The 2006 Pinot Noir Mills Vineyard possesses a rusty, ruby color along with earthy, spicy, plum, cherry, dusty, weedy aromas, a supple texture, and velvety tannin, but little depth and richness. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. In retrospect, 2006 does not appear to be a very strong vintage for Calera Pinot Noir, but the wines are complex, approachable, and very Burgundian. In a completely different style, the more concentrated 2005s exhibit deeper color as well as more texture, depth, and length. This is a vintage for Calera that should age beautifully for 15 or more years, given the winery’s history of its top vintages aging brilliantly.Tel. (831) 637-9170; Fax (831) 637-9070

This is a good rendition of Mills, reminiscent of the fine 2003. It’s young now, with primary fruit flavors that are jammy, so decant if you drink before 2010. Otherwise, cellar it, and let the black cherry, raspberry, red currant and mocha flavors integrate with the oak and tannins.——S.H.(6/1/2009)—— 91