Mer Soleil Silver Chardonnay 2012

Photo by Mer Soleil

This unoaked Chardonnay from the Santa Lucia Highlands in California comes in a distinctive ceramic bottle which "reflects the small cement wine tanks" used in making this Chablis-like wine. It has a sharp, dry mineral taste with just the right amount of fruit. It is crisp and smooth, perfect with fish and quite nice just for drinking.

It is from the Wagner family, who are behind Caymus, Conundrum and other well-known wines. This wine retails at $24 and was on sale during a tasting at Magruders for just $16, a true steal.

The highlands are described as a cool grape growing region so that the result is a "pure wine with all the vitality and mineral character of the earth." It does in fact have a feeling of terroir missing from the oaky Chardonnays that just taste of wood and have a buttery mouthfeel. I don't often buy wines in this price range, but this is one that might be worth it.