2012 Chardonnay Reserve
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Tasting notes
The 2012 Chardonnay Reserve showcases a distinctively flinty, smoky note on the nose absent in the Estate bottling, no doubt due to the extra year spent in stainless tank. This is a deeper, broader and slower rise throughout, requiring patience in the glass and suggesting considerable aging potential. Still exceptionally youthful and vibrant, it is difficult to choose a favorite between this and 2013; to my palate, the latter narrowly wins due to its additional power and intensity. Across all varietals, this early 2010s era is a highlight of Mount Eden's history.
Critic scores
Average Score
Robert Parker
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2012 Chardonnay Reserve is absolutely gorgeous. Vivid and pure, with notable intensity but no excess weight, the 2012 has everything going on. Chamomile, white flowers, mint and white pepper give the wine its natural brightness and lift. Graphite, slate and a host of more mineral-inflected notes add complexity through to the long, articulate finish. Mount Eden's Chardonnay is one of the truly great wines of California. The 2012 Reserve is not a big wine, but it is sublime, even if it is a bit closed today. Even so, the wine's pedigree is first-class all the way. Quite simply, Mount Eden's Reserve is one of the best Chardonnays, not just in the United States, but in the world.