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Wine Recommendation
Calera Wine Company
2004 Pinot Noir, Ryan Vineyard(Mount Harlan)
How could a wine as delicate and exquisite come from one of the highest and coolest vineyards in California? Obviously with a great deal of tender loving care taken in the 2,200 foot high vineyard and followed by meticulous attention in the winery. Owner and winemaker Josh Jensen believes in letting the grapes “speak” for themselves and accordingly applies non-interventionist techniques – native yeast, whole cluster fermentations and minimal racking. Jensen is a major advocate of letting the wine in the bottle reveal the qualities of its vineyard origins.
The 2004 Ryan Vineyard Pinot immediately offers up bush berry aromas tinged with an enhancing spice. For a wine that is light bodied, the flavors are surprisingly intense, again with the raspberry/blackberry and spice. The 14.4% alcohol is balanced by a crisp acidity that glides the tongue along to a smooth finish. The Ryan Vineyard Pinot is just one of nearly half a dozen single vineyard Pinots that Calera produces. While they have a deserved reputation for aging, it would be hard not to pass up this seductive wine in the near term.
Reviewed May 30, 2007 by Michael Lasky.
Other reviewed wines from Calera Wine Company
The Wine
Winery: Calera Wine Company |
The Reviewer
Michael Lasky
APPELLATION AMERICA’s Managing Editor, Michael Lasky, has been writing about food and wine for over 20 years. His work has appeared in national magazines such as Playboy, Esquire, GQ, and Parade, and newspapers such as The New York Times, USA Today, Newsday, and the San Francisco Chronicle. His wine reviews focus on the aroma, taste, and visual appeal of what’s in the glass. He is decidedly not a wine snob and prefers to describe its virtues in conversational prose that speaks to everyone from wine neophytes to veteran connoisseurs. He only reviews delicious wines. |