Wines that seem to be getting better and better, Caliza, Spanish for "limestone", connects the name to the 20-acre Caliza vineyard located on the west side of Paso Robles. The vineyard is predominantly comprised of hillsides with south-facing slopes which leads to maximum sun exposure.. Set at 900-1200 feet above sea level in Templeton Gap area, the vineyard faces strong diurnal shifts which creates some nice tension in the wines.
Caliza is spearheaded by Carl and Pam Bowker, who planted near L’Aventure and Booker. I had a great vineyard tour to this site and sat down with Carl Bowker, who graduated from Napa Valley College’s Viticulture and Enology associate program in 2004. One year later he purchased this exciting site and started the winery. The wines get better and better, as I have been so impressed with his winemaking style that is big and bold, with bright acidity. Check out the gorgeous 2019 Caliza ‘Sidekick’ White Wine (OB, 93) which is mostly Roussanne and shows a golden color and rich texture. I adored the new 2019 Caliza Grenache (OB, 94) which has serious freshness and a great acid backbone. The flavor range here is insanely good. Learn more about this great Paso Robles winery at https://www.calizawinery.com Here are the outstanding new wines by Caliza.
2021 Caliza ‘Kissin’ Cousins’ white Wine- A blend of equal parts Viognier and Marsanne (37% each) with 26% Grenche Blanc, this unveils lychee with star jasmine and hints of white peach on the nose. The wine shows really good balance, as you can see the working parts moving marvelously together. Displaying plenty of finesse with good depth, the 2021 ‘Kissin’ Cousins’ will be providing drinking enjoyment over the next five plus years. Drink 2022-2027- 92
2019 Caliza ‘Sidekick’ White Wine- Mainly Roussaanne (80%), this shows off a deep golden hue, this spent ten months in new and neutral oak and a considerable amount of time in the bottle prior to being released in fall 2021. Honeycomb and starfruit tones mingle on the nose with shades of baking spice dusted Challah bread. The salty character of the wine really strikes you, as this is deep and concentrated, yet produces gobs of mouth-watering acidity. Drink this beautiful wine over the next six plus year. Drink 2022-2028- 93
2021 Caliza ‘Pink’ Rose- Mostly Grenache (75%), with a smaller portion Mourvedre, this shows off a very pretty salmon color with bright strawberry, honeydew melon and shades of wild mushroom on the nose. With a kiss of sweetness, this unveils a wonderfully rich mouthfeel and really long finish. Drink 2022-2028- 92
2019 Caliza Grenache- This 100% varietal bottling by Carl Bowker unveils very pretty high-tones with the red rose petals that combine with orange blossom and red cherry cordial. The palate is deep and concentrated with a great core of red fruits that combine with loamy soils and shades of white pepper. The bright acidity holds everything together. This is outstanding wine to consume now, as the 2019 Caliza Grenache will drink well beyond the ten years mark. Drink 2022-2034- 94
2019 Caliza ‘Azimuth’ Red Wine- The 2019 ‘Azimuth’ combines 40% Mourvedre and 40% Grenache with the remainder Syrah. The Mourvedre was 60% whole cluster fermented. BBQ short ribs and green peppercorns mingle with garrigue notes and boysenberry tones on the nose. The palate is plush and beautifully textured, showing great poise and weight. The range of fruit quality from red to black fruits and even hints of black truffle all impress on the palate. Drink 2022-2034- 94
2019 Caliza Mourvedre- The Moruvedre for this wine underwent 60% whole cluster fermentation, as the wine was stored in 45% new French oak (mostly puncheons) prior to bottling. White pepper dusted bacon and menthol notes combine with freshly tilled soils on the nose, as this shows compelling aromatic range. The palate is fresh and inviting, showing off its pillowy texture. The combination of weight and finesse both meld beautifully together. Drink 2022-2034- 94
2017 Caliza ‘Cohort’ Red Wine- This wine is barrel aged for eighteen months in 45% new French oak but then spent 1.5 years in the bottle before release. A bend of 58% Petite Syrah with smaller parts Syrah and Mourvedre, this 100% estate wine unveils blueberry pie with milk chocolate and dried herbs and shades of beef drippings. The palate is deeply concentrated but shows bright acidity. Drink 2022-2034- 94
2019 Caliza Primitivo- This has 10% Petit Sirah blended in with 5% Mourvedre, as the wine spent 18 months in all neutral French oak before bottling. This screams Zin on the nose with bramble and bright red fruits that combine with chocolate cake and dried herbal undercurrents. The palate shows great finesse and layers of rich red and dark fruits, with salty accents. Drinks 2022-2032- 93
2019 Calizsa ‘Sympatico’ Red Wine- Mostly Tempranillo (80%) with 14% Grenache and 6% Mourvedre, this unveils toasty oak with ripe red currants, red rose petals and tobacco leaf notes aromatically. The soft texture entices, as does the outstanding sense of length and rich core of red fruits. Drink 2022-2032- 93
2018 Caliza ‘Estate’ Syrah- This is their highest production wine, as the 2018 ‘Estate’ Syrah shows up deeply concentrated once in the glass, as this was aged in 60% new French oak pror to bottling. The nose comes off very smoky and savory with bacon fat and cigar box notes alongside shades of black currant cordial. The palate is plush and soft, as the concentration and finesse holds in place this beautiful black-fruit driven wine. Drink 2022-2032- 94