Mount Eden 2020 Edna Valley Wolff Vyd. Old Vines Chardonnay

A golden hue in the glass, this bottling from a vineyard first planted in 1976 offers bold aromas of lemon peel, crushed almond and a hint of cheese rind on the nose. There's tremendous tension to the palate, where salted nuts, dried lemon peel and brisk tonic flavors align.

Mount Eden has been drawing from this vineyard for 35 years, the site of Edna Valley’s oldest chardonnay vines, planted in 1976. It’s all dark molasses when first poured, adorned by caramel accents and toasted grain. The old-vine structure is quite apparent in this wine; it feels sturdy and firm, not giving up much now, but with the stuffing to cellar.

Complex and distinctive, with pear, nectarine and Honeycrisp apple flavors, salted melon accents and a savory note of tarragon on an appealing fleshy, juicy frame.