Chardonnay Mount Harlan 2017 Calera

Professional reviews

Robert Parker (93)

The 2017 Chardonnay Mount Harlan went through full malolactic and aged 15 months in 30% new French oak. The nose unfurls to mushroom tart, prosciutto, baked quince and golden apples with a streak of crushed shell/saline plus accents of orange blossoms, jasmine and hazelnuts. Light to medium-bodied, it's minerally on the entry, slowly spreading savory wings in the mouth, lifted by tangy acidity and finishing long, bright and mineral again. I love the dynamic character of this wine. 1,900 cases produced.

Vinous (90)

Calera's 2017 Chardonnay Mt. Harlan is silky and understated, with a bit more early appeal and less of the phenolic, savory structure that is often found in this wine, one of the estate's flagship bottlings. The Mt. Harlan Chardonnay now spends 15 months in barrel (rather than the 11 or so that were common in the past), which softens some of the contours and adds sleekness.

BOW (8.25)

Wine Enthusiast (96)

Hailing from Josh Jensen's iconic vineyard at 2,200 feet above the Salinas Valley, this is an epic Chardonnay, loaded with clean, lively aromas of cherimoya, honeysuckle, sweet cream, crisp peach, struck flint and chive. The palate is tightly wound, with flavors of lemon spray, seared nectarine, sea salt and toasted oak.