Calera Central Coast Pinot Noir 2022

Drink now or cellar for up 7. No need to decant before serving. One of California’s pioneering wineries, Calera was founded in 1974 by Josh Jensen who took inspiration from the legendary elegance of Burgundy’s great domaines. Josh found the perfect terroir for his visionary new winery in the Gabilan Mountains to the west of Chalone, an area which is now called the Mt. Harlan AVA. Today the 31 hectare estate is fully certified as organic and the vineyards are planted at an average altitude of 670 metres above sea level. Conditions here are ideal for crafting Burgundian-style Pinot Noir with plenty of finesse thanks to the cooler nights and proximity to the Pacific Coast. Fruit for this superb Pinot is sourced from a selection of sites in the Central Coast AVA. Once in the winery the grapes are vinified and the young wine is then aged in French oak barrels for 10 months before bottling. Alluring dark cherries, redcurrants and crushed wild berries burst out of the glass while the first sip reveals a medium body, smooth texture and fine tannins. On the palate there are seductive berry notes and hints of dried herbs which linger long on the tongue. The juicy fruit character and ripe tannins make this a great match for dishes like roasted duck, venison or earthy game stews.

Price: £29.75 from 8wines UK