Mount Eden 11/14/08

Jeffrey Patterson came to K&L and poured some current releases. Met up with a few friends for the tasting, and brought Jeff a Purple Basil Jelly.

'07 Chardonnay (Arroyo Seco) ($18)
Nose - minerally, rich, full, citrusy.
Pert, melting, mild intensity, exotic oak, lemon zest, slightest hint of apricot. (88 pts)
This is a really enjoyable drink now wine at a reasonable price.

'05 Chardonnay "Estate" (SCM) ($55)
Nose - "cool", lychee, restrained lemon and a good degree of that hard to explain SCM character.
Brown oak frame, lemon, zest, lychee, good acid, good intensity, but tight and shy. Long zesty finish. Needs cellaring - this will be spectacular in 15+ years. (94+ pts)

'05 Pinot Noir "Saratoga Cuvee" (SCM) ($30)
Nose - sweet red fruit, there's a rustic note and a touch of rhubarb, strawberry jam.
Minerally, pert, ripe strawberry, red plum, flint, rhubarb, soft dusty tannin, round feel. Very enjoyable now and should show good maturity in about 5 years. (92 pts)
I was surprised how good this was!

'06 Pinot Noir "Estate" (SCM) ($45)
Nose - Shy, brooding, intense, dark.
Hits the palate with a wall of intensity - dark plum, lemon and orange zest, green grape tomato "smokiness" and fruit, glycerin, red currant. Good soft dusty tannin structure, pert acidity. Love it! Should peak in about 8-10 years. (94 pts)
Has a little bit of the signature common to all the Cronin Peter Martin Ray Vyd. Pinots, which I really have a fetish for.

'04 Cabernet Sauvignon "Saratoga Cuvee" (SCM) ($25)
Nose - Rich, round, soft, red clay, cassis.
"Smoky", rustic, cassis, mandarin zest, dark spice, dusty tannin. Ready now. (90 pts)
I think Dave Tong would really dig this one.

'05 Cabernet Sauvignon "Estate" (SCM) ($55)
Nose - very dark, brambly, zesty blackberry.
Rich, dark, tart, smoke, sandalwood, grippy tannin, lemon zest, gritty coal, touch of sweet oak, cedar. Could use 10 years. (92 pts)