From the winery:
Mer Soleil and Silver Chardonnays are both products of the same fruit from the Santa Lucia Highlands appellation of Monterey County. The difference between the two Chardonnays is the fermentation process. Mer Soleil is fermented in French oak barrels chosen from an array of coopers, while Silver never sees the inside of a barrel. Winemaker, Charlie Wagner, uses modern fermentation and aging methods utilizing both stainless steel and cement tanks for Silver unoaked Chardonnay.
The fruit for Starmont Chardonnay is grown in our favorite cooler areas of the Napa Valley, including the Oak Knoll District and Carneros, including our Stanly Ranch Estate Vineyard, where the maritime influence keeps the focus on crisp, vibrant fruit. The fruit was carefully sorted and whole-cluster pressed to preserve freshness. The light oak treatment gives a round mouth feel and improved complexity, while highlighting the fruit driven focus of the wine.
Color: golden straw
Aroma: crisp apple, tangerine, apricot tart, citrus blossom, white flowers, subtle toast, vanilla, stone fruit
Taste: bright focused entry to a round, fleshy mid-palate; apple, citrus and stone fruit with a hint of toast and spice; long, lingering finish. - See more at: http://www.merryvale.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=winedetails.displaywinetype&WineTypeID=2#sthash.YCe4ezdX.dpuf
Color: golden straw
Aroma: crisp apple, tangerine, apricot tart, citrus blossom, white flowers, subtle toast, vanilla, stone fruit
Taste: bright focused entry to a round, fleshy mid-palate; apple, citrus and stone fruit with a hint of toast and spice; long, lingering finish. - See more at: http://www.merryvale.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=winedetails.displaywinetype&WineTypeID=2#sthash.YCe4ezdX.dpuf