If a California cowboy back in the day were to take his horse to the old town road and ride ‘til he can’t no more, he’d end up in Chalone high atop the Gavilan mountain range. That’s how remote this very first appellation of the Central Coast is. Since its planting in 1919, the Chalone Vineyard remains the only winery out there! Yet the famously age-worthy wines, and oh those gnarly and happy old vines that have cracked through the unique limestone and granite soils to make them are, the stuff of legends…

An alluring play of colors from shades of pale scarlet-ruby to deeper streaks of magenta-purple. Rich raspberry, plum, red currant, black cherry, mineral, spice, and cedar notes are all in a harmonious perfume. Deep, subliminally complex and subtly concentrated on the palate, with supple tannins and a focused vivacity throughout, while graceful and eloquent on the lingering finish, echoing bright berries and festive spices all along. Cellaring this exquisitely classic Pinot will reward, yet today it will pair well, after breathing a bit, with a truffle rubbed roast chicken and wild rice.

Matt Kettmann in his article titled ‘California’s Standout 2016 Vintage of Pinot Noir’ for the Wine Enthusiast wrote “I am ready to declare 2016 as a banner year for Central Coast Pinot Noir… the results are remarkable.” and that is exactly what was captured in this wine. Around the same time Mike Dunne reporting for the Sacramento Bee was ringing in the rebirth of the glory days at Chalone; “On the eve of his first harvest as associate winemaker for Chalone Vineyard, Gianni Abate is awestruck by the legacy with which he has been entrusted. During a tour of Chalone’s vineyards and cellar, he marvels repeatedly at the diligence and daring required to convert a hot and arid spread of chaparral high above Salinas Valley into one of California’s more storied wineries.”

Another historic moment of note for Chalone was ranking 3rd place at the famous 1976 Judgement of Paris blind tasting, considered a major turning point of global acceptance that earned American wines a respectable reputation in a French-dominated world. To be able to offer a Pinot of this legacy and caliber to our Operatives with 44% savings is, in our humble Wine Spies realm, another historic event. So this is an invitation to join the party and explore what Chalone is all about for less than 20 bucks? Yeehaw!

Here is what the wine press has to say:

91 Points – Wine Enthusiast - “Clean and crisp aromas of pomegranate and raspberry are brushed with a hint of cola spice on the nose of this bottling. The palate is fresh and tangy with red-plum and hibiscus flavors that are lifted with a pinch of white pepper.”