95 Points - Wine Spectator
2020 Calera Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir de Villiers Vineyard
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Calera’s Mt. Harlan Vineyards are located in the Gabilan Mountains 25 miles east of the Monterey Bay. The site was chosen for its limestone soils and ideal climate. At an average elevation of 2,200 feet it is among the highest and coolest vineyard sites in California.
Wine Spectator
95
Wine Enthusiast
95
Wine Review Online
95
James Suckling
95
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Winemaker Notes
Once again, de Villiers has produced one of the most luxurious and dark-fruited expressions of Pinot Noir from Mt. Harlan. On the nose, aromas of candied blackberry, ripe strawberry and black cherry mingle with hints of white pepper and spice. The palate is smooth and lush, with velvety tannins and dramatic flavors of robust blackberry, cedar and sassafras driving to a long, impeccably balanced finish.
Production
After a cool winter, the 2020 growing season began with spring rains that replenished our soils on Mt. Harlan and set the stage for an excellent vintage. After a late-March budbreak, we enjoyed temperate, sunny days and cool nights throughout spring and summer, allowing the grapes to slowly ripen, while preserving the bright natural acids that we prize. With no significant heat events, the 2020 vintage produced age-worthy wines with enticing aromatics, lovely freshness and purity, and beautifully delineated varietal flavors.
Wine Specs
Wine Specs
Vintage
2020
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Mt. Harlan
Vineyard Designation
de Villiers Vineyard
Acid
0.61 g/100 ml
pH
3.67
Aging
Aged 18 months in 100% French oak 30% new, 70% neutral
Fermentation
100% whole cluster open top with indigenous yeast
Alcohol %
14.5
Wine Spectator
95
Wine Enthusiast
95
Wine Review Online
95
James Suckling
95
