2015 Calera Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir Mills Vineyard
Sold Out
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.
95
Wine Enthusiast
Less than one-third of a ton per acre came off of this nearly 35-year-old vineyard from this drought addled vintage, but what made it to bottle is quite amazing. Aromas of earthy thyme, sagebrush, wild black cherry and cocoa are layered and elegant. The palate is rich and thoroughly engaging in flavors of roasted tomato, mulberry and purple flower.
Wine Enthusiast
95
Wine Review Online
94
Wine & Spirits
93
Wine Profile
Production Notes
Varietal Content: 100% Pinot Noir; Winemaking: 17 months, 100% French oak, 30% new, 10% second, 60% neutral
Winemaker Notes
In 2015, the Mills Vineyard yielded an alluring, red fruit-driven expression of Pinot Noir, with vibrant layers of Bing cherry and red plum, underscored by sophisticated notes of pine needles, earth, mushrooms and black pepper. On the palate, the tannins are round and supple, adding a plush textural element to the wine that accentuates the lushness of the flavors and carries the wine to a graceful finish.
Production
Though the 2015 growing season resulted in the earliest harvest ever at Calera, the quality of the vintage is exceptional, with our 2015 Mt. Harlan Pinot Noirs displaying elegant textures, with beautiful depth and complexity. A dry winter was followed by an early spring, which resulted in our vines blooming early, in mid-April. With little winter rainfall, 2015 also marked our fourth year of drought. While this led to lower-than-average yields, the small crop and a consistently warm summer ensured that the grapes ripened perfectly, with extremely well-balanced acid and Brix levels. Harvest began on August 26th with the majority of our grapes arriving in the winery in pristine condition by September 15th.
Wine Specs
Wine Specs
Vintage
2015
Varietal
Pinot Noir
Appellation
Mt. Harlan
Harvest Date
September 5 – October 13, 2015
Sugar
24.0° Brix at harvest
Acid
0.66 g/100 ml titratable acidity
pH
3.62
Fermentation
14 days fermentation at 60°F- 90°F
Alcohol %
14.5
Wine Enthusiast
95
Wine Review Online
94
Wine & Spirits
93