93 Wine Enthusiast – This priced-to-sell appellation blend gives hints of what the single-vineyard expressions can do in a more accessible manner. Aromas of pomegranate, green peppercorn and oregano decorate the nose. The palate shows baked plum and strawberry flavors as well as Calera’s telltale showing of terpeneladen herbs like bay leaf and marjoram.
Beautifully vibrant Pinot Noir draws you in with alluring aromas of ripe blackberry, cedar and nutmeg. On the supple and energetic palate, flavors of black cherry, cola and vanilla glide across silky tannins to a long, focused finish.
Josh Jensen became a pioneer in American Pinot Noir. Taking his cue from the great domaines of Burgundy, which have grown grapes in limestone soil for centuries, he set out in search of the perfect spot in California to create wines unique to the world but in the style of the greatest wines of France. Site selection was vital as he ventured off the grid to plant on the site of an old limekiln in the Gabilan Mountains of California’s Central Coast. The winery was founded in 1975 and the winery’s name comes from the Spanish word for “limekiln,” which is also the winery’s symbol and appears on every bottle.
Calera is considered one of California’s most iconic wineries and has helped establish the Central Coast as a leading wine region. The winery’s wines are known for their richness, complexity, and vibrant acidity. Calera was purchased by the Duckhorn wine group in 2017 and Josh Jensen passed away in 2022.