92+ 2006 Mount Eden Santa Cruz Mountains Chardonnay 4/2/10 ($43)
14.2% alc
Color: Medium deep gold. (3.0) Bouquet: Mineral-laced poached pear and dried apricot with hazelnuts. (3.5) Body: Light heavyweight with excellent minerality/acidity and very good fruit. Coats the mouth. (3.5) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with intense minerality and elegant fruit, but needs time to open fully. (3.0) Finish: Parallels flavor with minerality lingering, but fruit is subdued and shows a little bitterness. Still elegant. (3.0)
Overall: Intense minerals with elegant fruit (very Burgundian), complementing hazelnut/oak and a lively, viscous mouthfeel. Balanced and elegant even now, but it's young and needs time to calm and open. Outstanding potential. Should improve in the next 5+ years. Serve at cellar temperature (55°F). (16.0)
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