Calera Chardonnay Central Coast 2020

Josh Jensen learned from the best on his way to building his iconic brand. The American wine pioneer and founder of Calera, spent years in Burgundy learning from some of the best before starting his own winery in the Central Coast of California. His mentors told him that in order to grow great Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, you had to find limestone soil, so Josh spent the next two years going up and down California looking for just that.

About 100 miles south of San Francisco he found a limestone rich parcel near Mt. Harlan that caught his eye after nearly two full years searching. He purchased a small plot and began planting. In his first few years, he made only Zinfandel from other peoples’ vineyards in order to fund his winemaking. Then, when his Burgundian plantings began to bear fruit, that was all she wrote.

Robert Parker famously said “Calera is one of the most compelling Pinot Noir specialists of not only the New World, but of Planet Earth.” Josh has was recognized by Wine Spectator in 2013 as the Cover photo and the featured article. His wines have been turning heads for decades now.

His Chardonnays are made in the style of Burgundy, thanks to Josh’s special DRC training. From top to bottom, his white wines shine as high-toned, expressive Chardonnays ala a Vire Clese. They always receive big press, though the 2020 just came out recently, so it hasn’t been scored yet. We’ve heard that Wine Spectator, Wine Enthusiast and others will chime in. These are great wines to snag while we have them in.