Reserve Chardonnay 2021, US-MS-210001 (Mer Soleil)

Drink now or cellar up to 10 years. Will benefit from decanting. Mer Soleil is located in the Santa Lucia Highlands which is a 12-mile long, narrow strip of an appellation wedged along the eastern hillsides of the Santa Lucia mountain range. It is a cool-climate wine growing district, ideally placed to benefit from warm morning sun followed aby maritime winds and fog in the afternoon. This is where the name comes from - sea (mer) and sun (soleil). This weather pattern prolongs the growing season and means long, gentle ripening of the grapes resulting in rich, full bodied wines. The wine is fermented and aged in French oak barrels for 12-15 months prior to bottling. Only a portion of the wine goes through malolactic fermentation, to ensure a bright natural acidity. Hand stirring of the barrels captures more essence and imparts a creamy textural component. A deep golden colour promises much. On the nose ripe stone fruit, yellow apple and citrus are prominent, with hints of vanilla - complex and warm. The palate offers a rich, layered wine with peach, pear, pineapple, coconut and banana. Great acidity is balanced with high alcohol to provide a rich mouth feel that has vanilla and buttery tones. The wine is full bodied and luscious - a really exceptional example of Chardonnay at its best. The finish is long and buttery making you want another glass! Will match fabulously with lobster, fish, veal and chicken.