Calera Wine Company
Mills Vineyard Pinot Noir
Mount Harlan, Central Coast, California, USA
Ruby color, slight purple edges, with aromas of red fruits, forest floor and floral spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with cedar notes, tea, cola, black pepper, cinnamon spice and earthy herbs. Full-bodied, fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, sweet oak and a spicy earthy character. Pair this with a grilled salmon or pork chop!
Ruby color, slight purple edges, with aromas of red fruits, forest floor and floral spice. On the palate flavors of cherry and raspberry with cedar notes, tea, cola, black pepper, cinnamon spice and earthy herbs. Full-bodied, fine tannins, long finish ending with fruit, sweet oak and a spicy earthy character. Pair this with a grilled salmon or pork chop!
Dec 31st, 2023
Stemmy/green, but very perfumed. Crushed red and black fruit with herbal nuances. Black tea and potpourri. Still plenty of acidity and structure here to keep cruising for a few years but so enjoyable now.
Stemmy/green, but very perfumed. Crushed red and black fruit with herbal nuances. Black tea and potpourri. Still plenty of acidity and structure here to keep cruising for a few years but so enjoyable now.
Mar 31st, 2019
Still really powerful, but with nice finesse and balance.
Still really powerful, but with nice finesse and balance.
Mar 7th, 2018
Perhaps more interesting than the 99 but not quite as well put together.
Perhaps more interesting than the 99 but not quite as well put together.
Mar 4th, 2018Another great last minute gathering at the storage facility!
I was slightly shocked how thin this was for such a solid producer. The red and black fruit was very faint and the notes were more secondary (earthy, dirty fruit) than fruit bomb, but even the secondary notes were thin. If you’ve got this, drink quickly.
Another great last minute gathering at the storage facility!
I was slightly shocked how thin this was for such a solid producer. The red and black fruit was very faint and the notes were more secondary (earthy, dirty fruit) than fruit bomb, but even the secondary notes were thin. If you’ve got this, drink quickly.
Good bottle prefer the 2010s that are less ripe.
Good bottle prefer the 2010s that are less ripe.
Aug 14th, 2017Mills vineyard in the Mt. Harlan AVA in San Benito County. Transparent ruby turning orange at the rim. Unmistakeably Pinot Noir in the nose (the French would say "ça pinote") with morello cherries and a subtle earthy spiciness that I associate with a very good Nuits-Saint-Georges. Gains complexity in the glass, very nice smell. Medium-bodied, very balanced with fruit, spices, and present, but well-tamed tannin, fine acidity, perfectly integrated oak and a long spicy finish. Great value too. Josh Jensen never lets you down!
Love the detailed information on the back label too. 2010 vintage, abv 13,8 %. 45 euro.
Mills vineyard in the Mt. Harlan AVA in San Benito County. Transparent ruby turning orange at the rim. Unmistakeably Pinot Noir in the nose (the French would say "ça pinote") with morello cherries and a subtle earthy spiciness that I associate with a very good Nuits-Saint-Georges. Gains complexity in the glass, very nice smell. Medium-bodied, very balanced with fruit, spices, and present, but well-tamed tannin, fine acidity, perfectly integrated oak and a long spicy finish. Great value too. Josh Jensen never lets you down!
Love the detailed information on the back label too. 2010 vintage, abv 13,8 %. 45 euro.
Still a little young. I'm going to wait a couple years on the next one. Good, but still hasn't come together yet, in my mind.
Still a little young. I'm going to wait a couple years on the next one. Good, but still hasn't come together yet, in my mind.
Aug 5th, 2016Opening a bottle, from 26 year old vines, I see a nice vivid ruby red color, and notice a bouquet of red fruit and earthy aromas, layered with some herb spice. On the palate the taste transforms into ripe fruit flavors of cherries and red berries, slight earthy and mineral taste. Aged for 18 months on French oak (30% new), the tannins are present and smooth getting structure from the unique soil setting apart from other Pinot’s. Nice length on the finish, rich and full-bodied, only 1400 cases made, enjoy!
Opening a bottle, from 26 year old vines, I see a nice vivid ruby red color, and notice a bouquet of red fruit and earthy aromas, layered with some herb spice. On the palate the taste transforms into ripe fruit flavors of cherries and red berries, slight earthy and mineral taste. Aged for 18 months on French oak (30% new), the tannins are present and smooth getting structure from the unique soil setting apart from other Pinot’s. Nice length on the finish, rich and full-bodied, only 1400 cases made, enjoy!
Apr 15th, 2016