Kalaris Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast

WHY WE LOVE IT

  • Gus only wanted to make a Pinot Noir if he was able to find sites that could produce something lighter and more elegant than is the norm in modern-day Sonoma, and he has hit the nail on the head with this silky cuvée.

Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir (clones Pommard and 115)

Elaboration: Traditional fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel vats. Ageing is completed in 60 gallon French Oak barrels for 16 months.

Tasting Notes: Displaying aromas and flavors of strawberry jam, raspberry and black cherry with a tinge of white pepper and fresh fig all leading to a long, focused crescendo with verve and persistence.

PRODUCER BACKGROUND

If you haven’t had the pleasure of spending time with Gus Kalaris you should – Gus is a larger-than-life personality who divides his time between his native Greece, Baltimore, and the Napa Valley. Many know of Gus as the founder and principal of Constantine Wines, a market-leading wine distribution company he founded in the early eighties. About a decade ago Gus purchased a home surrounded by ten acres of vineyards in Calistoga, with a goal of producing world-class wines reflective of Calistoga’s terroir with a sprinkle of Greek gravitas. To achieve this, Gus has partnered with Robert Egelhoff, one of Napa Valley’s most sought-after winemakers who comes with a star-studded resume which includes time collaborating Bill Harlan, Bob Levy, and Michel Rolland, and winemaking at Bella Vista, Amizetta, Robert Craig, and David Arthur Vineyards. On the farming side of things Manny Gomes oversees all aspects of the company’s vineyard operations. The wines are separated into three lines – Axios, Kalaris, and Worthy.

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