Tasting Notes

Release Date: Spring 2014

2012 was a magical year--the winter was dry but just adequate for us to dry-farm our vines. The start of the growing season was smooth and somewhat late.  Summer weather afforded ideal flowering and most importantly,  the harvest time was cool and constant.

The Domaine vineyard is planted to a mosaic of heritage selections including Mount Eden, Swan, Calera and Martini with Dijon clones 828, 667, and 777. This architecture is permanent and artistic. The mix of subtle DNA has an influence on the mystery of serious Pinot Noir. Ultimately though, it is the site: soil, slope and weather, that determines the terroir signature.

Youthful aromas of cherry, wild strawberry, pomegranate, and raspberry are abundant along with the classic Santa Cruz Mountains soil.  This Pinot has medium weight on the palate with a beautiful, slightly firm texture and solid mid-palate fruit.

With proper cellaring, this vintage should gain in complexity and hedonism for the next 6-7 years and continue to hold for another decade.

Production

1,828

Tech Notes

Yield: 2.8 tons per acre

Harvest: September 9th-26th

Numbers @ Harvest: 23.6° Brix, 3.45 pH, 6.5 grams acidity

Barrel Regimen: French Burgundy-40% new; aged 11 months in barrel

Bottling: August 2013; no fining or filtration

Alcohol: 14.5%

Reviews

90 points Wine Enthusiast Magazine - December 2014

Sour cranberry juice aromas mix with wet slate, strawberry soda, black olives and charred beets on this bottling from historic Mount Eden’s more affordable series. It’s crisp and clean once sipped, with ripe cranberry fruit picking up oregano and marjoram herbs and a nice tartness on the back end.—MK

90 points Robert Parker Jr's The Wine Advocate - October 2015

Issue #221

A juicy, spice-filled Pinot Noir that has a lot of charm, the 2012 Pinot Noir Domaine Eden reveals a medium ruby color to go with upfront notes of mulled cherries, charred herbs and toasted spice. Medium-bodied, supple, nicely textured and with plenty of fruit, it’s a juicy, nicely made effort to drink over the coming 5-6 years.—Jeb Dunnuck

88 points Antonio Galloni presents Vinous - July 2014

The 2012 Pinot Noir is a pretty, silky wine with plenty of near term appeal. Sweet red berries, flowers and spices meld together nicely in the glass. Overall, the Domaine Eden Pinot is forward, bright and nicely done. Drink 2014-2020

88 points BEST BUY Wine & Spirits Magazine - October 2014

This comes from a vineyard near Mount Eden’s home estate, at 1,650 feet. It’s reduced at first, but it improves with air, the posh cherry-red ripeness of its fruit supported by gripping tannins that speak to its mountain origins. Open it in another year or two with duck breast.

88 points Wine Spectator - Web Only 2015

Intense, with a dusty savory edge to the dried berry, anise, cedar, loamy earth and crushed rock nuances. Ends with firm, gritty tannins. This wine begs for some cellar time. Drink now through 2024.–JL