Chalone 2022 Pinot Noir Estate Vineyard

Chalone 2022 Estate Vineyard Pinot Noir is a distinctive California Pinot that captures the rugged mountain terroir of the historic Chalone AVA in Monterey County. Rich yet balanced, the wine shows vibrant red fruit layered with earthy complexity, spice, and the signature limestone-driven minerality that has long defined Chalone wines. Elegant but structured, it reflects both the cool climate and the dramatic elevation of this iconic Central Coast vineyard.

Origins & Craftsmanship
Chalone Vineyard is one of California’s most historic wine estates, originally planted in 1919 on a remote mountain plateau in Monterey County. The vineyard sits at elevations reaching roughly 1,800 feet, where strong coastal winds, cool nights, and limestone-rich soils create ideal conditions for Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

The 2022 Estate Pinot Noir is produced entirely from grapes grown on the Chalone estate. The vineyard’s unique mix of limestone and decomposed granite soils contributes a distinctive mineral character that separates Chalone wines from most California Pinot Noirs.

Fermentation is carried out to preserve varietal expression, followed by aging in French oak barrels for approximately nine months (about 35% new oak). This maturation adds layers of spice and texture while allowing the fruit and mineral elements to remain at the forefront.

The resulting wine reflects the character of the Chalone appellation—structured, complex, and capable of aging while still approachable in its youth.

Critics Reviews

• James Suckling – 94 Points
  Suckling describes the wine as “a dense and old-school pinot noir… with dried strawberries, cedar and spice,” praising its layered structure and solid tannins.

• Wine Enthusiast – 93 Points
  Wine Enthusiast highlights earthy aromas of toasted wood and coffee with boysenberry, noting a palate rich in baked berry flavors and spice with oak on the finish.

• Tasting Panel – 93 Points
  Tasting Panel emphasizes the wine’s balance between ripe fruit, minerality, and bright acidity shaped by the region’s dramatic diurnal temperature shifts.

Tasting Profile

Nose:
Aromatic layers of cherry, dried strawberry, boysenberry, and cedar, accented by hints of toasted oak, coffee, and baking spice.

Palate:
Medium-bodied and structured with ripe red berries, plum, clove, and subtle vanilla, supported by mineral tension and polished tannins.

Finish:
Long and refined with lingering spice, red fruit, and chalky minerality.

Quick Overview

Food Pairings

This Pinot Noir pairs beautifully with:

• Roast duck or duck confit

• Grilled salmon or tuna

• Herb-roasted chicken

• Mushroom risotto

• Soft cheeses such as Brie or Camembert