Production Notes
Varietal Content: 100% Pinot Noir; Winemaking: 17 months, 100% French oak, 30% new, 10% second, 60% neutral
Winemaker Notes
Beautifully complex and layered, this Pinot Noir offers inviting aromas of bright red cherry, sweet tobacco leaf and sassafras, along with hints of Mediterranean herbs. The cherry notes are echoed on the palate, where they mingle with flavors of wild strawberry, thyme and spice. Youthful tannins add weight and texture to the vibrant flavors, while also promising a long life in the bottle.
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.