For the past 30 years plus, Josh Jensen, founder of Calera Wine Co. has laboriously carved vineyards in the limestone slopes of Mount Harlan. His quest to find the limestone soils that would match those of Burgundy and create wines in the mold of the famous Burgundian producers has proven it’s worth time after time. Jensen is unabashedly traditionalist and this focus has led to wines with an unbelievable ability to age for years, a rare occurrence for California Pinot Noir.

The latest releases from Calera are all on the mark, but the 2004 Selleck Vineyard Pinot Noir is especially outstanding. As noted by the winemaker, “the 2004 Selleck is a complete package! Alluring aromas of sweet ripe summer berries, licorice and dried herbs lead into an incredible mid-palate. The wine is all at once fruitful, juicy, velvety and exceptionally rich. This is a well-structured wine with opulent fruit, vibrant acidity, and toasty oak wrapped around a core of finely integrated tannin.” Give this one a try right now or lay it down for 2-4 years of bottle aging, with a potential life up to 15 years. Either way, you will be knocked out.