An excellent bargain in Pinot Noir, the 2008 Pinot Noir Central Coast offers a delicious introduction to the Calera style. Fifty percent whole clusters were used, and the wine was aged 11 months in Francois Freres Burgundy barrels, of which 10% were new. Bottled unfiltered, it is a blend of fruit from four separate Central Coast counties, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Benito, and Santa Clara. Attractive notes of roasted herbs, sweet and sour cherries, strawberry jam, sassafras, and earth emerge from this medium to full-bodied, supple-textured, seductive red. Drink it over the next 2-3 years. This may be the strongest group of wines Calera has produced in many years. From their less expensive whites through the generic and single vineyard Pinot Noirs, this remarkable portfolio showcases this idiosyncratic terroir isolated on Mt. Harlan. For starters, Calera has once again made the finest Aligote in America. Tel. (831) 637-9170; Fax (831) 637-9070

This fine Pinot Noir easily holds its own when tasted against far more expensive bottlings. It’s softly silky and delicately structured and enormously rich, offering delicious waves of raspberries, cherries, oranges, cola, beef jerky and black pepper. A perfect Pinot Noir to drink now. Easy to find, with nearly 13,000 cases produced.——S.H.(12/31/2010)—— 91