Bouchaine 2021 Estate Selection Calera Clone Pinot Noir Carneros 750ml

Bouchaine Vineyards sits in the heart of the Carneros AVA, in southern Napa Valley, where shallow clay loam soils have proven ideally suited to Pinot Noir. The estate has built a genuinely compelling program around clonal exploration — bottling separate expressions of Pommard, Swan, Dijon, and Calera clones side by side, each grown on the same estate but expressing genuinely distinct personalities depending on the specific clone. Of that lineup, the Calera Clone consistently emerges as the most ethereal: as one sommelier tasting through the full range put it, this bottling shows "more lifted, perfumed, and floral" character than its siblings, with "beautiful mulberry, strawberry, and flowery incense notes," medium to full-bodied with "a pure, elegant mouthfeel, fine-grained, slightly savory tannins, and a great finish" — concluding simply: "it's another absolutely gorgeous Pinot Noir from this team that readers will love."

Wine Enthusiast's blind tasting awarded 94 Points, finding "beautiful aromas of red cherries and cinnamon" giving way to "sunny black cherries, dark plums and cloves on the palate of this smooth, broad and delicious wine," with "light tannins and light acidity" keeping the wine "appetizing despite its ripeness." Wine Spectator's own coverage confirms the same aromatic profile, describing the wine as leading "with flashy boysenberry and mulberry fruit notes." A separate professional review found it "a lovely wine," with "charming aromas of rose petals, cherries and plums." CellarTracker's community has rated the vintage 92.3 points on average across six reviews — a genuinely strong, consistent showing across both professional critics and everyday tasters.

2021 was described by the Bouchaine team as "a killer vintage" — a season shaped by, in their own words, "a little sun, a bit of water, and a lot of hard work in the vineyard." The Calera clone itself carries real mystique in the Pinot Noir world, long associated with the celebrated Calera Wine Company in San Benito County, and known for producing genuinely perfumed, aromatically complex wines when it performs well. This bottling is a real showcase of exactly that character — floral, elegant, and refined, from one of Carneros' most respected Pinot Noir producers.

Origins & Craftsmanship

Bouchaine Vineyards is located in the Carneros AVA in southern Napa Valley, California, where shallow clay loam soils are considered ideally suited to growing both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The estate produces a notable lineup of single-clone Pinot Noir bottlings from its own vineyards, including Pommard, Swan, Dijon, and Calera clones, allowing direct comparison of how each distinct clone expresses itself on the same estate terroir.

The 2021 growing season was shaped by favorable conditions throughout — described by the Bouchaine team as "a killer vintage," achieved through a combination of sun, water, and careful vineyard work. The Calera Clone Pinot Noir is estate-grown and vinified as its own distinct bottling, separate from Bouchaine's other clonal selections.

Critics Reviews

Wine Enthusiast — 94 Points:
"Beautiful aromas of red cherries and cinnamon give way to sunny black cherries, dark plums and cloves on the palate of this smooth, broad and delicious wine. Light tannins and light acidity keep it appetizing despite its ripeness."

Wine Spectator — 93 Points:
"Leads with flashy boysenberry and mulberry fruit notes, but..."

Professional tasting note (additional):
"A lovely wine, the 2021 Pinot Noir Estate Selection Calera Clone boasts charming aromas of rose petals, cherries and plums."

CellarTracker community — 92.3 average (6 reviews)

Tasting Profile

Nose
Lifted, perfumed, and floral, with mulberry, strawberry, and flowery incense notes, alongside red cherry, rose petal, and cinnamon.

Palate
Medium to full-bodied, with a pure, elegant mouthfeel and fine-grained, slightly savory tannins. Sunny black cherry, dark plum, and clove carry through, balanced by light acidity that keeps the wine appetizing despite its ripeness.

Finish
Great length, closing with refined tannin structure and lingering dark fruit and spice — a genuinely elegant, memorable finish.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

• Roast duck or squab
• Grilled salmon
• Mushroom-forward dishes
• Soft, earthy cheeses