04/05 PETIT WEEK IN WINE - Mount Eden Vineyards

This week in preparation for Easter Sunday, and CMS Spring Break, we bring you the perfect wines for your local gatherings and upcoming road trips.

I am talking about California's FIRST 'boutique' winery that is perched 2,000ft above the Silicon Valley town of Saratoga - Mount Eden Vineyards!

Located just 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean in the Santa Cruz mountains, Mount Eden Vineyards has been producing exceptional wines since the 1976 Judgement of Paris where two local wines were declared via blind tastings to be as good or BETTER than their French counterparts! Despite this achievement, these bottlings tend to fly under the radar on the East Coast. I invite you to stop by and taste for yourself what makes Mount Eden Vineyards so special.

For those that regularly ask, what are y'all's favorite West Coast wines? Well, Mount Eden estate is TOP of mind.

The Tasting Flight brings you two Chardonnays, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon that will surely be the perfect compliment to the Master's golf watching and/or your Easter festivities.

As a special treat, for all you planners out there if you RSVP online that you are coming on 4/6 Thursday or 4/7 Friday, the Tasting Flight is just $25 ! (on-deal from the regular $29).

Click HERE to pre-purchase your tasting flight online, and please read on for all the details.

We hope to see you this week.

Wishing you a Happy Easter!

Mark

Mount Eden has incredible history.

In the early 1900's Paul Masson (who grew up in Burgundy) shifted part of his successful California production to the region, and then 35 years later sold his Saratoga winery to a neighbor named Martin Ray, a newcomer to the business who predicted California wines would one day rival those of the old world. Hmmm, he certainly had a good prediction. All I can think of is, "we will sell no wine before it's time." But this is much better than just clever marketing.

By 1976 Martin Ray had become a winemaking legend and the famous 'Judgment of Paris' blind-taste-testing wine competition ended with the French judges declaring several California wines to be as good or better than their renowned French counterparts. TWO of the world-beaters were Santa Cruz Mountains wines! And the quality coming out of the region has only gotten better since.

If you had to pick just one winery to demonstrate the originality of California wine, Mount Eden Vineyards might be the winner.

This iconic estate is recognized as CA's first 'boutique' winery, focusing on small lots of three grape varieties normally found in far-flung locations: Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Cabernet Sauvignon. Mount Eden Estate sits just 15 mi. from the Pacific Ocean at the top of Table Mountain, 2,000 feet above the Silicon Valley town of Saratoga, at the end of a winding 2-mile dirt road. In 2007 the Estate acquired an extra 55 acres nearby (the former Cinnabar Winery), which they named Domaine Eden.

>> Tasting Flight Hours:

MYERS PARK:

5:00 - 6:30pm Wednesday 

5:00 - 7:30pm Thursday - Friday

1:00 - 7:30pm Saturday 

SOUTH END: 

5:30 - 9:00pm Wednesday - Friday

1:00 - 9:00pm Saturday

1:00 - 5:30pm Closed for Easter Sunday

>> Tasting Flight Offerings:

Domaine Eden

Chardonnay 2018

Santa Cruz Mountains, CA

$37 btl/retail

SUMMARY: When Mount Eden acquired the Cinnabar estate on a nearby ridge in Saratoga in 2007, it renamed the property Domaine Eden. This bottling is synonymous with great mountain Chardonnay- balanced & precise with great acidity on the long finish.

VARIETAL/WINEMAKING: 100% Chardonnay. 74% Domaine Eden fruit and 26% from the Mount Eden Estate. Harvest began in the first half of September under optimal conditions. The wine was then aged in French oak for ten months sur-lie before bottling.

TASTING NOTE:  Detailed aromas of marzipan and lime zest emerge in the nose. Rich yet vibrant style in its caramelized citrus, brioche, honeycomb, and smoky, mineral-like aromas flavors. Medium-bodied, balanced, and focused on the palate, it has that classic Santa Cruz mineral-like sensation, impressive balance, and a great finish. 

PAIRING SUGGESTION: Does well with appetizers, and your traditional deviled eggs on your Easter spread.

Mount Eden Vineyards

Chardonnay 2017

Santa Cruz Mountains, CA

$67 btl/retail

SUMMARY: The 2017 Chardonnay Estate is a beautiful expression of the vintage... scented with warm citrus, honeycomb and a singular undercurrent of spices.

VARIETAL/WINEMAKING: 100% Chardonnay from heritage vines, including descendants of the Chardonnay cuttings Paul Masson brought from Burgundy in the early 1900s to plant at his La Cresta Vineyard.  Barrel fermented with complete malolactic fermentation, the wine is aged on its lees for ten months in 50% new Burgundy barrels. This barrel regimen gives the wine weight.

TASTING NOTE: Pure and powerful, with dried sage and preserved citrus accents adding to the ripe pear and baked apple aromas & flavors. The palate is satiny with full, ripe fruit energized by bright freshness and mineral character, and the wine finishes very long, pure and uplifted. Elegantly textured and built to last.

PAIRING SUGGESTION: Pairs well with salads dressed with warm vinaigrettes and your favorite eggs benedict for Brunch over the weekend.

Domaine Eden

Pinot Noir 2019

Santa Cruz Mountains, CA

$47 btl/retail

SUMMARY: A perfumed and engaging Pinot Noir that excels with taut energy, depth of flavor, and length of finish... a great expression of Santa Cruz Pinot.

VARIETAL/WINEMAKING: 100% Pinot Noir. Partial use of whole clusters (20%) gives the wine much of its fragrance, but ultimately this Domaine Eden Pinot bottling is all about class

TASTING NOTE: Aromas of dried violets, uncrushed boysenberries and pencil lead make for an ethereal nose that seems to hold secrets one must uncover. Precise tannins on the palate offer floral yet savory flavors of black sesame, nori, violet and mulberry. It’s mellow yet mysterious.

PAIRING SUGGESTION: This is the Pinot to pair with your Easter baked ham, and all the fixings!

Domaine Eden

Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

Santa Cruz Mountains, CA

$59 btl/retail

SUMMARY: Dark and brooding, the '18 is such a classic Santa Cruz Mountains Cab. 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.

VARIETAL/WINEMAKING: 82% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec

TASTING NOTE: Subtle aromas of dark cherry, toasted mahogany and roasted nuts are very balanced on the nose of this bottling. The palate offers incense and potpourri flavors against a fresh red-fruit element. On the spicy, peppery finish, the leathery tannins continue their grip. It feels clean with the cool ripeness of a Pacific Cabernet.

PAIRING SUGGESTION: This more full-body option stands up to the lamb entree on your Easter menu. Also, the Merlot addition rounds the palette well if you are doing braised or roasted veggies as your main leading up to Sunday.

We Will Have Your Order Ready for Pick-up at either Myers Park, or South End Store Locations!