Tasting Notes

Release Date:  1996

Mount Eden has been working toward this vintage style for a long time. The new blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon and 22% Merlot along with 3% Cabernet Franc reflects what we feel best suits our mountain terroir. (After all we've been thinking about it for twenty-five years.)

Consistent with all of our estate wines, the yields are small, the berries are small, and the wine is big; yet the tannins, so critical in Cabernet, are softer, allowing the black cherry-dark chocolate melange to speak more clearly.

Production

1,204

Tech Notes

Sorry, technical notes not available for this vintage.

Reviews

88 points Robert Parker Jr's The Wine Advocate - August 1996

Issue #106

Mount Eden’s Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is made from grapes grown in parcels of their vineyard not included in their Old Vine cuvee. I found it to be a very strong effort. It is tannic and dense, with earthy, blackcurrant, and licorice scents and flavors, and considerable body and richness. However, it is backward and almost formidably tannic. The wine possesses a good inner-core of sweet fruit, as well as admirable length, but I would recommend cellaring it for 7-8 years; it will keep for 15-20 years. Made from 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Merlot, and 3% Cabernet Franc, it is an undervalued wine that should be high on readers’ “must purchase” lists.

California Grapevine 

Medium-dark to dark ruby color with purplish edges; intense, tarrish, cedary, tight berry fruit aromas with oaky overtones; full body; big, rich, high-extract, cedary, berry fruit flavors; full tannin; dry, rough, tannic finish; lingering aftertaste. Superior quality. This wine has quite a bit of tannin but is also packed with fruit and should reward several more years of bottle aging. Very highly recommended. Relatively good value ($18). 17pts ( 90 out of 100)