TDG: Wine Camp: Left Brain, Right Brain

[Fat Guy]

Which side of his brain does Craig Camp sleep on?

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[Carema]

Just recently when I tasted Josh's recent stuff, the alcohol was so BITCHIN it hurt both sides of my brain. ouchy! Viognier at 15.6% is a double whammy before breakfast.

[Echezeaux]

I would say Mr. Camp's palate was in neutral if he believes his assertion that Josh Jensen makes "great" Pinot Noirs. Of course, this opens the discussion to defining what makes "great Pinot Noir."

I have not found very many great wines in the Calera portfolio since the winery's inception in the mid-1970s. The wines are certainly a bold statement, frequently. Whether or not one likes those statements is another issue.

Most Burgundy wines don't have the alcohol levels of Calera Pinot Noirs. Further, they often have a backbone of acidity. Many vintages of Calera have had odd, funky, herbal, weedy and gamey notes. Few upper echelon Burgundian vintners would be proud to have in their bottles the wine Mr. Jensen has in his.

Note to Carema: please pour that Viognier in a highball glass and be sure to have a wedge of pineapple in it. But be careful not to poke yourself in the eye with the little umbrella toothpick.

[Craig Camp]

I would say Mr. Camp's palate was in neutral if he believes his assertion that Josh Jensen makes "great" Pinot Noirs.  Of course, this opens the discussion to defining what makes "great Pinot Noir." 

I have not found very many great wines in the Calera portfolio since the winery's inception in the mid-1970s.  The wines are certainly a bold statement, frequently.  Whether or not one likes those statements is another issue. 

Most Burgundy wines don't have the alcohol levels of Calera Pinot Noirs.  Further, they often have a backbone of acidity.  Many vintages of Calera have had odd, funky, herbal, weedy and gamey notes.  Few upper echelon Burgundian vintners would be proud to have in their bottles the wine Mr. Jensen has in his.

Note to Carema: please pour that Viognier in a highball glass and be sure to have a wedge of pineapple in it.  But be careful not to poke yourself in the eye with the little umbrella toothpick.

Well it would appear that thousands of people agree with me about Calera and buy and collect Josh's pinot noir wines every year. It also is quite apparent that thousands of people agree with you and don't buy Calera pinot noir. I have been tasting the wines of Calera for over twenty years and (contrary to you) respectfully disagree with your opinion, which you are so sure is the only right opinion and you are right - for you anyway. In this case we are both right, but our tastes diverge.

[Andre]

A definite mind exercise, Craig.

Seems very interesting but I must confess, do need time to digest something like that.

Pino Nero is a brilliant example, surely something that deserves full attention and thought.

If I may, I would like to add the Pinot Nero produced by Hofstatter in Alto Aldige.

Amazing, the different styles and intensity a single winery can produce from one grape.

cheers.

Edited December 4, 2003 by Andre (log)

[Echezeaux]

In the realm of Pinot Noirs, I would be hard-pressed to have a wine from Calera on either a short or long list of "must haves". But everyone, as you note, should buy and drink wines which "work" for them.

I, for one, have found many really strange wines from Calera. But beauty is in the eye of the beholder!

[tcizma]

I am definitely a fan of Josh Jensen 's wines. I think what makes them special for me is his unconventional approach. I will also say that nothing does it for me more than a truly great burgundy, but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy a different style of wine as well.

Calera wines are made with passion and care, and that makes them worth drinking and appreciating alone, in my opinion.

I recently drank a bottle of 1978 late harvest Calera zinfandel that was showing tremendous life.