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 September 16, 2023 at Home with Joel]
Wine is 2019 Paige Cuvee Ritchie Vineyard Chardonnay from Russian River Valley. Purchased during September 2022 visit. Pear, grapefruit, apple and melon with a hints of banana and ginger, oaky vanilla, minerality and spice. Beautiful wine. — 6 months ago
[Tasted on November 22, 2022 at Audrey in Nashville with Michael and Rachel]
Purchased during visit to winery in September 2022. Fruit is sourced from Petaluma Gap (Sonoma Coast AVA) and wine is aged in 55% new French oak. Cherry, raspberry and strawberry fruit, with graphite, earth and rose petals. Fresh, lively and well balanced. — a year 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. — 8 months ago
Checking in after a couple years since last tasted. I remember thinking it was tight and tannic. Let it open for two hours and it still can use time. It’s showing tho and it’s great. The nose is much more expressive. Red fruit and baking spices. The pallet is charred oak, graphite, coffee, bitter chocolate, black fruit and cherry. Finish is smoky tannins that go on forever. Self - don’t try again for 2-3 years. — 9 months ago
Took a while to settle. A black berry aftertaste. Very nice vino — 3 years ago
Paul K
It’s been three years since last tasting. Remember as tannic, tight, and needing time. Decanted for four hours. Still tannic but showing more now. It’s really nice. Continued to open over next three hours. You have to work for the nose. Violets, graphite, wet gravel, cigar box, dill,and charcoal. Palate black cherry and currant. Tannins influence to make things a bit bitter especially on end. Self don’t touch other bottles until 2028. — 2 months ago