WineLovers Discussion Group

2001 Calera Pinot Noir Mills - USA, California, Central Coast, Mount Harlan (8/28/2006)
Ruby red to purple color. Lovely nose of raspberries, cherries, earth and fresh herb. Excellent balance of fruit, acid and earthy notes. No sign of heat. All this in a medium bodied and easy to drink package. Excellent.

All gone. Yummy.

That took a long time. What was the second bottle of the evening?

I didn't think I liked Cali Pinot until I tried Calera's 1995 Mills last spring. Boy, was I wrong. I haven't come across many (any) others that come close. Any suggestions?


Prost!
Bill

James Roscoe wrote:That took a long time. What was the second bottle of the evening?

1/2 bottle with dinner.

David M. Bueker wrote:

James Roscoe wrote:That took a long time. What was the second bottle of the evening?

1/2 bottle with dinner.

I should learn to use those smily face thingies. I guess I just find them a little lame. Great note by the way.

Thanks for the notes! I've been very impressed by the three Caleras I've tasted. I have notes for two of them here. I've also had the 1997 Mélange which was more Burgundian. So far the only Cali Pinots I've genuinely liked. Wade Hostler from eBob visits Finland quite often and has been trying to educate me, but I still don't get them apart from Calera.

Otto Nieminen wrote:Thanks for the notes! I've been very impressed by the three Caleras I've tasted. I have notes for two of them here. I've also had the 1997 Mélange which was more Burgundian. So far the only Cali Pinots I've genuinely liked. Wade Hostler from eBob visits Finland quite often and has been trying to educate me, but I still don't get them apart from Calera.

Nor do I ever think you will get them based on your preferences. You might enjoy Arcadian. They are big wines, but balanced and have a definite earth element.

David M. Bueker wrote:
Nor do I ever think you will get them based on your preferences. You might enjoy Arcadian. They are big wines, but balanced and have a definite earth element.

Wade H brought an Arcadian Pisoni the last time he was over. Unfortunately it was corked, but he also thought it would be more to my taste.

What was the alcohol BTW on the Calera? I was surprised to learn that the ones I had were well over 14%. I have not had one other table wine taste balanced at this level.

Otto Nieminen wrote:
What was the alcohol BTW on the Calera? I was surprised to learn that the ones I had were well over 14%. I have not had one other table wine taste balanced at this level.

14.5% which really surprised me. I did not even look at the alcohol until after I posted & was shocked, especially by the medium body carrying that much abv.