1991 Calera Pinot Noir Jensen Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (5) Avg Score: 89.7 points

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  9/30/2023 - Papies wrote: 95 Points

  A Burgundy Night in Paris (Les Climats, Paris): While looking for a sweet wine in the bible of a wine list we realised at the back there was a well hidden part called “ Pinot Noirs Étrangers” and in there was this wine that sent us back 9 years to Press in St Helena when the sommelier answered the challenge of finding a Cali Pinot we would like . He chose 1985 Jensen ( Papies 95 ) , so this 1991 was not to be stopped. Sweet wines are overrated anyway.
  In fact the greatest compliment for this wine could well be from the sommelier who said “ This is the best wine you ordered tonight” . This from a guy that works in what is known as the temple of Burgundy after having ordered Ravenaeu, Comte Lafon and Prieure Roch…
  Young still after 30 plus years, full of charm and elegance, well mannered and with a nose to give the Burgundians a run for their money. Earthy too but full of well mannered ripe fruit. This to us is how we describe Napa Cabs of the 80s and 90s from the classicists , it’s a classic wine but with an extra dollop of richness to remind you it’s from California. And that’s exactly what this wine is a Burgundian Grand Cru with an extra ripe feel. Exceptional 95 and we are puzzled why the stopped making their wines like this in the last 10-15 years.

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  8/31/2023 - misterstarre Does not like this wine: 84 Points

  High toned but heavily oaked. Surripe strawberry and plum on the nose with some clovey action, all of which comes through on the palate, but the fruit hidden under a heavy oak fog that muddles the wine with campfire and seems out of place with the underlying brightness and red fruit. Not balanced. Decent. In it's youth, this must have relied on overpowered fruit and oak to please, but it's out of balance and its faults are showing.

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  1/21/2023 - StraightnoChaser Likes this wine: 89 Points

  Very impressive for a 32 year old half bottle (purchased from K&L)
  I bought this half and a 750 which we gave to our daughter who was born the same year as this vintage.
  
  Vibrant and fresh at first pour and a little air kicks the light red fruits up for a short while but turns a bit sour after an hour or so.
  Strawberry. Raspberry, and some sour Jolly Rancher cherry as a secondary note.
  Very light bodied.
  Not nearly the best Calera Jensen I’ve had but that’s a pretty high bar.

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  10/15/2022 - wine.chung Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Half bottle for wife's birthday. Bottle was in perfect condition from the winery. Lovely red fruit on the nose and palate, some spice, short but smooth finish. Our first experience with older vintage pinot, did not disappoint!

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  10/11/2012 - AndrewSGHall wrote:

  Decent. On the thin side and off balance acidity. Still had some nice fruit, developing earthy notes.

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