Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir 2021

Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir 2021

 

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Calera
Central Coast Pinot Noir 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : USA
  • Region : California
  • Subregion : Central Coast
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Fruity Medium Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 14,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Pinot Noir

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.

Experts Score Vintage
W&S Wines & Spirits 91 2021
WE Wine Enthusiast 91 2021
WS Wine Spectator 90 2021
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Central Coast of California is a renowned wine-growing region known for its ideal climate and diverse terroir. Calera's vineyards are located in the Gavilan Mountains, where cool maritime influences and limestone-rich soils create perfect conditions for growing Pinot Noir. Since Josh Jensen founded Calera in 1975, this area has become one of the New World’s most exciting regions for Pinot Noir.

The growing season was marked by below-average rainfall in the winter, followed by moderate spring temperatures that resulted in varied budbreak across the region. The temperate weather continued into the early summer, providing ample hangtime for the grapes. This long growing season culminated in one of the latest harvests on record for the Central Coast, leading to wines with excellent balance, lively acidity, and sophisticated flavors.

Winemaking

The Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes sourced from some of the finest vineyards in the region. The wine was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, with 10% new oak to add complexity and 90% neutral oak to preserve the purity of the fruit. This careful aging process helped to enhance the wine’s structure and complexity without overpowering its delicate fruit and spice notes.

The winemaking team aimed to preserve the varietal's vibrant character while delivering a balanced wine with supple tannins and a long finish. The result is a beautifully textured Pinot Noir that showcases the elegance and potential of the Central Coast.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Bright ruby red with clarity and brilliance.
  • Aroma: The nose opens with inviting aromas of raspberry, dark cherry, and dried sage, with a touch of sweet tobacco leaf adding complexity.
  • Palate: On the palate, soft and supple tannins frame flavors of wild strawberry and Bing cherry, with hints of cracked black pepper and spice emerging on the long, satisfying finish. The wine’s vibrant acidity adds freshness and energy, making each sip compelling and balanced.

Did you know?

Calera’s name means "lime kiln" in Spanish, a nod to the limestone-rich soils found in the Gavilan Mountains. Founder Josh Jensen was inspired by the limestone soils of Burgundy, and he selected this site specifically for its ability to produce elegant and structured wines, especially Pinot Noir, that can stand alongside the world’s best.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Herb-Crusted Lamb: The soft tannins and earthy spice of the Pinot Noir complement the herbaceous flavors of the lamb, while the wine’s acidity cuts through the richness of the meat.
  • Mushroom Risotto: The earthy notes in the wine pair perfectly with the savory, umami flavors of the mushrooms, while the wine’s smooth texture enhances the creaminess of the risotto.
  • Duck Breast with Cherry Reduction: The wine’s cherry and spice notes echo the flavors of the dish, creating a harmonious pairing that highlights both the wine and the duck.
  • Aged Gouda: The rich, nutty flavors of the cheese are balanced by the wine’s fruit-forward profile and vibrant acidity, making for a delightful 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”​​.

Wines & Spirits (W&S) : 91 Points (2021)
This is savory and flavorful, with scents of plum cake, a hint of smoky bacon and leather. It’s delivered with a juicy freshness, with a lean finish for a plate of carbonara.

Wine Enthusiast (WE) : 91 Points (2021)
A great taste of this iconic estate without breaking the bank, this bottling is light in the glass with aromas of dried cherry, scorched earth and chaparral spice. The palate combines cranberry sauce and toasted sagebrush with an ample tannin profile. 

Wine Spectator (WS) : 90 Points (2021)
Bright and fresh, with crisp lines to the mix of red and black cherry fruit, backed by light chalk and savory threads on the pure finish. Modest in scale but precise. Drink now through 2028. 25,500 cases made.

Calera Central Coast Chardonnay 2021
Calera Central Coast Chardonnay 2021
Calera
Central Coast Chardonnay 2021
WE
90
WS
91
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.
27,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Calera Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018
Calera Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018
Calera
Ryan Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018
WS
92
VN
94
JD
94
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.
89,00 €
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
W&S
93
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
WS
92
WE
93
W&S
94
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.
89,00 €
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.
53,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
32,90 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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