Winemaker Notes
Grown high on the limestone-rich soils of Mt. Harlan, this wine is an aromatic beauty, revealing layers of jasmine, citrus, stone fruits and chaparral. On the palate, it is both lush and lively, with alluring layers of white peach, vanilla bean and lemon zest balanced by bright cool-climate acidity and a soft, supple mouthfeel that adds to the lingering richness of the finish.
Blend: 100% Chardonnay
Professional Ratings
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James Suckling
Extremely aromatic with butterscotch, cooked apple, toffee and hints of pear tart. Full-bodied, layered and intense but shows a softness and juiciness. Flavorful finish. Touch of grilled oak. Complex and classic in nature.
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Wine Enthusiast
From vines that shed a miniscule 1.77 tons per acre, this bottling pushes floral aromas of honeysuckle and gardenia atop the buttery brioche, seared apple and macadamia nut elements. The palate is salty and citrus-washed, with a core of savory, pan-toasted nut flavors.
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: The 2019 Calera Mt. Harlan Chardonnay is a wine to be savored. TASTING NOTES: This wine shines with aromas and flavors of ripe fruit, dried herbs, savory spices, and hints of oak. Pair it with lightly breaded, pan-fried abalone steaks. (Tasted: December 18, 2021, San Francisco, CA)
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Wine Spectator
Sleek and juicy, with lemon curd, pear and papaya flavors that are intense and mouthwatering, backed by notes of salted saltine and dried ginger on the finish. Drink now.
One of the most popular and versatile white wine grapes, Chardonnay offers a wide range of flavors and styles depending on where it is grown and how it is made. While it tends to flourish in most environments, Chardonnay from its Burgundian homeland produces some of the most remarkable and longest lived examples. California produces both oaky, buttery styles and leaner, European-inspired wines. Somm Secret—The Burgundian subregion of Chablis, while typically using older oak barrels, produces a bright style similar to the unoaked style. Anyone who doesn't like oaky Chardonnay would likely enjoy Chablis.
At elevations reaching well over 2,000 feet, the Mt. Harlan AVA in the Gabilan Range is an anomaly among its surrounding Central Coast appellations. Recognizing the splendor of the area and its ideal limestone-rich soils, Josh Jensen chose Mt. Harlan as the home of his Calera Wine Company in the 1970s. Awarded his own AVA in 1990, Calera is the only commercial winery in the appellation.