The 2000 Pinot Noir Jensen (yields of 1.06 tons of fruit per acre, or 15.9 hectoliters per hectare) exhibits a deep ruby/purple color as well as complex, sweet forest floor aromas intermingled with smoky, gamy, cherry and strawberry jam scents. This olfactory smorgasbord is followed by a big, firmly structured Pinot that requires 1-3 years of cellaring. Long, complex, and potentially superb, it will last for 12-15 years. It’s a beauty, but more backward, and less showy as well as open-knit on the palate than some of the other Calera Pinot Noirs.

This is one tough wine to evaluate. It’s not showing much of anything now beyond an oaky earthiness with hints of spicy cherry pie. A hit of tannins numbs the palate.Tasted twice, with consistent result.——S.H.(12/1/2004)—— 84