1 | Wine | Pinot Noir, Central Coast, 86 or higher

"Calera’s 2011 Pinot Noir Central Coast wafts from the glass with freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries and mint. This is a fairly laid-back vintage for the wine, with less of the pure breed of the 2009 and 2010, but frankly that may be an unfair comparison as those wines were superb over achievers. The 2011 is more an inline performer. The tense, saline finish laced with pretty floral and spiced notes is lovely."

"Dark ruby. Blackberry, cherry and sassafras on the pungent nose. Fleshy and expansive, offering deep red and dark berry flavors and a hint of bitter chocolate. Picks up spiciness with air and finishes on a smoky, slightly bitter dark berry note, with good thrust and persistence. This assertive pinot could handle richer foods."

"The pure ripe plum and black cherry fruit joins spice and wilted rose notes for a complex, delicate mix of flavors, gaining on the finish."

"This is a richer, deeper style than the Rincon. Layers of dark cherries and plums emerge from this fleshy, pliant Pinot Noir. The inner sweetness and perfume weave through effortlessly to a round, inviting finish."

"Subtle and intense, with a pure, juicy core of blackberry and raspberry, offering spicy oak and floral notes. Gains on the long finish."

"A pretty, gracious wine, the 2010 Pinot Noir shows the more elegant, feminine side of Pinot. Crushed flowers and red berries are some of the nuances that take shape in the glass. Despite its mid-weight personality, there is no shortage of depth in the aromas and flavors. This is a gorgeous wine."

"Bright red. Sexy aromas of black raspberry, cinnamon, minerals and potpourri; smells like there are stems here but Kathy Joseph says no. Precise and vibrant on the palate, with good nervy cut to its intense flavors of candied red berries and spicecake. Still youthfully taut and bound-up but shows excellent potential. Turns more floral with air, finishing with tangy grip and a lingering hint of Asian spices. This pinot shows impressive vivacity for its warm vintage."

"Another super-impressive wine from Foxen. It combines some of the ethereal feel of the Julia’s with the weight of the Sea Smoke. If that sounds appealing, believe me, it is. This is a marvelous Pinot loaded with class and finesse. The Bien Nacido Block 8 (along with the Julia’s) is one of the least expensive of the 2010 Pinots, yet I find it the most compelling of the bunch."

"Captures a rich, vivid mix of dark berry, spice, loamy earth and cedar, with the blackberry and wild berry flavors driving the core. Ends with chewy, gripping tannins that let the flavors cling."

"Calera’s 2011 Pinot Noir Central Coast wafts from the glass with freshly cut flowers, sweet red berries and mint. This is a fairly laid-back vintage for the wine, with less of the pure breed of the 2009 and 2010, but frankly that may be an unfair comparison as those wines were superb over achievers. The 2011 is more an inline performer. The tense, saline finish laced with pretty floral and spiced notes is lovely."