{"title":"Calera de Villiers Mount Harlan","description":null,"products":[{"product_id":"calera-de-villiers-mount-harlan-pinot-noir","title":"Calera de Villiers Mount Harlan Pinot Noir","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCalera de Villiers Mount Harlan Pinot Noir\u003c\/strong\u003e is a single-vineyard 100% Pinot Noir from California's Mt. Harlan AVA, bottled at approximately 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2022 vintage earned 96 points from James Suckling, reinforcing the de Villiers vineyard's reputation as one of the most compelling Pinot Noir sites in the state.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQuick Facts:\u003c\/strong\u003e ABV: ~14.5%  |  Origin: Mt. Harlan AVA, Gabilan Mountains, California  |  Single Vineyard  |  Winery: Calera Wine Company\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eProduction \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eCalera Wine Company was founded by Josh Jensen, who spent time in Burgundy and became convinced that limestone soil was the non-negotiable ingredient for world-class Pinot Noir. He eventually identified a site in the Gabilan Mountains, roughly 25 miles east of Monterey Bay, where limestone deposits mirrored those found in the Côte d'Or. Calera remains the only winery in the Mt. Harlan AVA, with vineyards planted at an average elevation of 2,200 feet — among the highest and coolest sites in California. The de Villiers bottling is aged in 100% French oak, with a barrel program of 30% new, 20% second-vintage, and 50% neutral barrels, allowing the vineyard character to stay in the foreground rather than being overwhelmed by wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eTasting Notes\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e The nose opens with ripe blackberry and black cherry, moving into more complex layers of sassafras, soft leather, and white pepper. A subtle briar-patch quality adds a wild, untamed dimension alongside hints of allspice.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTaste:\u003c\/strong\u003e The entry is plush with juicy blueberry and black raspberry, framed by velvety tannins. At mid-palate, tart cranberry and red cherry meet stony mineral tones — a signature of the limestone bedrock. The wine builds toward deep, penetrating flavors of ripe plum and cassis, punctuated by suggestions of black tea.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFinish:\u003c\/strong\u003e The finish is long and textured, with crushed stone, baked earth, and a slight plum-skin tang that lingers well past the last sip. Fine-grained tannins keep the structure taut without turning austere.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eHow to Drink de Villiers Pinot Noir\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eServe between 58–62°F; a 30-minute decant opens the aromatics considerably, especially in younger vintages. This wine is built for the table and rewards thoughtful pairing: try it alongside roasted duck breast with cherry reduction, where the wine's dark fruit echoes the sauce; pan-seared wild salmon with mushroom risotto, where earthy undertones align with the wine's mineral spine; or herb-crusted rack of lamb, whose savory char plays against the Pinot's spice notes.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eBest For\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cul\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eGifting a Burgundy enthusiast curious about California limestone terroir\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eA special-occasion dinner centered on game, poultry, or mushroom-based dishes\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eBuilding a vertical collection of Mt. Harlan single-vineyard Pinot Noirs\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003cli\u003eBlind-tasting alongside premier cru Burgundy to explore the limestone connection\u003c\/li\u003e\r\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat does de Villiers Pinot Noir taste like?\u003c\/strong\u003e It leads with ripe black cherry, blueberry, and plum, layered with crushed stone minerality, black tea, and allspice. The tannins are velvety but firm, with a long stony finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow does de Villiers compare to Burgundy Pinot Noir?\u003c\/strong\u003e Both share limestone-derived minerality and a savory, earth-driven backbone, but the de Villiers typically shows riper, darker fruit and slightly higher alcohol than most village-level red Burgundy, reflecting its warmer daytime temperatures and higher-elevation sunshine.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs de Villiers Pinot Noir good for aging?\u003c\/strong\u003e Yes — the combination of structured tannins, balanced acidity, and mineral depth gives this wine a solid aging window; multiple vintages have scored 94–96 points from major critics, suggesting wines that reward patience.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere is de Villiers Pinot Noir made?\u003c\/strong\u003e It is produced by Calera Wine Company from the de Villiers vineyard within the Mt. Harlan AVA, located in the Gabilan Mountains of San Benito County, California, at approximately 2,200 feet elevation.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat foods pair well with de Villiers Pinot Noir?\u003c\/strong\u003e Roasted duck breast highlights the wine's dark fruit; wild mushroom risotto mirrors its earthy minerality; herb-crusted lamb matches its spice and structure; grilled quail with blackberry glaze complements the berry intensity; and aged Gruyère bridges the wine's savory, stony finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat sizes does de Villiers Pinot Noir come in?\u003c\/strong\u003e The standard release is a 750ml bottle.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs de Villiers Pinot Noir worth the price?\u003c\/strong\u003e This bottling positions as a premium single-vineyard California Pinot Noir, and its consistent 94–96-point critical scores across multiple vintages support its standing among the upper tier of domestic Pinot, particularly for those who value limestone-driven terroir expression.\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cu\u003eWhy de Villiers?\u003c\/u\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\r\n\u003cp\u003eCalera's Mt. Harlan estate is the only winery in its own AVA — a distinction that underscores just how singular this terroir is. The de Villiers vineyard sits on the limestone bedrock that Josh Jensen spent years searching for, and the wine it produces consistently translates that geology into a mineral-laced, age-worthy Pinot Noir. With 96 points from James Suckling on the 2022 vintage and 95-point scores from Jeb Dunnuck and Wine \u0026amp; Spirits on other recent releases, this bottling has earned sustained critical attention rather than flash-in-the-pan hype. For drinkers who believe great Pinot Noir starts in the soil, de Villiers is among the most compelling arguments California has to offer.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Calera de Villiers Mount Harlan","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44837486887081,"sku":"23478","price":89.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0680\/1024\/6313\/files\/Calera-de-Villiers-Mount-Harlan-Pinot-Noir__16193.jpg?v=1730484111"}],"url":"https:\/\/theliquorbarn.com\/collections\/calera-de-villiers-mount-harlan.oembed","provider":"The Liquor Barn","version":"1.0","type":"link"}