Winemaker Notes
A light gossamer gold, the 2017 vintage opens with clean, fresh scents of kiwi, citrus zest, and nectarine. A mineral character calls to mind the rock formations found inside caves. Crisp entry leads into a striking softness and creamy texture. The flavor of lemon squares offers a perfect balance, neither too tart nor too sweet. A faint smokiness is characteristic of wines made from grapes grown in windier stretches of Monterey County. The finish features traces of lemon and lime, filling the mouth with bright notes and lingering freshness.
Note: Mer Soleil Silver Unoaked Chardonnay is currently transitioning from a ceramic bottle to a clear glass bottle. Until this transition is complete, we cannot guarantee which bottle will be available in your market at this time.
Professional Ratings
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Wilfred Wong of Wine.com
COMMENTARY: I understand that the new wave of Chardonnay lovers is into the "unoaked" phase. I can emphasize that "it is all about the fruit." The 2017 Mer Soleil Silver is a nicely done example of this genre. TASTING NOTES: This wine stretches its apple nuances from start to finish. Pair its brightness with pan-fried pork chops with caramelized pineapple rings. (Tasted: July 12, 2019, San Francisco, CA)
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.
A geographic and climatic paradise for grape vines, Monterey is a part of the greater Central Coast AVA and contains within it five smaller sub-appellations, including Arroyo Seco, San Lucas, San Bernabe, Hames Valley and the famous Santa Lucia Highlands. The climate is relatively warm but tempered by cool, coastal winds, allowing the regions in Monterey County an exceptionally long growing season. Bud break often happens two weeks sooner and harvest tends to be two weeks later compared to other surrounding regions.
Monterey’s coastal side, where the cooling ocean fog allows grapes to develop a perfect sugar-acid balance, excels in the production of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Riesling. Warmer, inland subzones are home to fleshy, concentrated and full-bodied reds like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Zinfandel.
Chardonnay, covering about 40% of vineyard acreage, is the most widely planted grape in all of Monterey County.