Calera winery has been making wine for almost 50 years. But few people ever visit this winery. It’s way off the normal wine experience, being sequestered in the Gavilan Mountain range near the tiny town of Hollister. But that is also its best quality. There is a lovely viscosity to this Chardonnay - a thickness that rolls over the tongue. Yes, you will find the requisite lemon chiffon, lime kefir, white peach, green apple and Asian pear. There are also deeper, richer notes from the malolactic fermentation - light caramel, butterscotch and resin, partially coming from the aging of this wine in 30% new French oak barrels. One of the reasons this Chardonnay works so well is a solid core of acidity running through the entire wine. Much of that is due to the limestone soils on Mt. Harlan, creating the acidity and a noticeable mineral component. ORIGIN: Mt. Harlan, San Benito County, California. ALCOHOL: 14.5%
