A spotlight on Eden Rift
The ethereal wines of California’s Eden Rift, the oldest, continually operational family-owned winery in the United States, have finally hit our shores. Available exclusively in Australia at Langtons, Ned Goodwin MW dives into these energetic, terroir-driven wines.
Estate Pinot Noir
Terraces Pinot Noir
Lansdale Pinot Noir
Estate Chardonnay
Reserve Chardonnay
Estate Pinot Noir
The Estate Pinot Noir is a stunning entry point, comprised of Dijon clones 115, 828, and 777. Vinification includes 30% whole cluster fermentation with spontaneous yeasts. Aged 10 months in French oak (30% new), the wine is focused, age-worthy and of an appealing immediacy on one hand, depth and an intensity of red fruits, from cranberry to persimmon, on the other. The tannins, a svelte caress. A stellar performance, the wine received 95 points from James Suckling.
Terraces Pinot Noir
Eden’s Terraces Pinot Noir fruit is handpicked and sorted, then fermented wild in open-tops and a single amphora, replete with 83 percent whole-bunch. Aged for 15 months in French oak, a considerable percentage new, this is a palpable step up from the Estate, with multitudinous layers of cinnamon oak, blue and red pastille, compressed by an autumnal swathe of porcini-dusted tannins, silken knit, that build across the mid-weighted palate with air.
Lansdale Pinot Noir
The Lansdale Pinot Noir is sourced from the propitiously sited Q-Block, exposed and meagre at the crest of the contiguous valley that comprises the estate. According to the Wine Advocate, “The wine has an intense, dark hue with overt black and blue tones in the bouquet. Aromas of black cherry, blueberry, sagebrush and baking spices exude from the glass. These notes stay true on the palate as flavours of blackberry, forest floor, cherry pit and oak carry through. Replete with acidity, the tannins are firm with an expansive attack that will allow this wine to age in the cellar.” 94 points.
Estate Chardonnay
The Estate Chardonnay is whole-bunch pressed, barrel fermented on native yeasts, and aged in 100% French oak barrels (18% new) for 10 months. Unlike most Australian offerings, this impeccably balanced Chardonnay went through 100% Malolactic conversion, resplendent with batonnage twice per month, for six months. This serves to amass glycerol and a creamy palate weight, while enhancing a zesty tangerine top note, accents of white peach and glazed quince. There is an oatmeal breadth, too, derived from the lees handling. Appealing generosity here. Advocate: 94 points. Suckling: 95 points.
Reserve Chardonnay
The Reserve Chardonnay is a barrel cull, eventuating in a meld of four, all from Block A. Handpicked, whole-bunch pressed and barrel fermented under the aegis of ambient yeast, before 10 months on lees. The result is one of mineral-clad tension, with stone fruit allusions, toasted hazelnut, vanilla and a creamy plume across the tenacious finish.
“When I first tasted these wines blind, I couldn’t believe I wasn’t tasting quality Burgundy. We just had to get these wines into Langton's.”
Ned Goodwin MW