Jensen Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008

Robert ParkerThe 2008 Pinot Noir Jensen Vineyard bursts onto the palate with a rush of intensely perfumed fruit. It shows fabulous balance of fruit, structure and acidity as it covers the palate with dazzling purity and breathtaking sense of balance. A soft, caressing finish rounds things out in style. This is a super-refined showing from Josh Jensen. Anticipated maturity: 2013-2023.

I was deeply impressed with the wines I tasted from Josh Jensen and Calera. Vintage 2008 was not an easy one, as a severe spring frost reduced yields to less than one ton per acre. Most of the Pinots are made with 100% whole clusters. I am not sure each of these sites is ideally suited to such a high percentage of stem inclusion, especially in this vintage, but time will tell. Calera has what are easily the most informative back labels I have ever seen, with much more information and detail on each wine than I can reproduce here. Kudos to Josh Jensen for providing his customers with the maximum level of detail one could ever ask for. Unfortunately I was not able to taste the Chardonnays, but I will report on those wines as soon as possible.

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.

VinousThe 2008 Pinot Noir Jensen Vineyard is another very pretty and expressive wine. Floral and savory notes meld into a core of open-knit fruit. Sensual and inviting, the 2008 has enough aromatic complexity to provide plenty of of interest, while the firm tannins suggest the 2008 will drink well for another decade-plus. This is one of the more delicate, gracious wines in this vertical. Like all the best Calera wines, the 2008 speaks to balance above all else.