Mer Soleil Vineyard Central Coast, Monterey County

Mer Soleil Vineyard is a partnership between Chuck and his son Charlie Wagner II (of Caymus fame), who is winemaker. It is the northernmost site of the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation (Monterey County, California) and the closest vineyard in the appellation to Monterey Bay. With its ocean influences, morning fog patterns and afternoon breezes, it is one of the coolest, driest vineyard sites in California. The extended growing season - harvesting typically continues into November - produces ripe, golden Chardonnay clusters with multiple aromas and flavours. Charlie also makes Mer Soleil LATE, a late-harvest dessert wine made from Viognier and first released in fall 2002

Chardonnay 2006 Central Coast Mer Soleil Chardonnay is made to express the generous, sun-ripened, tropical flavours of California. The original intent, with the 1992 vintage, was to produce a big, weighty, oaky blockbuster of a Chardonnay, but as time went on, the vineyard began to produce wines that were somewhat different. Rather than being firm and oaky, the wines showed more softness and spice. Flavour is the major force of Mer Soleil. We view this wine as a distinctive California style, standing apart from Chablis and other Chardonnays from Burgundy. The grapes are whole-cluster pressed and the wine is barrel fermented and aged in French oak barrels. Aromas of mango, lemon peel, honeysuckle and brown spices emerge from the glass. In the mouth, an immediate impression of ripe tropical fruits, butter, vanilla and honey. As the wine coats the tongue, a crisper note of citrus unfolds. The texture is dense and viscous, and the ripe-fruit sweetness and fresh acidity interplay as the wine lingers on the palate long after the last sip.

"Silver" Unoaked Chardonnay 2006 Santa Lucia highlands The name Mer Soleil is synonymous with the complex, oaky, toasty, buttery style of California chardonnay that we adore, but what would the wine be like without that layer of flavour? Well, this is it. A pure, stainless steel fermented un-oaked version of the famous Chardonnay. It shows a pure, minerally Monterey style, with vibrant fruit and acidity. "Probably the most expensive unoaked Chard out there, this is a stunning wine, showing the laserlike purity and bright acids that this northwestern part of the Highlands coaxes from the grapes. The brilliantly illuminated flavours range from limes to kiwis to green aples, peaches and guavas. The finish is dry, but with a honeyed unctuousness that could be a touch of botrytis." 92 points, Wine Enthusiast Dec 2007

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All wines are available by the unmixed case to Licensees and Private Consumers, subject to availability.

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