89+ 2012 Mer Soleil Silver Chardonnay Santa Lucia Highlands (Caymus) 5/17/14 ($20)
14.8% alc
Color: Pretty medium gold. (3.0) Bouquet: Elegant green olives and ripe guava and papaya fruit with some minerality. (3.0) Body: Solid middleweight plus with very good acidity keeping the excellent ripe fruit balanced. Tangy/rich mineral/fruit mouthfeel. (3.0) Flavor: Parallels bouquet with multilayered fruit. Does show slight bitterness, but still very attractive. (3.0) Finish: Long and interesting, but again shows a slight bitter minerality. Probably needs a little time. (3.0)
Overall: This unoaked Chardonnay is of interest because it comes from a vineyard of excellent quality and the absence of oak makes the mineral character of the vineyard shine. Has ripe guava and papaya fruit with an elegant green olive nuance. Does show some youthful bitterness due to the minerality, which should smooth with 2-4 years bottle age. Not your typical CA Chardonnay for sure. Should appeal to fans of white Rhones, richer white Bordeaux and dry Chenin Blanc. Excellent value. (15.0)
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