Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay 2021

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 by 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 - compl