Calera de Villiers Mount Harlan Pinot Noir (75cl, 14.5%)

A single-vineyard Pinot Noir from California's Mt. Harlan AVA, made by Calera Wine Company. The de Villiers bottling is aged in 100% French oak, with 30% new, 20% second-vintage and 50% neutral barrels. The 2022 vintage earned 96 points from James Suckling. The nose opens with ripe blackberry and black cherry, moving into sassafras, soft leather and white pepper, with a subtle briar-patch quality and hints of allspice. The palate is plush with juicy blueberry and black raspberry, framed by velvety tannins, with tart cranberry, red cherry and stony mineral tones at mid-palate, building to ripe plum and cassis with suggestions of black tea. The finish is long and textured, with crushed stone, baked earth and a slight plum-skin tang.