Medium garnet. Intense and masculine nose of dark cherries, ripe raspberries, chocolate and some baking spices. This is way out of balance with an overwhelming level of alcohol. Otherwise good with medium body, fine-grained tannins, high acidity. Not a bad wine, but the alcohol ruins it for me. Will stay away from pinots at 14% and above moving forward.
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Pinot Noir done in correct style.lighter and not bold. Light tobacco and tar and red fruit on nose. initial taste smooth cherry and strawberry. Ends with medium length freshness. Great sipping Pinot.
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Un PN un peu plus foncé mais quand même translucide. Joli nez de cerise et d'épices. idem en bouche sur un bel équilibre. Bel acidité pour un californien. Finesse et longueur. Rien ne presse!
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Another great bottle from Calera, their work is always consistently good and this is no exception, with wonderful red fruit in the lead quickly followed up by a savory earth flavor that lends complexity to the mix.
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PnP. Hard to beat pinot and pork (pork chops). Clear garnet color. More strawberry this time as well as some forest floor. Fruity palate; good acidity; same tea-like tannins on the finish. Nice balance. Adding a point from prior reviews; the forest floor I'm getting this time adds complexity, and the nice balance of fruit, acidity, and mild tannins makes this a winner not just at this price point, but independently as well. Would love to do a blind tasting of this with other, more highly ranked pinots.
(Day 3!) Had only had one glass with the first note, so there was plenty left in the bottle. Not oxidized. The forest floor is a bit more prominent on the nose, and there are blueberries (!) showing. (I made blueberry sorbet this afternoon and had them on my granola this morning, so am familiar with their smell, but quite surprised in this case). Fruit, acidity, and tannins still there, and everything quite pleasant. Bodes well for setting some of these aside for a few years.
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Translucent, pale ruby in the glass with notes of tart red berries, unripe plum and vanilla spice. Somewhat thin on the palate with round tannins and medium acidity.
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PnP. Same clear garnet color. Berries (black raspberries, strawberries) on the nose, along with that same whiff of bacon fat that I got on my 4/17/22 note. Consistent with past two notes, palate is a bit thin, with good acidity, not a superfluity of fruit, and noticeable (not overwhelming) tea-like tannins. Missing that extra gear, though not expected at this price point.
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PnP. Clear garnet. Very similar aromatics with the previous note. But the rest pales somewhat in comparison; palate seems a bit thinner, which knocks it down a couple points for me. I've had this wine several times, and generally like it, but this one was somewhat lackluster.
(Day two). No significant change. Aromatics still superior to palate. Until I find another at this price point or less that I like better, this remains my house pinot.
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This is our go-to, non special-occasion pinot when dinner calls for one (even though we're drinking this with ham for Easter dinner). Clear, dark garnet. Somewhat muted strawberry-rhubarb and black raspberry nose, along with violets, a dusting of pine rosin, and a faint whiff of bacon fat. Restrained fruity palate with some mushroom/forest floor. Nice acidity, finishing with black tea and fine, drying tannins. With the volume "turned up," and each of these characteristics more "forward," easily a 95+ wine. But as is, a very nice "everyday" pinot, and a solid value. $21.99 at the local BevMax.
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Alcohol and petrol notes mellowed after several hours. Red, cooked feel with pepper, vanilla and bread. Hints of honey. Noticeable alcohol aftertaste. Pairs well with chicken curry.
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Day 1 - Nose - a lot of strawberry jam/candy, preserved cherry, soothing greenness of wet bamboo leaf (or a bit of minty toothpaste), maltiness like steamed corn tortillas, grilled mushroom, and dark sweetness of black cane sugar / maple syrup. My wife detected grapefruit too (unusual vocabulary, but to me this is not unusual for ripe Californian pinot overall). Palate - attack is closed in sweet viscosity like syrup, that turns into linear dryness in the middle, and ends with increasing spiky acidity and thick broad tannin, which is much more than initially perceived. Despite initial candied syrupiness, this shift in mouth keeps it interesting and enticing to have next sip. Balanced despite 14.4% abv. Not particularly pleasurable per description above, but very rich and long. Worked nicely with Spanish/Japanese hybrid food (Paella/Takikomi-gohan) made of seafood, mushroom, and rice. I like the lack of obtrusive oak (unlike other Californian pinot). Might work with northern Chinese food with cinnamon or sweet miso (tian mian jiang). Requires/rewards creativity to enjoy. 88-89.
Day 3 - chemical/candied aroma calmed down.Integrated into dark/purple tone consisting of ripe black plum and oak. Mouth got smooth, supple, and broad. Still a lot of concentration/tannin for PN, just a little bit reminiscent of Merlot from right bank Bordeaux overall, surprisingly. 89.
Day 4 - mellowed down. Smells and tastes like macha ice cream without sweetness, for good or bad. 88.
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Medium red. Along with red berry fruit there is an interesting herbal element . I love the light weight and the overall feel of this. The fruit on the palate is wild and perfumed.
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8/8/2023 - dlu Likes this wine:
A bit extracted for our taste.
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3/1/2023 - Emil Oliver wrote: 87 Points
Medium garnet.
Intense and masculine nose of dark cherries, ripe raspberries, chocolate and some baking spices.
This is way out of balance with an overwhelming level of alcohol. Otherwise good with medium body, fine-grained tannins, high acidity. Not a bad wine, but the alcohol ruins it for me. Will stay away from pinots at 14% and above moving forward.
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1/15/2023 - RKcellar Likes this wine: 91 Points
fantastic value, with cherry and bright fruit along with freshness and sweet herb, light spice
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1/14/2023 - Strrand wrote:
Not a favourite
Orange chocolate cardemum
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1/8/2023 - Hese Likes this wine: 87 Points
Light and dry. Some herbs and acidity on the palate.
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12/24/2022 - a_heegaard wrote: 87 Points
Mørke frugter. Udemærket, men mangler syre - bliver lidt jammy
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12/15/2022 - Mark4w Likes this wine: 90 Points
Pinot Noir done in correct style.lighter and not bold. Light tobacco and tar and red fruit on nose. initial taste smooth cherry and strawberry. Ends with medium length freshness. Great sipping Pinot.
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11/10/2022 - Thefatbastard Likes this wine:
Un PN un peu plus foncé mais quand même translucide.
Joli nez de cerise et d'épices. idem en bouche sur un bel équilibre. Bel acidité pour un californien. Finesse et longueur. Rien ne presse!
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10/27/2022 - Sharon D Likes this wine: 85 Points
Nice but nothing special
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10/15/2022 - Frejdan wrote: 90 Points
Dark Fruit, leather. Warm feeling.
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9/26/2022 - Roi Vin de LBC Likes this wine: 85 Points
85 points. It was good but nothing special Tried it the night after another duckhorn Pinot (Migration) and migration was nicer
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9/1/2022 - Phlyphisherman Likes this wine: 90 Points
Good value , well balanced.
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7/16/2022 - quaffnov Likes this wine: 91 Points
Another great bottle from Calera, their work is always consistently good and this is no exception, with wonderful red fruit in the lead quickly followed up by a savory earth flavor that lends complexity to the mix.
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7/8/2022 - RAD Likes this wine: 90 Points
PnP. Hard to beat pinot and pork (pork chops). Clear garnet color. More strawberry this time as well as some forest floor. Fruity palate; good acidity; same tea-like tannins on the finish. Nice balance. Adding a point from prior reviews; the forest floor I'm getting this time adds complexity, and the nice balance of fruit, acidity, and mild tannins makes this a winner not just at this price point, but independently as well. Would love to do a blind tasting of this with other, more highly ranked pinots.
(Day 3!) Had only had one glass with the first note, so there was plenty left in the bottle. Not oxidized. The forest floor is a bit more prominent on the nose, and there are blueberries (!) showing. (I made blueberry sorbet this afternoon and had them on my granola this morning, so am familiar with their smell, but quite surprised in this case). Fruit, acidity, and tannins still there, and everything quite pleasant. Bodes well for setting some of these aside for a few years.
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6/11/2022 - ElJefeTX wrote: 89 Points
Translucent, pale ruby in the glass with notes of tart red berries, unripe plum and vanilla spice. Somewhat thin on the palate with round tannins and medium acidity.
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6/8/2022 - ocwineo Likes this wine: 90 Points
Great value-well balanced with mild tannins and ample fruit on the palate-not a big Pinot but ready for near term drinking
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5/12/2022 - RAD Likes this wine: 89 Points
PnP. Same clear garnet color. Berries (black raspberries, strawberries) on the nose, along with that same whiff of bacon fat that I got on my 4/17/22 note. Consistent with past two notes, palate is a bit thin, with good acidity, not a superfluity of fruit, and noticeable (not overwhelming) tea-like tannins. Missing that extra gear, though not expected at this price point.
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5/4/2022 - RAD Likes this wine: 89 Points
PnP. Clear garnet. Very similar aromatics with the previous note. But the rest pales somewhat in comparison; palate seems a bit thinner, which knocks it down a couple points for me. I've had this wine several times, and generally like it, but this one was somewhat lackluster.
(Day two). No significant change. Aromatics still superior to palate. Until I find another at this price point or less that I like better, this remains my house pinot.
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4/17/2022 - RAD Likes this wine: 91 Points
This is our go-to, non special-occasion pinot when dinner calls for one (even though we're drinking this with ham for Easter dinner). Clear, dark garnet. Somewhat muted strawberry-rhubarb and black raspberry nose, along with violets, a dusting of pine rosin, and a faint whiff of bacon fat. Restrained fruity palate with some mushroom/forest floor. Nice acidity, finishing with black tea and fine, drying tannins. With the volume "turned up," and each of these characteristics more "forward," easily a 95+ wine. But as is, a very nice "everyday" pinot, and a solid value. $21.99 at the local BevMax.
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4/17/2022 - OhioJoe Likes this wine: 87 Points
Alcohol and petrol notes mellowed after several hours. Red, cooked feel with pepper, vanilla and bread. Hints of honey. Noticeable alcohol aftertaste. Pairs well with chicken curry.
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3/27/2022 - Mr Helper Likes this wine:
Nice, light, pnp. Drank in one day as I made and enjoyed beef jerky and pork shoulder.
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3/16/2022 - mks83 Likes this wine: 88 Points
Day 1 - Nose - a lot of strawberry jam/candy, preserved cherry, soothing greenness of wet bamboo leaf (or a bit of minty toothpaste), maltiness like steamed corn tortillas, grilled mushroom, and dark sweetness of black cane sugar / maple syrup. My wife detected grapefruit too (unusual vocabulary, but to me this is not unusual for ripe Californian pinot overall). Palate - attack is closed in sweet viscosity like syrup, that turns into linear dryness in the middle, and ends with increasing spiky acidity and thick broad tannin, which is much more than initially perceived. Despite initial candied syrupiness, this shift in mouth keeps it interesting and enticing to have next sip. Balanced despite 14.4% abv. Not particularly pleasurable per description above, but very rich and long. Worked nicely with Spanish/Japanese hybrid food (Paella/Takikomi-gohan) made of seafood, mushroom, and rice. I like the lack of obtrusive oak (unlike other Californian pinot). Might work with northern Chinese food with cinnamon or sweet miso (tian mian jiang). Requires/rewards creativity to enjoy. 88-89.
Day 3 - chemical/candied aroma calmed down.Integrated into dark/purple tone consisting of ripe black plum and oak. Mouth got smooth, supple, and broad. Still a lot of concentration/tannin for PN, just a little bit reminiscent of Merlot from right bank Bordeaux overall, surprisingly. 89.
Day 4 - mellowed down. Smells and tastes like macha ice cream without sweetness, for good or bad. 88.
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1/12/2022 - vinochan Likes this wine: 88 Points
Oak on the nose and tongue, tannins are on the stronger side (may need time to open up), hints of plum, vanilla, slightest bit of honey. Medium body
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12/4/2021 - Bax62 wrote: 88 Points
I agree with KVM—ripe red fruits but light and elegant on the palate. Maybe a note of green tea? Nice QPR.
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11/22/2021 - YHK Likes this wine: 87 Points
뽕따로 먹기 좋은 느낌이었던 걸로 기억
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11/22/2021 - KVM wrote:
Medium red. Along with red berry fruit there is an interesting herbal element . I love the light weight and the overall feel of this. The fruit on the palate is wild and perfumed.
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11/4/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Smells like a straight ahead central coast pinot. A bit savory.
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11/3/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Ripe and powerful pinot fruit to it. Ripe and powerful.
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9/9/2021 - The Count of Notre Dame Likes this wine: 88 Points
This tasted very much like Gamay, not in a terrible way, but very far from a California style of pinot noir.
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9/1/2021 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
There is some smoky spice in there as well. And some raspberry fruit. Swirling opens it up more.
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