Calera Central Coast Chardonnay 2021

Drink now or cellar for up to 5 years. Serve chilled. Josh Jensen founded Calera in 1974 after a long search for the ideal terroir to create elegant Burgundian-style Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines with a distinctive California character. The visionary winemaker eventually found the perfect spot in the Gabilan Mountains in what is now called the Mt. Harlan AVA. Today the Calera estate consists of 31 hectares which are certified as organic and have an average altitude of 670 metres above sea level. Calera’s Central Coast Chardonnay showcases the elegance and finesse of the estate’s wines which have helped establish the region as one of California’s rising stars. Grapes for this bottling are sourced from some of the Central Coast’s finest vineyards where the proximity to the Pacific Ocean and moderate altitude help to moderate the hot summer conditions. This makes it ideal for premium winemaking by helping to preserve the natural freshness and aromatics of the Chardonnay grape. Once in the winery the grapes are pressed and the wine is fermented and aged in French oak barrels. Calera uses just 5% new oak barrels to minimise the oak influence and avoid overwhelming the delicate character of the grape variety and the terroir. Luscious tropical fruit, lemon zest, apple and cedar notes define the nose while on the palate there are hints of brioche, toasted nuts, pineapple and mango.

Price: £23.75 from 8wines UK