Calera Pinot Noir Mt. Harlan "de Villiers" 2011 [375ml HALF BOTTLE]
(Central Coast, California) - [RP 93] [AG 90+] [WS 90]

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Notes from the Winemaker:

Calera’s Mt. Harlan Vineyards are located in the Gavilan 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.

Lush beautiful aromas of boysenberry, cedar, violets, tobacco and graphite lure you into a fascinating display of brooding flavors. Savory smoked duck, shiitakes, orange peel and gingerbread give tension to accents of forest floor, plum, blackberry and flint with a savory, mouthwatering texture. This wine is tart, full, deep, fleshy; full of wonder and pleasure.

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93 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"First up and seriously perfumed, the 2011 Pinot Noir de Villiers is a gorgeous wine that excels both for its complexity and for its richness and breath on the palate. Giving up notes of ripe cherries, wild strawberries, exotic flowers, citron and spice, it has medium to full-bodied richness, a core of sweet fruit and a rich, seamless texture. In fact, it has a rare level of depth and texture in the vintage, and while beautiful today, I imagine it will evolve gracefully." - Jeb Dunnuck (27th Aug 2014)

90+ Points - Antonio Galloni's Vinous:
"Bright red cherries, cranberry, spices, mint, hard candy and anise all jump from the glass in the 2011 Pinot Noir de Villiers Vineyard. Hints of crushed flowers and tobacco follow, adding lift, inner perfume and a sense of sweetness. The de Villiers is the most open and radiant of these 2011s today, partly because it is the only single-vineyard Pinot in the range made from fully destemmed fruit." - Antonio Galloni (Jul 2014)

90 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine:
"Tight, with a gritty, earthy edge to the firm strawberry, dark berry, violet, spice and cedar notes, gaining depth and ending with a persistent finish. Should gain with age. Drink now through 2022. 1,314 cases made." – JL (Jun 15, 2014)

89 Points & "Cellar Selection" - Wine Enthusiast Magazine:
"Raspberry jam, orange peel and sweet oak flavors mark this Pinot Noir. It's very dry, acidic and tannic, not showing much of interest now, but the complexity suggests limited ageability. Try after 2017." - (6/1/2014)

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