Properly cellared - Fabulous dark fruited modestly earthy nose. Satisfying, virile taste balancing rich black & blue fruits against proper acid & tannin with not excessive oak influence. Very happy where this is now, & looking forward to retaste in 4-5 years.
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This needed a half an hour decanted to come together. A little more one dimensional than I hoped for, considering the bottle age. Sour fruits and herbal on the palate. The nose was heavy on the prunes and somewhat astringent at first, but mellowed after some time and showed faint cherry cola. At $129 Canadian, I hoped for more. Glad I tried it though.
The wine looks crimson colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like cherry, herb and cola. It tastes like red currant, cherry, forest floor, medicinal, lead pencil and alcohol/hot. The body is light/medium. The wine has silky texture. The wine finishes short. The wine has medium acidity.
Second night. Used a Vacu Vin to cork the bottle. Much improved. Buttery silk on the mouth feel. Better balance between the alcohol heat, acidity and sour fruit.
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From glass. Coppering around rim, but still dark at its core, rather an ordinary, greener nose of dilled red fruit, sour veg. What a surprise on the palate then, after getting those notes on the attack, to be flooded with clean, refreshing dark fruit and lots and lots of flavorful cocoa. Rich, deliciously rich, but never too rich; still some powdery sweet tannin, but smooth and never heavy. Some nibble of earthy mineral there too on the long finish. Evoking a sigh after every sip. Glorious California pinot.
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Dark cherry and purple fruits with cola, vanilla, mocha, baking spices, and lots of chocolate. Very rich and powerful at 14.9 % alcohol. Very fruity and California in style, but with some lively Burgundian acidity and sous bois too. A little simple, but so delicious. Great match with lamb. I would buy more and curious about the Jensen too. Unlike some other Cali Pinot Noirs, this drank well without too much air.
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Lovely color, with subtle bricking around the edges. Beautiful nose, showing both Sonoma fruit and a Burgundian funk. On the palate, there’s a perfect balance of earthy fruit and nice acidity. Finishes just a tad short, or it would be a point higher. Even so, this is one of the finest Pinots I’ve ever had.
Edit: After 3 hours of air, the funky notes smell like a wonderful Gigondas. I’ve never seen this in a Pinot.
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Wowser! What a stunning bottle of Pinot. Delicious earthy cherry fruit. Superb balance. Probably wouldn't be a hit with the AFWE crowd but for those who like fruit driven Pinot this is amazing wine. Drink or hold... happy to have another bottle.
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had this on the day of purchase, this was a fine cali pinot but a little too big for my tastes, some red but mainly darker fruit, a hint of grittiness which i hope portends some spice, cinnamon, grip etc if i hold off for ten to 15 more years, i love the Mills from Calera from the 90's these days so maybe this just needs a long sleep
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This seems to be in an awkward phase right now. The nose has dark fruit, a kirsch like liqueur smell, some dried flowers, and baking spice. The palate has big dark fruit and spice, but is a bit hot. I'm not sure on this, I think it will come together as it has plenty of fruit and with another 4-5 years should come back around and have some more interesting tertiary notes, but it seems to lack acidity and not sure how the alcohol will play in.
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Dark garnet color. Huge nose of candied cherries and red licorice. The nose has one note, and it's beating it with a big drum. Medium body, medium acidity. Overall quite a nice wine, but was a bit warmer than I normally like my pinots.
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Evolving beautifully. Alcohol now in the background, fruit still very vibrant, starting to mellow out, but this is a 10 year wine for it's prime drinkning
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A great example of Central Coast style. Cherry and vanilla but with a sharp acidity that I enjoy but others may not. Going to let the remaining bottles rest a bit longer.
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I knew this would be too soon, but whenwe needed more Calera at dinner after the 09 Central Coast was empty, I realized one of my guests was a Mills, so I just grabbed this for the name value. It's a stronger wine, but not showing as well at all on pop and pour. Will reward a bit more patience though. 92+
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I brought this as a backup to the 07 David Family(Santa Lucia Highlands), which i was doubtful of after decanting for 3 hrs. Erica, John Harte(Mr Chow's), and I preferred the Calera. It was more aromatic and elegant with acidity indicating further development. The acidity turned Ellen and Spring off.
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fruit vibrant, was more so than most other Calera wines of other vintages. Still too young to evaluate. Alcohol shows up more than I would like, but let's give it some time. Not sure where this will go.
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have not had a calera in years and i'm glad to observe that the wine has also evolved stylistically, it's now taking on more weight without the feeling of over-extraction/astringency. definitely one of the few challengers outside of burgundy.
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Very challenging to drink now because the stemminess is so dominant, giving it a powerful snap of greenery and a tightly coiled interior tension. It's difficult to get a read on what else is here except to say that it's refreshingly not a fruit bomb, nor does the 14.9% alcohol stick out.
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Very dark and saturated. Sweet nose with crushed cherries, marzipane, rubber, milk chocolate and pepper. Really smooth with velvety tannins and sweet fruit. Far from burgundy but distinct and sexy.
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Decanted for just over two hours. Ruby and effervescent garnet. What a seductful nose of lavender, sassafras, wild berry, smoke and sage brush. Infesting on the nose and the finish is addictive. Round and complete, with evident layers and some old world sagacity. The best Mills, from Calera that I have had to date. An outstanding Cali-Pinot with some classicism as well. Drink now - 2018.
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Drank over 2 nights but never could get past the heat--14.9% alcohol. Fell apart the 2nd day, which is not a good sign. Basically it smelled and tasted like cherry cough syrup mixed with rubbing alcohol.
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Delicious, beautiful wine. Really couldn't anaylze it at the time, as there is a lot going on with this wine. I was surprised how accessible it is right now, not at all like the '06. I love this bottling, probably because the cost keeps me from seeing much Calera Jensen come my way. 92-93
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10/22/2022 - oldcorke wrote: 95 Points
Properly cellared - Fabulous dark fruited modestly earthy nose. Satisfying, virile taste balancing rich black & blue fruits against proper acid & tannin with not excessive oak influence. Very happy where this is now, & looking forward to retaste in 4-5 years.
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9/20/2020 - Marmie11 Does not like this wine: 88 Points
This needed a half an hour decanted to come together. A little more one dimensional than I hoped for, considering the bottle age. Sour fruits and herbal on the palate. The nose was heavy on the prunes and somewhat astringent at first, but mellowed after some time and showed faint cherry cola. At $129 Canadian, I hoped for more. Glad I tried it though.
The wine looks crimson colored. The legs are medium. There is no sediment in the bottle. It smells like cherry, herb and cola. It tastes like red currant, cherry, forest floor, medicinal, lead pencil and alcohol/hot. The body is light/medium. The wine has silky texture. The wine finishes short. The wine has medium acidity.
Second night. Used a Vacu Vin to cork the bottle. Much improved. Buttery silk on the mouth feel. Better balance between the alcohol heat, acidity and sour fruit.
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3/24/2020 - Necowine wrote: 94 Points
From glass. Coppering around rim, but still dark at its core, rather an ordinary, greener nose of dilled red fruit, sour veg. What a surprise on the palate then, after getting those notes on the attack, to be flooded with clean, refreshing dark fruit and lots and lots of flavorful cocoa. Rich, deliciously rich, but never too rich; still some powdery sweet tannin, but smooth and never heavy. Some nibble of earthy mineral there too on the long finish. Evoking a sigh after every sip. Glorious California pinot.
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3/22/2020 - stevenjstein Likes this wine: 95 Points
Plenty of fruit left, but also elegant and complex. Soft red fruit, with earth and spice notes.
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9/13/2019 - jkscully Likes this wine:
Dark cherry and purple fruits with cola, vanilla, mocha, baking spices, and lots of chocolate. Very rich and powerful at 14.9 % alcohol. Very fruity and California in style, but with some lively Burgundian acidity and sous bois too. A little simple, but so delicious. Great match with lamb. I would buy more and curious about the Jensen too. Unlike some other Cali Pinot Noirs, this drank well without too much air.
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1/5/2019 - Jon Mills Likes this wine: 95 Points
Mature, balanced, delicious - sadly my last bottle.
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7/29/2018 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 97 Points
Delightful pinot drank with pan grilled red salmon. this wine had everything you can expect in good mature pinot. Sadly my last bottle of this beauty.
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6/23/2018 - kkleg Likes this wine: 96 Points
Lovely color, with subtle bricking around the edges. Beautiful nose, showing both Sonoma fruit and a Burgundian funk. On the palate, there’s a perfect balance of earthy fruit and nice acidity. Finishes just a tad short, or it would be a point higher. Even so, this is one of the finest Pinots I’ve ever had.
Edit: After 3 hours of air, the funky notes smell like a wonderful Gigondas. I’ve never seen this in a Pinot.
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2/11/2018 - dsimmons Likes this wine: 97 Points
Wowser! What a stunning bottle of Pinot. Delicious earthy cherry fruit. Superb balance. Probably wouldn't be a hit with the AFWE crowd but for those who like fruit driven Pinot this is amazing wine. Drink or hold... happy to have another bottle.
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9/3/2015 - WoodieBayArea wrote: 89 Points
had this on the day of purchase, this was a fine cali pinot but a little too big for my tastes, some red but mainly darker fruit, a hint of grittiness which i hope portends some spice, cinnamon, grip etc if i hold off for ten to 15 more years, i love the Mills from Calera from the 90's these days so maybe this just needs a long sleep
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5/5/2015 - jnewman77 wrote:
This seems to be in an awkward phase right now. The nose has dark fruit, a kirsch like liqueur smell, some dried flowers, and baking spice. The palate has big dark fruit and spice, but is a bit hot. I'm not sure on this, I think it will come together as it has plenty of fruit and with another 4-5 years should come back around and have some more interesting tertiary notes, but it seems to lack acidity and not sure how the alcohol will play in.
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2/8/2015 - Reblin Likes this wine: 91 Points
Rich but not overpowering fruit; mild acidity. Slightly heavier than the Calera Jensen of the same year.
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1/19/2015 - dransford wrote: 93 Points
Awesome
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11/30/2014 - subir Likes this wine: 92 Points
Dark garnet color. Huge nose of candied cherries and red licorice. The nose has one note, and it's beating it with a big drum. Medium body, medium acidity. Overall quite a nice wine, but was a bit warmer than I normally like my pinots.
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2/12/2014 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Big, harmonious, great drinking Pinot. Lots of structure. Give it time.
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1/30/2014 - tfharris Likes this wine: 93 Points
OMG - this is grand and delicious. Big juice.
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10/27/2013 - mreinhard74@gmail.com wrote: 94 Points
Really fabulous with some age. Sorry mine is all gone.
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2/8/2013 - maderay wrote: 94 Points
VG-DEL. Dark cherries, spices. Could go well with a filet mignon.
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10/10/2012 - Edclr wrote: 92 Points
Ditto last note. Great value wine as are all the Calera single vineyards.
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7/9/2012 - Edclr wrote: 92 Points
Evolving beautifully. Alcohol now in the background, fruit still very vibrant, starting to mellow out, but this is a 10 year wine for it's prime drinkning
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5/19/2012 - mreinhard74@gmail.com wrote: 93 Points
A great example of Central Coast style. Cherry and vanilla but with a sharp acidity that I enjoy but others may not. Going to let the remaining bottles rest a bit longer.
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4/6/2012 - MindMuse wrote: 92 Points
I knew this would be too soon, but whenwe needed more Calera at dinner after the 09 Central Coast was empty, I realized one of my guests was a Mills, so I just grabbed this for the name value. It's a stronger wine, but not showing as well at all on pop and pour. Will reward a bit more patience though. 92+
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3/24/2012 - Pointchaser wrote: 91 Points
Bright red cherry. Refined tannins on the finish. A very satisfying and worthy drink.
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3/9/2012 - markellen.foodies@gmail.com wrote: 93 Points
I brought this as a backup to the 07 David Family(Santa Lucia Highlands), which i was doubtful of after decanting for 3 hrs. Erica, John Harte(Mr Chow's), and I preferred the Calera. It was more aromatic and elegant with acidity indicating further development. The acidity turned Ellen and Spring off.
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9/14/2011 - Edclr wrote: 90 Points
fruit vibrant, was more so than most other Calera wines of other vintages. Still too young to evaluate. Alcohol shows up more than I would like, but let's give it some time. Not sure where this will go.
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7/24/2011 - drunkstar wrote: 90 Points
Excellent. Nicely balanced power vs structure. Nuanced on the palate. Long long finish.
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7/3/2011 - bunhiong wrote:
have not had a calera in years and i'm glad to observe that the wine has also evolved stylistically, it's now taking on more weight without the feeling of over-extraction/astringency. definitely one of the few challengers outside of burgundy.
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4/29/2011 - gorm wrote: 94 Points
consistent note
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3/12/2011 - 32lakeviewwine wrote: 90 Points
Good Wine
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2/1/2011 - travelculture wrote: 84 Points
Pleasant dark fruit flavors out of the bottle but faded rapidly, with harsh finish.
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12/22/2010 - Keith Levenberg wrote:
Very challenging to drink now because the stemminess is so dominant, giving it a powerful snap of greenery and a tightly coiled interior tension. It's difficult to get a read on what else is here except to say that it's refreshingly not a fruit bomb, nor does the 14.9% alcohol stick out.
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12/17/2010 - gorm wrote: 94 Points
Very dark and saturated. Sweet nose with crushed cherries, marzipane, rubber, milk chocolate and pepper. Really smooth with velvety tannins and sweet fruit. Far from burgundy but distinct and sexy.
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12/8/2010 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Short cork eh? When will this one move to glass top?
Damn. Really good Pinot.
Shows of Pinot fruit very well but with some spice from the stems in there too. Delicious. Complex, engaging, incredible. Worth every penny at $50.
Showing tannins and some force. Focused, with power.
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12/4/2010 - Matt Scott wrote: 94 Points
Decanted for just over two hours. Ruby and effervescent garnet. What a seductful nose of lavender, sassafras, wild berry, smoke and sage brush. Infesting on the nose and the finish is addictive. Round and complete, with evident layers and some old world sagacity. The best Mills, from Calera that I have had to date. An outstanding Cali-Pinot with some classicism as well. Drink now - 2018.
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10/15/2010 - onewineheaven wrote: 84 Points
Drank over 2 nights but never could get past the heat--14.9% alcohol. Fell apart the 2nd day, which is not a good sign. Basically it smelled and tasted like cherry cough syrup mixed with rubbing alcohol.
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9/13/2010 - hutch wrote: 93 Points
Delicious, beautiful wine. Really couldn't anaylze it at the time, as there is a lot going on with this wine. I was surprised how accessible it is right now, not at all like the '06. I love this bottling, probably because the cost keeps me from seeing much Calera Jensen come my way. 92-93
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