasion, but opened up to show plenty of ripe orchard fruits, honeysuckle, peach and white flowers notes with time in the glass. Medium-bodied, beautifully textured, rounded, and supple with lots of Chardonnay depth and richness, it's upfront and ready to go now, but should drink nicely for 3-4 years at the least.
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Domaine Eden is a mountaintop wine estate purchased by Mount Eden Vineyards in 2007. Modeled after Mount Eden, it was founded and built by the late Tom Mudd in 1983, who initially planted the Mount Eden clonal selections of Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, which evolved to include Pinot Noir from various Dijon and California selections. This is the former home of Cinnabar Winery.
This property inspired a new wine brand, Domaine Eden, which focuses on Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from this special site and Bordeaux varieties from Mount Eden’s larger home, the Santa Cruz Mountains.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
A rugged and topographically diverse cool-climate appellation with a rich history, the Santa Cruz Mountains AVA stretches from Half Moon Bay, just south of San Francisco, to the northern border of Monterey County. Elevations range from 800 feet to upwards of 3,000 and microclimates vary substantially depending on which side of the mountains the vineyards lie; cool ocean winds and fog play an important role here. This can be a challenging region in which to grow grapes, but it is well worth the effort. Santa Cruz Mountains wines are noted for balanced acidity levels, often showing great aging potential. Wine has been made here since the 1800s, most notably from the legendary Ridge Vineyards, whose Monte Bello vineyard garners international admiration.
Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon are the stars of this region, while Merlot and Zinfandel also perform quite well. Organic and sustainable vineyard practices are becoming increasingly common.