CalStar is one of the many small, family owned producers making wine from fruit sourced from vineyards throughout Northern California. These small producers are often the force driving innovation, especially with Pinot Noir, and always a source of new, exciting wines. Owner/winemaker Rick Davis has experience working with many of the big names in California Pinot, and decided to set out on his own, with the goal of creating food friendly wines with some capability for aging. The 2006 Londer Vineyard Pinot certainly fits that bill.
The CalStar Londer Vineyard 2006 Pinot is light garnet in the glass, with a ruby core. Aromas of raspberry, strawberry, and mulling spice greet the nose. The palate is darker, with ripe Bing cherry, licorice, earth, pepper and spice. Good acidity carries these fruit flavors onto a long, smooth finish. One of the most distinctive features of this wine is its velvety texture, so “typical” of pinot noir, yet so hard to find. It keeps you coming back for sip after sip, letting each one linger on your tongue.
Sourced from the Londer Estate vineyard in Mendocino (an Estate which produces lovely wine themselves, CalStar’s 2006 Londer shows the potential for this cool, foggy region to produce Pinot Noir that is balanced and elegant, yet packed with flavor. This wine really expresses the earthy and spicy notes that Mendocino is known for, making it the perfect match for lamb, mushroom risotto, or any other flavorful, earthy dish. A steal at 30% off!
Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Clonal Composition: Pommard, 2A, 115 and Swan
Harvest Date: Sept. 15 to Oct. 10, 2006
Brix: 26.5
Oak Regime: 40% New, 60% French, 40% Hungarian
Date Bottled: July 19, 2007
Alcohol: 14.2
pH: 3.65
TA: 5.63 g/L
RS: Less than 0.1%
Release Date: April 1, 2008
Production: 110 cases
Gold Medal
Generously packed with black cherry, cola, cassis, and plum that all intermingle together in a creamy, velvety texture with great layering, finishing with delightful notes of oak and spice. Persistent, well-defined structure, wonderfully balanced.
95 Points
Lofty aromas of dark cherries, blackberries, and plum mingle with hints of baking spices and a touch of violet. The palate reveals luscious flavors of ripe berries, complemented by notes of black pepper and a subtle earthiness. With well-integrated tannins and a long lingering finish.
Exceptional!
Reddish-purple in color with aromas of blackberry, plum, pomegranate, herbs de Provence, and licorice. The palate is full, structured and balanced with blackberry, currant, black cherry, cassis, and licorice that carries through, with notes of black pepper, mocha and chocolate. Very long, spicy, with a fruit-driven finish. Great aging potential.
92 Points
Inviting aromas of ripe cherry, strawberry, and pomegranate. The palate unfolds with layered flavors of black cherry, raspberry cordial, vanilla bean and spice, where focused tannins envelop, leading to a rich red fruit finish with blue fruit undertones.
90 Points
Rich and voluptuous with ripe raspberry, cherry, and plum, layered with hints of lavender, fig compote, and exotic spice. Concentrated and complex, the palate is a balanced interplay cocoa, and a hint of espresso, creating both richness and intrigue. Vibrant acidity and silky tannins that contribute heft and length that coat the palate with luscious ripeness that keeps on giving.
Gold Medal
Light pink in color with aromas of watermelon, cranberry, orange rind, and fresh spring flowers that leap from the glass. The palate offers more peach, strawberry, and melon, with an intriguing note of rose and hibiscus. It's crisp with just the perfect hint of red fruit, and delicate whisper of strawberry that gives goosebumps.
94 Points
Deep garnet in color from the ripe 2018 vintage, with open aromas of lush fruit – plum, blackberry, and cherry, and notes of cedar, vanilla, and white pepper. Across the palate it's quite seamless and silky, rich and concentrated. The fruit flavors are bold and vibrant. Mouth-filling with smooth tannins, great texture and a long delicious finish.
96 Points
Aromas of blackberry, black cherry, huckleberry, floral violet and savory spice. The palate is full and layered, with robust, age-worthy tannins and gorgeous flavors of dark berries, mocha and chocolate-covered cherries mingling with hints of graphite, fig and fine leather. Smooth tannins, firm structure and silky texture coat the palate on route to a long, generous finish.
94 Points
A classic expression of coastal influenced Chardonnay with aromas of honey, apple chutney, lime blossom, and gentle Indian spice box undertones. A big juicy entry on the palate, showing a silky texture with excellent tension and structure, ending with a complex, layered finish.
