Mer Soleil 2006 "Silver" Unoaked Chardonnay

Mer Soleil's new "Silver" Chardonnay is, as the name suggests, an alternative to the gold label. There is no oak on the Silver and not much that is heavy, or rich and buttery either. What there is is plenty of refreshingly clean and minerally Chardonnay fruit that make an absolutely delicious wine. Produced by Chuck Wagner of Caymus Vineyards and his son, Charlie in the Santa Lucia Highlands.

Mer Soleil Silver Chardonnay is made to capture the pure, clean expression of Chardonnay when it first ripens in the Mer soleil Vineyard in the Santa Lucia Highlands of Monterey County. The wine expresses natural characteristics derived from the minerals in the soil and tropical elements from the "terroir" of the Pacific coastline. To maintain the fresh fruit character and bright acidity, they fermented the wine in temperature-controlled vats.