This was one of my wines from my annual WWC hosting. The other whites were Bereche Brut Reserve for the champagne, a 2015 Bongran EJ Thevent (burgundy) Chardonnay and a 2017 Moone-Tsai Ritchie Chardonnay.
Color me impressed. I have enjoyed Calera’s pinots quite a bit, but I haven’t had as much experience with the Chardonnay’s. It was almost like a Aubert Larry Hyde “lite”. As this was tasted blind, most guessed this was Chardonnay, but lots of back and forth on where it would be from. Initially, this toed the line between steely and slightly oaked with bright citrus, lemon, clean aromatics…but after an hour in the glass, this really bulked up and sported a down-the-middle type medium bodied profile. Not lean, not powerful. The tart lemon turned to a more lemon cream profile with lots of floral/honeysuckle notes, alongside herb crusted yellow fruits. No problem opening now, but I’d love to try another one of these in a few years. 92+ — 3 years ago
[Tasted on August 18, 2023 at etc in Nashville with Jay and on February 23, 2024 at Kayne Prime with Rachel]
Wine is 2019 Black List XXX, which is 100% Cabernet Franc sourced from Oak Knoll. Blueberry, blackberry and black raspberry fruit, with dried herbs. Silky and rich. — a year ago
Took a while to settle. A black berry aftertaste. Very nice vino — 3 years ago
100% Cab from Soda Canyon and Atlas Peak. Aged for 20 months in 42% New French Oak. Mild tannins and very European in style. Notes of sweet baking spices, tamarind, cedar, vanilla, and black fruit (Blackberries, Cherries, etc.). This one is right up there with Blacklist XIII, which was a 50/50 blend of Cab and Merlot, but very similar in style and structure. — 5 years ago
"Odedi"
Ruby/purplish in color with medium intensity and a wide reddish rim.
Nice nose of red fruits with spices, light oak, licorice, chocolates, herbs, earth, light bell pepper and spices.
Medium plus in body with medium acidity.
Dry on the palate with raspberries, cherries, red currants, peppercorn, dark chocolates, light earth and herbs.
Spicy finish with soft tannins and tangy raspberries.
This is a very tasty Pinot Noir from Santa Rita Hills in California. Elegant and fruit forward. Spicy and entertaining.
Well balanced with a nice mouthfeel, and heavier in style. A good quality wine that would be interesting to revisit in 3 years.
Good right out of the bottle, and better after an hour of airtime.
Easy drinking and good by itself or with food. I paired it with a charcuterie board of meats and cheeses. Paired nicely with the French Brie cheese.
Pinot Noir grapes (30% whole Cluster) were aged in 50% French oak barrels for 16 months.
14.9% alcohol by volume.
90 points.
$120. — 20 days ago