Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay from Monterey County and the Santa Lucia Highlands is known for its balance of creaminess, fresh acidity, and layered fruit and floral notes.

2024 Reserve Chardonnay

• Nose: Meyer lemon zest, Pacific Ocean brine, creamy texture.
• Palate: Soft, creamy entry with a wisp of fresh, natural acidity; flavors of mandarin orange, honeysuckle, and a hint of apricot.
• Style: Fresh and light, with lively character balanced by roundness from neutral oak.
• Food pairings: Pan-seared sea bass, Mediterranean chicken, pesto pasta.

2021 Reserve Chardonnay (Santa Lucia Highlands)

• Nose: Baked croissant, apricot, lemon/lime, honeysuckle.
• Palate: Round and creamy, with lemon squares and bright natural acidity.
• Style differentiator: Creamy yet fresh, balanced by lively citrus.
• Winemaking: 11 months in new and used French oak; partial malolactic fermentation; hand-stirred barrels for creaminess.
• Food pairings: Pan-seared Chilean sea bass, sizzling crab cakes, creamy fettuccine alfredo with Parmigiano-Reggiano
• Color: Golden.
• Aromas: Peach, apple, Meyer lemon, baking spices.
• Palate: Peach, D’Anjou pear, tropical notes (pineapple, banana), warm butterscotch, subtle coconut.
• Balance: Vibrant acidity with luscious, mouth-filling richness.

Key takeaways

Across vintages, Mer Soleil Reserve Chardonnay delivers creamy texture, bright citrus, and floral hints, with the 2024 showing a lighter, fresher profile and the 2021 more robust and buttery. Both are well-suited to ocean-inspired seafood, rich pasta, and Mediterranean dishes.

If you want a creamy yet refreshing Chardonnay with regional character, Mer Soleil’s Reserve is a strong choice, especially for pairing with fresh, flavorful seafood.