Coming from an extreme drought vintage with minuscule yields, the 2014 Chardonnay Estate combines a flashy, nearly flamboyant nose with a linear, precise structure. Aromas of yellow apple, Asian pear, chalk dust and smoke waft from the glass. The texture features substantial mid-palate concentration propped up by quenching streaks of acidity that propel the finish of crushed stones and baking spices. Extended aeration congeals the split personality of this wine, making for one of the more fascinating vintages in the modern era of Mount Eden.

The 2014 Chardonnay (Santa Cruz Mountains) is a rich, almost viscous wine endowed with palpable intensity in all of its dimensions. Orange peel, apricot, mint, wild flowers and chamomile are all nicely pushed forward. Deceptive in its mid-weight feel, the 2014 possesses quite a bit of structure. Even so, it is the wine's precision and energy that I find most impressive at this stage. I would give the 2014 at least a few years to fully come together, as it is pretty tightly wound, even after a few hours of aeration.