2017 MER SOLEIL SANTA LUCIA HIGHLANDS RESERVE PINOT NOIR

What comes after building one of the most successful Chardonnay brands in the Santa Lucia Highlands?  Lucky for us it’s Pinot Noir, and for Charlie Wagner, son of Caymus founder Chuck Wagner, it was a natural progression to produce a Pinot Noir from Santa Lucia Highlands, because the area is perfectly suited for ripening Burgundian varieties.  The area’s topography and proximity to the Pacific Ocean allows for a long hang time, and in many areas, the fruit is able to reach optimum maturity, resulting in profound flavors. The 2017 marks the inaugural release of Charlie’s Reserve Pinot under the Mer Soleil moniker, and after tasting the release, it’s abundantly clear that he’s hit the ground running with a wine that’s destined for success.

The Santa Lucia Highlands is known for producing Pinots with great depth, often showing cherry-berry pie and exotic spices, and the Mer Soleil Reserve embellishes these qualities with stunning intensity and balance.  In addition to Mer Soleil, Charlie also heads the popular Conundrum brand, and also launched Red Schooner, where he’s harvesting Malbec grapes from Argentina that are then shipped to Napa Valley where they’re vinified at Caymus Winery… Caymus Family Connection. Here’s a terrific opportunity to jump on board with his latest endeavor that’s about to make waves in the California Pinot Noir realm…