1988 Calera "Jensen" Mt. Harlan Pinot Noir

The 1988 Pinot Noir Jensen Vineyard is remarkably beautiful and light on its feet, which is incredible, considering the minuscule yields of just a half ton per acre. Sweet, perfumed and gracious, the 1988 boasts striking inner perfume, striking depth and fabulous balance. The long, pliant finish suggests the 1988 will drink well for another few years, although I can't imagine it will be more expressive than it is today. Drought conditisions and tiny yields combined to produce a head-turning Pinot that is still dazzling today. According to proprietor Josh Jensen '1988 was the worst drought year we had seen until the current cycle. I thought our vines were dying. We were trucking water up to the vineyard five times a day, which is unheard of for any kind of farming.' (AG)

A serious contender for best wine of the tasting. Mr. Parker’s seemingly hyperbolic notes on Calera’s 1988s are actually bang on. This was certainly one of the strongest vintages of the tasting across multiple vineyard blocks. Showing remarkably well for it’s age, tons of fruit, bold tannins, exotic spice, very concentrated.