Calera De Villiers Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018

Region and Vineyards

The De Villiers Vineyard is located in the Mt. Harlan appellation, situated in the Gabilan Mountains about 40 kilometers east of Monterey Bay. At an elevation of 670 meters (2,200 feet), these vineyards are among the highest and coolest in California, providing ideal growing conditions for Pinot Noir. The vineyard's limestone soils contribute to the wine’s distinct mineral profile and help maintain freshness and structure in the finished wine.

The growing season began with very little winter rainfall, followed by moderate spring temperatures, leading to a well-timed budbreak and a mild growing season. While the weather was favorable, yields were significantly lower than usual, resulting in a late harvest and producing wines with exceptional depth and concentration. The cool conditions also preserved the natural acidity, enhancing the wine’s balance and elegance.

Winemaking

The De Villiers Vineyard Pinot Noir is made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, fermented using 100% whole clusters with indigenous yeasts to develop complexity. The wine was aged for 18 months in French oak barrels, with 30% new oak to impart structure and 70% neutral barrels to allow the fruit to shine.

This careful winemaking process resulted in a wine with velvety tannins, layered fruit, and subtle spice. The influence of the oak adds complexity without overshadowing the purity of the fruit, making for an elegant and age-worthy Pinot Noir.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep ruby with dark, rich hues.
• Aroma: The nose opens with aromas of blackberry, briar patch, soft leather, and a hint of allspice.
• Palate: On the palate, flavors of blueberry and black raspberry dominate, framed by velvety tannins. Notes of nutmeg and cracked pepper emerge on the long, complex finish, adding depth and refinement.

Did you know?

The De Villiers Vineyard is part of the Mt. Harlan Vineyards, which were planted by Josh Jensen, founder of Calera, in the mid-1990s. Jensen specifically chose these vineyards for their limestone-rich soils, similar to the famous vineyards of Burgundy, which he believed would produce world-class Pinot Noir.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Braised Short Ribs: The dark fruit and spice in the wine complement the rich, savory flavors of the braised beef, while the tannins provide structure to balance the dish's richness.
• Duck Breast with Blackberry Sauce: The wine’s blackberry and spice notes echo the flavors in the sauce, creating a harmonious pairing that enhances both the duck and the wine.
• Wild Mushroom Risotto: The earthy flavors of the mushrooms pair beautifully with the wine’s complex fruit and spice profile, while the wine’s acidity adds freshness to the creamy risotto.
• Aged Gouda: The rich, nutty flavors of aged Gouda are a perfect match for the wine’s dark fruit and peppery finish.

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”​​.