I love producers that share an illustrious history. Calera dates back to the 1970s when their founder Josh Jensen was exploring Europe, and decided to work a harvest at famed winery Romanée-Conti. Josh was inspired to make great Pinot Noir in California and 1974, he purchased land located on steep slopes of Mount Harlan, a 3,278-foot peak in the Gavilan Mountains that divide Monterey and San Benito counties. Josh founded Calera in 1975 and p[anted his three estate vineyards: Jensen, Reed and Selleck. Josh achieved incredible critical acclaim for his Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines.
A few years back Calera was sold to the Duckhorn wine group as Josh described Calera as his “life work.” The winery itself is located in Hollister, and boasts sweeping views of the Diablo Mountain Range. Head winemaker Mike Waller previously worked as assistant winemaker at storied property Chalone, before coming to Calera. Mike has served as head winemaker for the past decade. While they may have new winery ownership, the new releases by Mike Waller were gorgeous across the board. I adore the 2018 Calera ‘Central Coast’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) is a downright killer bargain at $30.00. This wine exudes class with balance, weight and salty terroir. I love the 2018 Calera ‘Reed Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which offers good weight but shows almost a warm vintage Oregon take. Learn more about these outstanding new wines at https://www.calerawine.com Here are the great new releases by Calera.
20018 Calera ‘Central Coast’ Chardonnay- The 2018 Calera ‘Central Coast’ Chardonnay saw only 5% new French oak before bottling, as this is mostly sourced from the Santa Maria Valley and San Benito County. The wine is wonderfully balanced with bright pear and starfruit flavors alongside baking spice dusted Challah bread. Delicious now, this has another ten years to go. Drink 2021-2029- 92
2018 Calera ‘Central Coast’ Pinot Noir- The exceedingly good ‘Central Coast’ Pinot Noir by Calera saw only 10% new French oak before bottling. On the nose teaberry tones combine with red currants, pipe tobacco and salty tilled soils. The palate is fresh and vibrant with a seriously good texture. Layers of red plum and menthol combine with a great core of pomegranate seed and blood orange zest. Drink 2021-2031- 92
2018 Calera ‘de Villiers Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- I adore the new 2018 de Villiers Vineyard’ Pinot Noir which is entirely planted to Calera clone Pinot Noir. Right away the nose takes on a good combination of red and dark fruits that mingle with saline drench citrus fruits on the nose. dense kirsch tones that combine with sandalwood, orange zest and exotic spices that mingle in the glass. The palate shows good depth, structure and flavor density. Rich boysenberry and orange rind tones mingle with wet rock, tilled soils and suggestions of black truffle on the palate. This finishes exceedingly long. Refined and generous, the 2018 ‘de Villiers Vineyard’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for another fifteen years. Drink 2021-2035- 94
2018 Calera ‘Reed Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from a high elevation site atop Mt. Harlan, the 2018 ‘Reed Vineyard’ reveals a dusting of salty and volcanic earth alongside ripe red cherry and guava tones on the nose. The feeling of weight is seriously good as a great core offered fruits collide with minerals, smoke and pine needles on the palate. This has a very warm vintage Oregon feel — yet is entirely its own. Drink 2021-2035- 94
2018 Calera ‘Jensen Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Named after California Pinot Noir icon, Josh Jensen, thisbeuatifulwine shows off peat moss and rich raspberry coulis with red currants and smoky undertones on the nose. Once on the palate the silky texture entices. Seaweed and blood orange zest mingle with rich pomegranate seed and red cherry cordial on the palate. The sense of texture really makes this sing. Great to savor now at the three year mark, the 2018 ‘Jensen Vineyard’ Pinot Noir will provide drinking enjoyment for at least a decade to come. Drink 2021-2035- 94