2021 Calera Pinot Noir Central Coast
Josh Jensen set the bar for cult Pinot Noir in California’s Central Coast in the early 70’s and his single vineyard offerings have topped some of the best Burgundies in the world in blind tastings, a true master at his craft. His Central Coast Pinot teams with bing cherries, strawberries, raspberries. White pepper and baking spices add beautiful complexity to the nose. You will absolutely love this wine for the price it is hard to beat.
There is cult Pinot Noir, and then there is Calera. Rather than following the herd towards various spots along the Sonoma Coast, Josh Jensen decided to follow the lines going south in search of finding the perfect spot on the planet to grow grapes. Taking his cue from the great vineyards in Burgundy rich in limestone, he searched tirelessly to find land that would allow him to produce wines unique to the world, yet with respect and homage to the place where it all began. And while most of the cult Pinots from coastal northern California have waiting lists a mile long and charge some serious coin to get you admission, Calera is a true diamond in the rough, coming in at under $50!His journey off-the-grid took him to the site of an old limekiln in the Gavilan Mountains, Mount Harlan to be exact. Located 25 miles east of Monterey as the crow flies, this monolith of chalky goodness seemed like the perfect home for making world-class Pinot Noir. It took some serious stones to take the gamble, but Jensen was a pioneer in the industry, and knew he had to blaze his own trail in order to accomplish his goals. The results are extraordinary, as year after year, the Calera portfolio continues to churn out some of the most sought after wines the world has ever seen. Robert Parker agrees, stating, "Calera is one of the most compelling Pinot Noir specialists of not only the New World, but Planet Earth." Boom!