Calluna, Calluna Estate, Chalk Hill

Pleasant and balanced but not exactly jumping out of the glass. It has aged well and is still alive but I really don’t see this improving further. Tertiary is already developed, but there just isn’t enough intensity for further development. Better than five years ago though that’s for sure.

2013 vintage

Went very nicely with a seared T-bone, Rich, currants and cherries, still thick and a bit chalky in texture (duh, AVA after I typed that). Likely still a bit too young, but much better than bottle from ~5 years ago.

2013 vintage

Maple syrup and cola on the nose. Softer dark fruit, good freshness, dark fruit and cola on the finish.

2013 vintage

Getting better and better with age. I defy anyone to call this anything but a classified Bordeaux at blind tasting. I wish all of the Callunas were this good. Maybe more patience is required

2012 vintage

At early end of the drinking window. Lots of pencil lead mixed with blue and red fruits. Moderate tannins. Drinks like a left bank Bordeaux with a slightly cab dominant blend

2012 vintage

Classic and quite tasty. In a good spot, but no rush.

2012 vintage

Decanted. Deep, full black-garnet color, brightly toned with a thin, clear-garnet edge. Aromas of black currant & black cherry fruit, with leather, pipe tobacco, clove, black tea and star anise. Blackberry and currant on the palate, cool-toned, open & ripe, with secondary notes of baking spice, cedar and paprika. Medium-to-full in body, refined density, moderately long, with medium acidity and thick, plush tannins, moving toward a medium finish of black fruit and anise. Still very youthful, nice expression of fruit …

2013 vintage

Opened for an hour (no decant). Consistent with previous note, still tasting very well, slightly less fruit. 90-91.

2013 vintage

Drank my other bottles too early! This was really good with steak. Rich dark fruit, but not overdone; tertiary notes of dried violets and leather. Still lots of life left.

2013 vintage

-very good. Fruit is starting to date but still like the balance and structure

2013 vintage

Blinded this on some family members. Almost everyone (5 of 6) thought this to be Bordeaux. Well done, as this was fully integrated and in a good spot and really spoke of old world. Everyone recognized the quality of this.

2013 vintage

Dark red color. Seemed restrained and young. Dark fruit with medium depth. Reminded me a little of the single vineyard Sequoia Grove cabs but at a much better price point.

2013 vintage

corked

2012 vintage

very good. Perfect balance. Smooth, with dark fruit

2013 vintage

Needed a night or two of air to smooth out. Will wait another year or three for the next bottle.

2012 vintage

Wonderful nose - starting to get some savory notes on top of the fruit. Still not quite at its prime. I think it probably has a good 5-10 years left in the tank.

2013 vintage

Similar to my 7/20 note and the opposite of the last writer. With minimal air, medium vibrant fruit with well-integrated structure and lovely balance on night one. VG both on its own and as a match with mixed grill. 92+ if scoring. But on night 2, dead. Quaffable, but the intensity of the fruit, which no one was going to confuse with a cult cab to begin with, had fallen off a cliff. Maybe a gentlemen’s 87-88. Although this wine …

2013 vintage

Old school philosophy. Stands out for its acidity. Tannins are still pretty grainy and pronounced for a 9 year-old. Lots of mint and eucalyptus. Bright red fruit. Lacks a little bit of depth on the finish.

2012 vintage

Decanted. Deep opaque ruby-purple color lightening to ruby at the edges, bright. Aromas of plum and black currant, worn cedar, clove & allspice, pipe tobacco, leather, black tea. Deep black fruits and layered seamless secondary spices on the attack, nicely expressive and elegant. Expansive middle depth with acids nicely offsetting its richness, and roundly structured with plush full tannins. Closes with full depth and length, highlighting its black current and secondary clove and tea notes. The structure has settled in …

2012 vintage

Not great on first night, much better on day two. Will let my last bottle wait a few years. Have some of their 2013 Chalk Hill Cuvee and that seems to be similarly shut down.

2013 vintage

Finally after 3 tries, a good expressive bottle. Nice acidity, cedar and graphite and a hint of licorice like bitterness. Very claret like, still wish there was a touch more fruit. Very restrained Sonoma cab blend.

2013 vintage

Very good. Classic Bordeaux blend. Smooth and tasty

2013 vintage

A Cali Bordeaux blend with all the characteristics of a well-made wine. Gentle aromas of black cherry, cassis, cedar and pie spice. Palate has moderate acidity and polished tannins providing nice structure. Finish of fleshy red fruit, vanilla and herbal notes.

2013 vintage

Pnp - Dark purple in the glass. Nose seemed less expressive than our previous two bottles. Still interesting with red & black fruits, dried herbs, spice and licorice. Palate was spicy, full and balanced with the fruit and herbs dominating. Tannin is well integrated on a medium + finish and went well with grilled lamb chops. Last two glasses were good on day 3 but not as good as when first opened.

2013 vintage

Gilman must be out of his mind. The drinking window is outrageous. Like others have mentioned, this almost seems like it is watered down, there is no way napa/sonoma fruit clocking in at 14.1 can be so devoid of fruit. Taste almost more like a simple entry level bordeaux.

2013 vintage

Not a fan. Missing something... drank it over a few hours and it did not improve. A little watered down, if you will.

2013 vintage

This is an excellent blend. Will continue to age well over the next 5 - 10 years. I look forward to it.

2013 vintage

Vibrant and complex scent on the nose upon decant, opened up nicely after 30 minutes. Drank well but would do even better with a few more years.

2013 vintage

Can't rate this now, see notes on Kingboo thread from May 2020, something not adding up here yet, time will tell.

2013 vintage

Not great. Not sure if this is just too young, or...

2013 vintage

My 4/22/20 note says it all, and I'll add that it is good, but will agree with someone who wrote that it is just not memorable.

2013 vintage

Enjoyed but not super memorable.

2013 vintage

Deep dark garnet color. Aromatics of black cherry & currant, pressed flowers, red licorice, cedar, mint and hints of clove. Deep and concentrated black & red fruit on the attack, with a dense and rich middle showing integrating depth of savory spices, wood and stony earth. Thick, plush tannins with enough acidity to add cut to the structure. Broad and expansive finish. Recommend several more years on this one.

2012 vintage

Hhd

2012 vintage

Just starting to get into the drinking window. Another 2-3 years and it will be stellar. Great QPR.

2012 vintage

First of three. Double-decanted. Deep full garnet color. Tightly wound aromas- blueberry, currant, pressed lavender, dark spices, graphite, sage. Concentrated and rich on the palate, with bright blueberry and cassis fruit and thick layers of savory spices, melted stone and cedar. Medium to full weight, with tons of density and structure. Somewhat polished tannins, wide-grained and grippy. Juicy black fruits on the finish, moderate length. Great flavors, balance and bones, but needs a few years.

2012 vintage

Really pretty cabernet expression here. Black current and black tonned fruit on the Cabernet. Lean but in a good way, graphite, long, needs to ease in.

2012 vintage

That's beautiful and red fruited. Very pretty on the nose. And long on the palate. Leaner for sure but great length, struck and vibrancy, tension, very young. Lots of stuffing 59% cAb, 25% merlot, 7% franc, 5% Malbec. With 12 the estate offering will go up a bit. Just opened. Now offering more mint and earth and complexity on the nose. Lots of structure still.

2012 vintage

Calluna wine event at CBCC with David. The WOTN in the flight preceded by the 2012 Merlot, 2012 CVC, 2011 Colonel's Vineyard, 2011 Estate. Much more to my flavor profile. The most fruit forward of the night but still severely restrained French influence. Likely the most ageable of the wines which could use several years before opening. Blackberry fruits with evident cedar and a 15 second finish.

2012 vintage

In bottle now since June of 14. Savory in a herb way (and I mean that in the best possible way). More knit together Kenny notes, And darn, I agree, super knit together. Serious wine.

2012 vintage

Super tight and would not budge, this wine needs time.

2012 vintage

Fruit forward nose with dark cherry, blackberry, cedar box, and a hint of band aids but not in a bad way. Full flavor concentration, firm tannins, good acidity. Nice wave of heat late that comes off as warmth not peppery spice which I like. Nice long cherry finish.

2001 vintage

Are you sure?

Calluna, Calluna Estate, Chalk Hill

Vintages

No vintages

Community Reviews