Mer Soleil Chardonnay Central Coast Barrel Fermented 2008

This shows the ripe tropical fruit of a fine vintage, yet maintains the keen citrusy acidity that makes this vineyard's Chards so balanced and ageworthy. Beneath the pineapple marmalade, apricot and caramelly oak flavors is a rich, flinty minerality that cries out for lobster.

So named for the influence of both the sea ("mer") and sun ("soleil") on the grapes, the Mer Soleil perfectly balances the acidity and ripe fruit perfectly, and then tops it all off with a judicious amount of oak. Incredibly rich and creamy, with lots of buttered popcorn, banana cream pie and all sorts of other buttery pastry flavors - it's practically its own dessert!

Holy smokes! The huge aromas of ripe banana and saffron waft up from the glass even before you attempt to smell it. Aged in French oak, this wine has all the flavors that you could want from oak without going overboard: it's full bodied, incredibly rich and round (almost pulpy), and it coats the palate like melted butter. The flavors of banana cream pie and lemon are perfectly intertwined and balanced, and linger on long after you finish your first sip.

Once again the 2007 Mer Soleil does not disappoint. Lemon cream pie with a graham cracker crust slides around on the palate in a creamy richness that coats all the way to the long, lingering finish. Aged in French oak, this Chardonnay from Chuck Wagner is drinking great now and will continue to do so for the next 6-8 years. Drink this wine with grilled swordfish with lemon.

The 2004 Mer Soleil Chardonnay Barrel Fermented possesses good acidity, but more smoke, ripe pear and pineapple, and a nutty component from the wood barrels. It should keep for 3-4 years.

An opulent Chardonnay with rich tropical fruit and honeyed apple flavors. Although the oak influence is obvious, the finish is clean, delicious and not overdone.

Smooth, rich and creamy, with layers of complex pear, fig, vanilla and apricot. Long aftertaste echoes smoke and toast. Drink now through 2004.