One of the intriguing things about wine (some, not all) is that there is vintage variation with the wine - each harvest is unique and the bottles from that harvest taste different than previous harvests. As Calera celebrates its 50th birthday, such is the case with this Pinot Noir. I have tasted and reviewed Calera wines for many years and this is a different iteration than other vintages from the Ryan Vineyard. The wine focuses on more dark and brooding fruit with much more minerality and acidity than in previous vintages.
The darker berry flavors are muted however and the mid-pallet offers a softness and almost creamy textural component. The tannins are a little more pronounced and keep the fruit of blackberry, black cherry, and plum in check while keeping a structurally sound wine. Having been aged for 18 months with only 30% of that wine in new French Oak barrels makes the fruit shine and express its individuality. With about an hour of aeration, the fruit opens up like a subtle bouquet and begins to expand the aromas quite nicely.
Leaving some wine in bottle for the second night, the fruit becomes much more concentrated and expressive, and releases its full variety of flavors. The Ryan Vineyard has consistently produced top quality fruit, and this is one of the best examples in recent years.
ORIGIN: Gabilan Mts., Mt. Harlan, San Benito County. ALCOHOL: 14.5%.
