Mount Eden Vineyards Mount Eden Vineyards Chardonnay Santa Cruz Mountains, USA, California, Santa Cruz Mountains

Friday Tasting Group; LOOKS Unthemed, but... (Vintage Wines Ltd., San Diego, CA) : Judging by the generic vintage facts sheet, PROBABLY 100% barrel/malolactic fermentation; Bottle #2682 N: Butter & popcorn with a debate between 2 experienced tasters as to whether or not this wine was oxidized** P: LM body; RNDISH entry with ALMOST swtish oak/frt BEAUTIFULLY balanced by acidity which BASICALLY defines the wine as it morphs into a LONG, tangy/swt finish with still enough stuffing to accompany lighter fare, …

At veritas. The nose was mostly citrus and salinity. There was also a hint of petrol like smells. The palate was very compelling with a smooth, thick texture but very savory in the components. Here was some salt, some white fruit seeds, some citrus, and whisps of water Mellon. Medium in length but delicious.

Mount Eden Retrospective: the 1980s, with winemaker Jeffrey Patterson (The Plumed Horse Restaurant, Saratoga, California) : Medium gold color; tight lemon nose; youthful, light-medium bodied tart lemon and minerals palate with good acidity, reminiscent of a 1er Cru white Burgundy from an average vintage; medium finish 92+ pts.

Vega-Sicilia Unico Vertical and other Excesses (Chez Hazerot, Chez Hart and La Salette Restaurant, Sonoma, California) : medium dark golden color; butterscotch and honey nose; oxidized, tangy, mature Chardonnay; medium finish

SMOKY AROMA WITH OAK AND BUTTERSCOTCH. CITRUS FLAVOR. CREAMY MEDIUM LENGTH FINISH.

With K at home at dinner (fish). Deep, dark yellow-gold. Clean, clear. Buttery aroma, almost butterscotch. fn the palate, ponderous, fat, gull-bodied. Not well-balanced. A disappointment, especially after the excellent '84. I continue to be very disappointed with '85 Chardonnays, especially as they get older. 5-11-13-5: 84/100.