Owen Bargreen - 2024 Wine Review

2018 Caliza Roussanne- The 2018 Roussanne is a limited production wine that was just released. This sat two and a half years in older neutral oak before bottling. This stands out with its golden hue, showing nutmeg dusted hazelnut, lychee, ripe peach and shades of white flowers on the nose. The texture is downright awesome as rich orchard and tropical fruits combine with shades of Macadamia nut on the palate. Seamless and soft, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2024-2032- 94

2021 Caliza Grenache- This 2021 Grenache is mostly from the Caliza estate but also two other vineyards. Stored for 20 months in large format French oak barrels, this will be released in April 2024. The nose is beautifully perfumed with red rose petals, roasted figs, shades of cardamom and orange peel with dried herbs. The palate is plush and beautifully textured. The combination of chalky soils and weight here really makes your mouth water. While standing tall at 16% alcohol, you will never guess that with one sip. Drink 2024-2038- 95

2021 Caliza ‘Azimuth’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Azimuth’ combines 53% Mourvèdre with 35% Grenache and the remainder Syrah. Stored for 20 months in mostly used oak barrels, this offers beautiful aromatic range with smoked meats, black olive tapenade, salted black fruits and shades of tar. The palate is soft and refined with a silky texture. Big and bold with beautiful freshness and salty character, this is a totally stunning new wine by winemaker Carl Bowker. 400 cases made. Drink 2024-2040- 96

2021 Caliza ‘Sympatico’ Red WIne- This 2021 Sympatico combines 77% Tempranillo with the reminder Grenache. Aged in 20% new French oak, this delivers damp earth and chocolate with coffee ground tones on the nose. The palate shows great viscosity and verve with refined tannins. Rich dark fruits parade with chocolate covered espresso bean with menthol accents on the palate. This beauty is already drinking really well. 120 cases produced. Drink 2024-2036- 95

2021 Caliza Primitivo- This outstanding 2021 Primitivo has 15% Petite Sirah blended in. Chocolate and espresso grounds combine with tar and tobacco leaf. The palate is soft and refined with a smooth texture. The palate shows beautiful weight, displaying dazzling tension and good richness. Dense and chewy, with lifted tannins and a beautiful core of dark fruits, this is already drinking well right now. 16% alcohol but again you would not guess that. Drink 2024-2038- 94

2020 Caliza ‘Cohort’ Red Wine- The 2020 Caliza ‘Cohort’ Red Wine is a blend of 45% Petite Sirah with 30% Syrah and the remainder Grenache and Mourvèdre. The nose is shockingly good with mocha and creosote tones alongside smoked meats, allspice dusted black fruits and cigar box tones. The palate is deep and concentrated with a plush mouthfeel. Blueberry pie and Turkish coffee combine with roasted figs and shades of cardamom on the palate. A joy to drink now, enjoy this beauty over the next eight plus years. Drink 2024-2036- 95

2021 Caliza ‘Companion’ Red Wine- The 2021 ‘Companion’ is a Cabernet Sauvignon (50%) dominant wine with 42% Syrah and the remainder Petit Verdot. The wine comes off beautifully structured with a seductive mouthfeel. Deep dark fruits mingle well with dark chocolate shavings, tobacco leaf, and shades of exotic spices with green bell pepper accents from the Petit Verdot. Complex and delicious, savor this beauty now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2040- 95

2021 Caliza Syrah- This 2021 Estate Syrah did not see whole cluster fermentation and was stored in French oak (20% new) for 20 months before bottling. Six clonal selections of Syrah was blended into this wine. The nose is wonderfully salty and smoky with brisket and charcuterie notes alongside coffee grounds and shades of creme de violette. The palate is deep and concentrated with a terrific mouthful and beautiful tension. The chalky soil character really shines through in this beauty. This has a very Cote Rotie feel with its iodine and steak tartare core. Drink 2024-2038- 95

2021 Caliza ‘Reserve’ Syrah- The ‘Reserve’ bottling is only made in select years. This 2021 Syrah is a barrel selection wine that utilizes Alban-1, 174 and 470 clonal selections. Stored in 30% new French oak, this is inky in the glass, delivering rich dark currants, creme de violette, mocha, blackberry pie and smoked meats on the palate. Bright acidity and beautiful freshness lines this wine, with refined tannins. Concentrated with its black and blue fruits and showing serious structure and richness, this will surely be a 20 year wine. Drink 2025-2044- 96 

Erin Brooks of Robert Parker's Wine Advocate 2023 Review

2021 Caliza Grenache - "The 2021 Grenache matured for 20 months in French oak. It has a pretty, pure perfume of pomegranate, raspberry, Angostura bitters, autumn leaves and botanical undertones. The full-bodied palate is bursting with fragrant, spicy fruit. It has a chalky frame, fireworks of fresh acidity and a long, nuanced finish. 150 cases were made, and it will be released in the spring of 2024." - 94 points

2021 Caliza Azimuth - "The 2021 Azimuth is a blend of 53% Mourvèdre, 35% Grenache and 12% Syrah matured for 20 months in 30% new French oak. It takes some air to open from tar and earth to reveal blackberries, blueberries, lavender, tea leaves and conifer-like undertones. The medium-bodied palate features restrained, perfumed fruit supported by chalky tannins and refreshing acidity, and it has a long, nuanced finish. 400 cases were produced, and it will be released in the spring of 2024." - 94 points

2021 Caliza Sympatico - "The 2021 Sympatico is a blend of 77% Tempranillo and 23% Syrah matured for 20 months in 20% new French oak. It opens with soaring violet perfume over a core of blueberry, blackcurrant and laurel leaves, gaining nuance as it spends time in the glass. The full-bodied palate features mineral-driven fruit framed by chalky tannins and bursts of mouthwatering acidity, and it has a long, fragrant finish. It will benefit from 2-3 years in bottle. 120 cases were made; it will be released in the spring of 2024." - 93 points

2021 Caliza Primitivo - "The 2021 Primitivo was co-fermented with 15% Petite Sirah and matured for 20 months in 30% once-used oak. It opens with classic apricot and wild berry fruit and offers nuances of sagebrush, autumn leaves, coffee beans and dusty earth. The medium-bodied palate is slightly warm, with generous, ripe fruit, gently chewy tannins and juicy acidity, and it finishes with detailed earthy accents. 170 cases were made; it will be released in the spring of 2024." - 93 points

2021 Caliza Kän-Krēt Grenache - "The 2021 Kän-Krēt Grenache, matured for 11 months in concrete and puncheon, is pure and elegant. It has scents of cranberry, raspberry, Earl Grey tea leaves, underbrush and botanical nuances. The medium-bodied palate offers layers of perfumed fruit, spice and earth supported by chalky tannins and bright acidity, and it has a long, nuanced finish. 100 cases were made." - 93 points

2021 Caliza Syrah - "The 2021 Syrah, matured for 20 months in 80% new oak, takes plenty of air to open from tar and cassis to pure tones of violet, garrigue and blood orange. The full-bodied palate has bold, ripe, fragrant fruit framed by rounded tannins and bright acidity, and it has a long, layered finish. It will benefit from 2-3 years in the bottle. 375 cases were made; it will be released in the fall of 2024." - 94 points

2021 Caliza Companion - "The 2021 Companion is a blend of 50% Cabernet Sauvignon, 42% Syrah and 8% Petit Verdot matured for 20 months in 80% new French oak. It has youthfully coiled scents of coffee beans, cassis, violet and graphite with nuances of laurel leaves. The full-bodied palate offers well-defined flavors, finely grained tannins and juicy acidity, and it has a long, layered finish. 280 cases were made; it will be released in the fall of 2024." - 93 points