Four legendary California Pinot Noir producers on one shelf.
Calera Jensen Vineyard Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir 2021
Josh Jensen spent two years searching California for limestone soil. In 1974, he found it at 2,200 feet on Mt. Harlan. He lived in a trailer without electricity while planting Jensen Vineyard in 1975—named for his father.
The cuttings became the legendary Calera clone, now used by top producers statewide. Robert Parker called Calera "California's Romanée-Conti."
Winemaker Mike Waller continues Jensen's approach: 100% whole-cluster fermentation, ambient yeasts, bottled unfiltered. These 40-year-old organic vines deliver wild strawberry, tart rhubarb, concentrated blueberry and blackberry with rich cocoa undertones.
97 James Suckling | 96 Jeb Dunnuck | 95 Vinous | 93 Wine Advocate
Kistler Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2022
Founded 1978 by Steve Kistler and Mark Bixler. Their goal: terroir-driven, single-clone wines that transparently express site differences.
Kistler farms two heritage California selections—Calera and Swan clones—across fifteen vineyards from Carneros to Sonoma Coast. Native yeast fermentations in subterranean barrel chais. Minimal intervention. The wines are allocation-only and sell out in hours.
This Sonoma Coast bottling shows vibrant coastal fruit, fresh herbs, concentrated flavors, and lively acidity. Clean, precise, focused.
92 Vinous
Melville Sta. Rita Hills Estate Pinot Noir 2022
Ron Melville planted this estate in 1997, before Sta. Rita Hills was an AVA. His son Chad now farms 140 acres organically, blending 16 Pinot Noir clones—Mount Eden, Pommard, Swan, Calera.
Ocean fog and Pacific winds shape the terroir. Rose petals, sage, blood orange rind, black cherry. Incense, Indian spices, crushed rocks. Bright, fresh palate with fine tannins and seamless texture.
92 Vinous | 93 Wine Advocate
Arnot-Roberts Heaven & Earth Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2023
Duncan Arnot Meyers and Nathan Lee Roberts founded Arnot-Roberts in 2001. Childhood friends from Napa who pioneered the "New California" movement—whole-cluster fermentation, indigenous yeasts, little to no new oak. The San Francisco Chronicle named them "Winemakers of the Year."
Heaven & Earth sits 8 miles from the Pacific at 650 feet elevation. Decomposed schist soils. Organically farmed by Greg Adams. Deep color, soaring aromatics, wild berries, forest floor, fine-grained tannins.
94 Vinous | 93 Wine Advocate
60th & 2nd Avenue, NYC | sipnyc.com
