The Mount Eden 2007 Chardonnay Estate (normal release) comes across as quite lush and fat relative to the Reserve tasted alongside it. This is a sweet, generous style, with beautifully filled out layers of fruit and an open, inviting personality, while the Reserve is decidedly more mineral-driven and pointed. Vintage 2007 was the driest year at Mount Eden since 1977. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2022. Mount Eden is a reference point winery, especially known for fine, ageworthy Chardonnays. I tasted a wide range of wines with Owner and Winemaker Jeffrey Patterson, one of the pioneers of the Santa Cruz Mountains. Mount Eden has a new, entry-level series called Domaine Eden, which is made partially from grapes sourced from a hillside property in Saratoga that once belonged to Cinnabar and that had originally been planted with Mount Eden clones. Ideally the Mount Eden wines need to be opened well in advance, as they can be a bit awkward when young. Tel (888) 865-9463; info@mounteden.com

This is a big, vital Chardonnay brimming with fresh acids and oak, whose underlying pineapple, pear and lemon-lime flavors are delicious. Despite the richness, it’s dry and crisp in acidity, with a minerally tang. Drink now.——S.H.(2/1/2011)—— 94