2021 Calera "de Villiers" Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir
96JD
96JS
95W&S
95WS
94WE
93DC
93RP
93VN
$89.95
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Only 1 left
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Culver City: 1
96
Jeb Dunnuck
The 2021 Pinot Noir de Villiers Vineyard is one of the bigger, richer, darker-fruited wines in the lineup, and it's built for the cellar. Currants, blackberries, spicy oak, and roasted herb notes all define this beauty, and it has a Grand Cru Burgundy-like richness and depth. With extended air (I followed this bottle for multiple days), it shows a classic, balanced, medium to full-bodied style and has ripe, integrated tannins and acidity, as well as a gorgeous finish. I'd be thrilled with bottles in the cellar. It deserves at least 4-6 years of bottle age, and it's going to see its 20th birthday, if not 30th, in fine form.
Professional Reviews
96
James Suckling
So distinctive, earthy, minerally and savory in character, tight in texture, vivid and concentrated. Flavors range widely from pepper and meat to sour cherries, black tea and sun-baked earth. Firm tannins give a grippy texture. Tons of minerality, with spice, bay leaf and star anise notes. Drinkable now, but best from 2029.
95
Wine & Spirits
The de Villiers block is named for Marq de Villiers, author of “The Heartbreak Grape,” which, in its time, was the definitive guide to pinot noir in California. Planted in 1997, the block produced a heady, plummy, vinous wonder in 2021. Its clove, cinnamon and generous black cherry scents carry plenty of oak character…and yet the rich, mouthcoating flavors never overreach. The wine’s tensile strength handles the heft without effort. This feels like it could age 30 years if you can keep your hands off it.
95
Wine Spectator
Offers a substantial core of lightly mulled black cherry and boysenberry fruit inlaid with ample structure in the form of lightly chalky grip, while singed anise, iris and black tea notes swirl in the background. The long finish smolders seductively. Best from 2025 through 2037.
Details
| Origin | Santa Maria/Santa Barbara, California, United States |
|---|---|
| Type/Varietal | Pinot Noir |
| Alcohol Content | 13.9% |
| SKU | 2009387 |