Calera Central Coast Chardonnay 2021

Calera Central Coast Chardonnay 2021

 

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Calera
Central Coast Chardonnay 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : USA
  • Region : California
  • Subregion : Central Coast
  • Type : White
  • Style : Medium Bodied Aromatic Dry
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Chardonnay

The Calera Chardonnay is a standout expression of California's Central Coast, combining lush richness with vibrant minerality and bright citrus notes. This wine perfectly captures the cool-climate influence, offering balance and energy in every sip.

Experts Score Vintage
WE Wine Enthusiast 90 2021
WS Wine Spectator 91 2019
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Central Coast of California, where the Calera Chardonnay is sourced, is known for its cool-climate vineyards, influenced by the proximity to the Pacific Ocean. The Gavilan Mountains, where Calera's vineyards are located, provide high-altitude growing conditions, allowing the grapes to develop complexity and depth. The region's unique soils, rich in limestone, contribute to the wine's signature mineral-driven character.

This growing season was marked by moderate spring temperatures and one of the latest harvests on record for the Central Coast. This extended hangtime allowed the fruit to ripen slowly, leading to a wine with excellent balance, vibrant acidity, and expressive aromas. The combination of these elements has made the Central Coast one of the most exciting and dynamic wine regions in the New World.

Winemaking

The Calera Chardonnay is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes sourced from the Central Coast. The wine was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, with 10% new oak and 90% neutral barrels used to preserve the purity of the fruit while adding a subtle oak influence. The wine underwent 100% malolactic fermentation, which contributed to its creamy texture and rounded mouthfeel.

The winemaking team carefully balanced the influence of oak with the natural acidity and freshness of the Chardonnay grapes, resulting in a wine that is both rich and vibrant. The oak aging enhances the wine's complexity without overwhelming its bright citrus and fruit-forward flavors.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Light golden yellow, with a brilliant and clear appearance.
  • Aroma: The nose is lively and inviting, with aromas of green apple, mango, and summer grass, underscored by a subtle note of oak and minerality.
  • Palate: On the palate, this Chardonnay shows its cool-climate roots with vibrant citrus flavors of lemon and orange, complemented by energetic acidity. The wine has a beautifully balanced mouthfeel, with a touch of creaminess from the malolactic fermentation, leading to a long and bright finish with hints of minerality.

Did you know?

The name Calera, meaning "lime kiln" in Spanish, refers to the rich limestone soils that define the terroir of the estate’s vineyards. These soils play a key role in the minerality and complexity of Calera's wines, and the winery’s founder, Josh Jensen, was inspired by the limestone soils of Burgundy when he first planted the vineyards in the Gavilan Mountains in 1975.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Roast Chicken with Lemon and Thyme: The vibrant citrus flavors in the wine enhance the lemon and herbs in the dish, while the wine’s acidity balances the richness of the roasted chicken.
  • Seared Scallops with Herb Butter: The creamy texture of the wine complements the richness of the scallops, while the citrus and mineral notes cut through the buttery sauce, adding freshness to the pairing.
  • Butternut Squash Risotto: The wine’s subtle oak influence and creamy mouthfeel pair beautifully with the rich, earthy flavors of the risotto, while the bright acidity lifts the dish.
  • Goat Cheese Tart: The minerality and acidity of the wine balance the tangy and creamy texture of the goat cheese, creating a harmonious and refreshing pairing.

History of Calera Wines Estate

The story of Calera Wines begins in 1975, when Josh Jensen, inspired by his experience at Domaine de la Romanée-Conti in Burgundy, set out to replicate the unique terroir he had encountered in France. After studying at Yale and Oxford, Jensen worked at renowned Burgundy estates, where he developed a passion for Pinot Noir and the limestone soils essential to producing great wines. Determined to find a similar environment in California, Jensen spent two years searching for the ideal site and finally discovered it on Mt. Harlan, in the Gavilan Mountains​​.

In 1975, Jensen purchased a remote, limestone-rich parcel of land and planted his first three estate vineyards: Jensen, Reed, and Selleck. These vineyards, located at an elevation of over 670 meters (2,200 feet), are some of the highest and coolest vineyard sites in California, ideal for producing elegant and age-worthy wines. The winery was named "Calera," the Spanish word for limekiln, in reference to the limestone kiln still standing on the property, a nod to the terroir’s rich calcareous soils​​.

Over the years, Calera has gained a reputation as one of California’s finest producers of Pinot Noir, and Jensen worked tirelessly to establish the Mt. Harlan American Viticultural Area (AVA) in 1990. Today, Calera is revered for its terroir-driven wines, including single-vineyard Pinot Noirs that express the unique character of the Mt. Harlan vineyards​​.

Region and Vineyards

The Mt. Harlan AVA, where Calera is located, is known for its extreme climate and elevation. Situated in the Gavilan Mountains, about 40 kilometers east of Monterey Bay, the vineyards benefit from the cooling marine air that sweeps over the site, maintaining lower temperatures compared to other wine regions in California. This allows for a long growing season, which preserves the natural acidity of the grapes while encouraging slow, even ripening​.

The vineyards of Mt. Harlan are planted in limestone-rich soils, which contribute to the wines' signature minerality and structure. The estate’s vineyards are some of the highest in California, with elevations reaching up to 760 meters (2,500 feet). The winery owns six vineyard parcels, including Jensen, Reed, Selleck, Mills, de Villiers, and Ryan, all known for producing world-class Pinot Noir and Chardonnay​​.

Wine Range

Calera produces a range of wines that highlight the unique terroir of Mt. Harlan and the Central Coast. Their portfolio includes:

  • Single-Vineyard Pinot Noirs: From the Jensen, Selleck, Reed, Ryan, Mills, and de Villiers vineyards, these wines are the flagship of Calera’s production, each expressing the individual characteristics of its site.
  • Chardonnay: The Mt. Harlan Chardonnay is known for its rich texture and minerality, reflecting the limestone soils.
  • Viognier and Aligoté: Produced in small quantities, these varietals showcase the winery’s dedication to crafting wines with finesse.
  • Central Coast Pinot Noir and Chardonnay: These wines, sourced from premier vineyards across the Central Coast, offer excellent value and are crafted with the same attention to detail as the estate wines​​.

Did you know?

Josh Jensen was one of the earliest pioneers to recognize the potential of California Pinot Noir. His decision to plant vineyards on Mt. Harlan was considered audacious at the time due to its remote location and challenging growing conditions. Despite these obstacles, Calera is now regarded as one of the only wineries in the world with its own AVA, and Robert Parker once referred to it as “California’s Romanée-Conti”​​.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 90 Points (2021)
This appellation cuvée hits all the classic Chardonnay notes, starting with buttered stonefruit and coconut-flake aromas. Ample acidity and texture frame the familiar peach and brioche flavors of the palate.

Wine Spectator (WS) : 91 Points (2019)
Juicy, but with a soft, caressing texture showcasing precise notes of butterscotch, pear, white peach and lemon zest, while a thread of salted lime juice lingers on the finish. 

Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir 2021
Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir 2021
Calera
Central Coast Pinot Noir 2021
W&S
91
WS
90
WE
91
The Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir is an alluring and complex expression of California’s Central Coast. With vibrant fruit, soft tannins, and a subtle spice, this wine delivers a silky, nuanced experience that showcases the region's potential for producing world-class Pinot Noir.
37,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Calera Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
Calera Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
Calera
Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
JS
94
WE
94
W&S
93
The Calera Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir is a beautifully complex and age-worthy wine from Mt. Harlan’s high-altitude vineyards. Offering enticing aromatics and luxurious flavors, it balances vibrant fruit with supple tannins, showcasing the unique terroir of this historic vineyard.
93,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Calera De Villiers Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018
Calera De Villiers Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018
Calera
De Villiers Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018
WE
93
VN
94
WS
92
The Calera De Villiers Vineyard Pinot Noir is a luxurious and dark-fruited expression of Pinot Noir from the cool, high-altitude vineyards of Mt. Harlan. With concentrated flavors, velvety tannins, and a long, complex finish, this wine captures the essence of this exceptional terroir.
78,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Calera Jensen Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020
Calera Jensen Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020
Calera
Jensen Vineyard Pinot Noir 2020
WS
94
WE
92
JS
97
Sourced from the historic Jensen Vineyard on Mt. Harlan, the Calera Pinot Noir is a wine of immense purity and freshness. It displays beautifully delineated flavors, combining red fruit with darker berries and a touch of spice, culminating in an unforgettable finish.
110,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Calera Mills Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
Calera Mills Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
Calera
Mills Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019
WE
93
W&S
94
WS
92
Sourced from the historic Mills Vineyard, planted in 1984, the Calera Mills Vineyard Pinot Noir offers a remarkable balance between freshness and depth. With layers of red and dark fruit, and a subtle touch of tobacco leaf, this wine delivers both sophistication and energy.
93,60 €
Quantity : moins plus
Calera Mount Harlan Chardonnay 2018
Calera Mount Harlan Chardonnay 2018
Calera
Mount Harlan Chardonnay 2018
WE
94
W&S
93
RP
93
The Calera Mount Harlan Chardonnay is a beautifully structured wine, with a luxurious richness balanced by a fresh, vibrant acidity. Its complexity and elegance make it a benchmark for California Chardonnay, drawing from the cool, high-altitude conditions of Mount Harlan.
58,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
32,50 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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