Mount Eden Vineyards - 'Domaine Eden' Cabernet Sauvignon 2021

Mount Eden Vineyards is a small, historic wine estate located on a 2000 foot peak in the Santa Cruz Mountain Appellation, about 15 miles from the Pacific Ocean. Founded by Martin Ray in 1945, it is recognized as one of the original boutique California Winery properties, focusing on small lots of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, and Cabernet Sauvignon. The Mount Eden Vineyard has been continuously producing estate bottled Pinot Noir and Chardonnay longer than anyone else in California.

Planted in austere, infertile Franciscan shale on a cool, exposed mountaintop, the 40 acre vineyard is farmed sustainably without any irrigation. It is comprised of 7 acres of Pinot Noir, 20 acres of Chardonnay and 13 acres of Bordeaux varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Cabernet Franc. In 2007 they purchased the former Cinnabar vineyard on a neighboring mountain top. Planted in 1983, this mature vineyard brought another 12 acres of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, as well as a little Cabernet Sauvignon. They renamed the property Domaine Eden and it has become the primary source for their Domaine Eden wines.

Winemaker and Proprietor Jeffrey Patterson has been making wine at Mount Eden since 1981. With three decades under his belt, he continues with the same goal as when he started: to express this singular vineyard. Fermentation is done with native yeasts, oak influence is kept minimal, and fining and filtering are minimal when used at all.

Few wineries in California have the sort of history that is found at Mount Eden and few wineries in the world can match the level of quality being produced here. This is a unique terroir being overseen by conscientious stewards and these are wines that could not possibly have come from anywhere else in the world. It’s as pointless to compare these wines to Burgundy and Bordeaux as it is to compare them to the rest of California; these wines are Mount Eden, pure and simple. 

The lots are fermented separately using natural fermentations, and aged in 50/50 French and American oak (2-5 years old) for 2 years. No fining or filtration conducted prior to bottling, just like the Estate regimen.

"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon is in its infancy today, but it’s absolutely seductive and sizzling, stacked floor to ceiling with intriguing layers that just need some time to coalesce. Cooling mint, black raspberry, juniper, leather and high-percentage dark chocolate open gradually, unfurling into a soft-textured, caressing, broad wine of sheer class. Oak is very much at the forefront for now, but the juicy freshness and old-school/new-school juxtaposition are really appealing. The 2021 is certainly not short on pure, clear fruit. Give this a couple of years to settle into itself." - 94 Points, Antonio Galloni Vinous

"Blending 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and small additions of Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, and Malbec, the ongoing drought of the 2021 vintage challenged the Cabernet Sauvignon the most, and tannin management proved a challenge. As a result, some of the fermentation and pressing protocols were adjusted for the 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, with barrel fermentation over 22 months in both French and American oak, the barrels anywhere from one to six years old. There’s a density to the wine and undeniable concentration, mountain-worthy tannins that are starting to soften, and a savory, wooded character to the currant and cassis, with additional notes of black olive. Drink now through 2031." - 93 Points, Jeb Dunnuck

"The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon offers up a textbook Cabernet bouquet of dark fruits, pipe tobacco, dried herbs and conifers. The palate is rich and velvety yet eminently classy, propped up by a sturdy backbone of refined tannins that carries the savory yet approachable finish. This is a beautiful iteration of one of California's greatest Cabernet value propositions." - 93 Points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Producer: Mount Eden Vineyards

Country: USA

Region: California

Varietal: Cabernet Sauvignon

Appellation: Santa Cruz Mountains

Vintage: 2021

Size: 750ml