# Mount Eden Estate Cabernet Sauvignon (2018)

- **Producer:** Mount Eden Vineyards
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot, Malbec
- **Region:** California, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 14.0%
- **Average price:** €100
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** black cherry, dried herbs, redcurrant, mint, cherry, mulberry, blackcurrant, plum, roasted nut, spice, toasted mahogany, incense, sweet oak, chocolate, vanilla, sandalwood, lead pencil, stewed shiitake, warm gravel, dark mahogany, charred herbs, underbrush, earth, pumice

## About this wine

The Mount Eden Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 is a distinguished red wine from Mount Eden Vineyards in California's Santa Cruz Mountains. The vineyard's high-altitude, cool-coastal location on Franciscan shale soils contributes to its distinctive character. Founded in 1945, Mount Eden Vineyards is known for its small-lot production and a winemaking philosophy focused on natural expression. Winemaker Jeffrey Patterson has guided the estate since 1981, prioritizing gentle handling of the grapes. The low-yielding vines, some dating back to the 1950s, are a key factor in the wine's concentrated profile. The 2018 vintage is noted for its classic Santa Cruz Mountains style, reflecting the region's inherent elegance and acidity.

## Interesting facts

- Vineyard sits at 2,000 ft elevation on infertile shale.
- Original vines planted in the 1950s yield scant fruit.
- Winemaker emphasizes 'wine growing, not winemaking'.
- Unfined and unfiltered production.

## Food pairing

The wine's firm tannins and refreshing acidity are well-suited to complement the richness of proteins and cut through fatty elements. Herbal notes in the wine can echo and enhance similar flavors in dishes, while dark fruit characteristics can harmonize with savory sauces.

## Wine making process

The Mount Eden Estate Cabernet Sauvignon is produced using a philosophy of 'wine growing rather than winemaking,' emphasizing gentleness and naturalness. Fermentation is often initiated with native yeasts. The wine is aged for approximately two years in French and American oak barrels, a mix of new and used. Production includes unfined and unfiltered bottling. The vineyard is farmed sustainably without irrigation, and its low-yielding nature is a key characteristic.