96 Points - Wine Enthusiast
2017 Calera Mt. Harlan Chardonnay
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Calera’s Mt. Harlan Vineyards are located in the Gavilan Mountains 25 miles east of the Monterey Bay. The site was chosen for its limestone soils and ideal climate. At an average elevation of 2,200 feet it is among the highest and coolest vineyard sites in California.
Wine Spectator
91
Wine Enthusiast
96
Wine & Spirits
93
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Content: 100% Chardonnay; Cooperage: 100% French oak, 30% new, 10% second vintage, 60% neutral, 100% malolactic fermentation
Winemaker Notes
Grown high on the limestone-rich soils of Mt. Harlan, this is a sleek and sophisticated expression of cool-climate Chardonnay, with alluring aromas of guava, Mandarin orange, fennel and hints of cedar. On the palate, the wine’s lovely weight and lush texture is balanced by a bright natural acidity that adds purity and precision to the generous white peach and passionfruit flavors.
Production
A wet winter, with more than double our average annual rainfall, made for very happy vineyards in 2017. While budbreak arrived slightly later than usual, warm spring weather led to excellent fruit sets at our Mt. Harlan vineyards, with above-average yields for both Pinot Noir and our white varieties. Thanks to the abundant early season rains, and Mt. Harlan’s high elevation and marine-influenced climate, our estate vineyards weathered a significant Labor Day heat event wonderfully, producing complex and elegant wines, with beautifully balanced acids and sugars.
Wine Specs
Wine Specs
Vintage
2017
Varietal
Chardonnay
Appellation
Mt. Harlan
Harvest Date
October 12 - 19, 2017
Sugar
24.5° Brix at harvest
Acid
0.66 g/100 ml titratable acidity
pH
3.29
Aging
15 Months in Barrel
Fermentation
25 days fermentation at 60°F
Alcohol %
14.50
Wine Spectator
91
Wine Enthusiast
96
Wine & Spirits
93
