🏰 The 2018 Calera Pinot Noir Mills Vineyard is a highly-regarded Californian Pinot Noir from the Mount Harlan appellation. Planted in 1984 at an elevation of 2,200 feet, the Mills Vineyard consistently produces a wine that balances elegance and energy. The 2018 vintage benefited from a fantastic growing season with warm early spring weather, followed by cooler late-spring temperatures and moderate sunny days throughout the summer, leading to exceptional ripeness while preserving natural acidity. This wine is 100% Pinot Noir, aged for 18 months in 100% French oak (30% new), and fermented with native yeast. 【Its unique terroir on Mount Harlan, combined with meticulous winemaking, yields an effortlessly complex wine with a lovely balance of elegance and energy.】 🍴 This Pinot Noir offers classic red berry and cherry flavors, with deeper layers of lush black fruit, thyme, and white pepper. Tasting notes also mention blood orange, red tea, mulled raspberry, cinnamon, star anise, elderberry, blackberry, and chaparral herb. It pairs exceptionally well with chicken and turkey, filet mignon, pork tenderloin, lamb and veggie kebabs, pizza, pasta, and hard cheeses. Specific recommendations include pork tenderloin or veal Milanese with mushroom risotto. 🥂 The 2018 Calera Mills Vineyard Pinot Noir is considered a Cellar Selection, with a recommended drinking window from 2023–2038, suggesting it benefits from a few more years of bottle age. Its balanced acidity and medium tannic structure make it suitable for both immediate enjoyment after decanting and long-term cellaring. This wine is ideal for a special dinner, a gathering of wine enthusiasts, or as a thoughtful gift for a collector.