2013 Domaine Eden Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay

Domaine Eden's 2013 Chardonnay is subtle, poised and gracious to the core. Dried pear, dried flowers, sage, mint and chamomile grace the palate in this understated, exquisite Chardonnay. Hints of smoke, slate and dried pear reappear on the super-classic, expressive finish. What a gorgeous wine this is. Quite simply, the 2013 Domaine Eden Chardonnay is a tremendous wine for the money. In 2013, the blend is approximately 72% declassified Mt. Eden juice and 28% wine from the Domaine Eden estate proper. Jeffrey Patterson is one of the most laid back producers in California. His wines? They speak volumes. The Chardonnays are particularly strong this year at both the Domaine Eden and Mount Eden labels. Patterson told me 2013 a drought year, reminds him of 1984. I will take his word for it, as I was barely a teenager at the time. But tasting the wines, it is clear they are truly special from top to bottom. Although it gets a bit lost in the shuffle, the Old Vines Chardonnay (formerly Wolff), made from Edna Valley fruit, offers superb quality for the money. (AG)