In the late 194s and early 196s, Martin Ray planted six acres of chardonnay vines propagated from a Burgundian selection grown in the original Paul Masson vineyard. We now farm 2 acres of estate chardonnay, from which we produce 1,2 to 2, cases per year. Yields average one to two tons per acre, far below the average for chardonnay in California. Our Estate Chardonnay grapes are harvested when slightly yellow to yellow-green and are pressed without crushing. All of the juice is barrel-fermented in new and one year old French Burgundy barrels, where the wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation and is aged on the lees for ten months before being lightly filtered prior to bottling. The Chardonnay is then cellared for two years before being released for sale. The full bodied Estate Chardonnay displays fine underlying acidity and a long finish. Hints of cardamom, anise and hazelnut add interest to the core lemon, mineral flavors. Of all Mount Eden’s estate-grown wines, the Chardonnay is most in need of further bottle aging at release, requiring an additional two to four years to fully reveal its true character. Many vintages are still fresh and enjoyable after fifteen years, explaining why Mount Eden Estate Chardonnay is considered one of California’s longest-lived white wines.