Calera Pinot Noir Mills 2018

Calera Pinot Noir Mills Vineyard 2018 is a single-vineyard expression from one of California’s most pioneering Pinot Noir estates. Sourced from the limestone-rich slopes of Mount Harlan in the Central Coast, it captures the finesse, purity, and quiet power that have made Calera a benchmark for American Pinot. This vintage pays homage to the original vision of founder Josh Jensen, who famously championed Burgundian ideals in California long before it was fashionable.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Mills Vineyard shows a vibrant ruby to garnet hue with clear, youthful brightness at the rim. The nose is layered and expressive, offering notes of wild cherry, red plum, and cranberry, interwoven with rose petal, dried herbs, forest floor, and a touch of baking spice and mineral dust from the limestone soils. On the palate, this Pinot Noir is refined and medium-bodied, with silky yet structured tannins and a precise, racy acidity that keeps everything fresh and focused. Flavors of red cherry, raspberry, pomegranate, and blood orange are complemented by subtle oak tones—think clove, cinnamon, and a hint of cocoa—alongside savory notes of tea leaf and earth. The finish is long, mineral-driven, and elegant, suggesting a wine that will continue to evolve beautifully over the next 8–12 years, gaining complexity and tertiary nuance with proper cellaring.

Production
Mills Vineyard sits high on Mount Harlan in the Central Coast, where cool mountain air and limestone-rich soils create ideal conditions for nuanced, site-driven Pinot Noir. Calera farms these vines with great care, emphasizing low yields and meticulous vineyard work to ensure concentrated, balanced fruit. Harvest is typically done by hand, selecting only the best clusters at optimal ripeness. In the cellar, the grapes are gently destemmed (sometimes with a portion of whole clusters depending on the vintage) and fermented in small lots to preserve aromatics and texture. The wine is then aged in French oak barrels, a portion of which are new, allowing subtle integration of oak without overwhelming the purity of the fruit or the distinctive mineral character that Mills Vineyard is known for.

Food & Serving
This 2018 Mills Vineyard Pinot Noir is a versatile partner at the table, shining with dishes that echo its elegance and savory depth. Think roast duck with cherry glaze, herb-crusted pork tenderloin, mushroom risotto, cedar-plank salmon, or roasted poultry with root vegetables and thyme. It also pairs beautifully with earthy cheeses such as aged Comté or mild, nutty cow’s milk cheeses. Serve at 14–16°C (57–61°F) to highlight its aromatics and freshness. A gentle decant of 30–45 minutes is recommended in its youth to allow the wine to open up and show its full spectrum of fruit, spice, and mineral notes.

Producer
Founded in 1975 by Josh Jensen, Calera quickly became one of the most respected names in American Pinot Noir and a true “wine champion” for the Central Coast. Jensen sought out high-altitude limestone soils on Mount Harlan, inspired by the terroir of Burgundy’s Côte d’Or, at a time when few believed such conditions could be found in California. Over the decades, Calera’s single-vineyard bottlings—Mills among them—have helped define the region’s reputation for world-class, ageworthy Pinot Noir. The estate has earned critical acclaim and a loyal following for its commitment to site expression, meticulous vineyard practices, and a restrained, terroir-driven style that sets it apart within California and firmly places it among the iconic Pinot Noir producers of the New World.

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