Part 3 – Day 2 Morning/Lunch: Littorai and Bravas De Tapas
Littorai
This has been on my list for a while. I’ve known about Littorai for a while having had both retail gurus and somms wax rhapsodically about the genius of Ted Lemon. It did not hurt that when I visited the Bottle Barn, one of the most knowledgeable retail employees I have ever met (sorry that I do not remember his name), spoke reverently of Ted and Littorai, saying emphatically that he was not an OG, but rather the O.
As we ambled down narrow, farming roads and turned into the unmarked winery entrance, it is obviously a working winery and vineyard first, with all attention paid to the grapes, and little to impress visitors. Nonetheless, I was deeply impressed. What a place of raw, natural beauty. As we arrived, Luke greeted us in the small parking lot next to the small, only noticeable building at the location. Moments later, Ted and his two dogs walked buy us and Charlie, an Australian Shepherd, stopped to sniff us and see if we were worthy of the visit. We passed and were allowed to enter.
Luke started with a tour of the on-site Pivot Vineyard and what a tour it was. He started the tour by walking backwards down the trail explaining Ted’s history as an American running a Burgundian winery in his mid-20s. I knew of Ted’s exploits ahead of the visit, but the whole thing was fascinating. Luke went into great detail about how Ted had picked the coastal edges of Sonoma as his spot long before most realized the potential.
My wife does not drink much wine and drives me (and my chosen cohorts) to these tastings with a smile, a kiss, and a lot of humor, but she has never truly enjoyed them as much as ensured that I enjoyed them. However, this was an exception. She is the daughter of a farmer and hearing Luke’s recounting of Ted’s history, mission, and farming practices was fascinating to her. Pivot is an incredibly beautiful place. The raw beauty of the vineyard under the marine layer is surreal and not at all like most of the vineyards that I have visited. A place a natural beauty. A place of peace. A place a greatness.
On to the tasting . . . After touring the vineyard, we returned to the main building and walked to its side where a small tent with heaters was set up. The flowers and landscaping were stunning and a good reflection of the overall beauty of the location.
2025 Littorai Vin Gris
I have already spoken about Rose and the wonderful Chateau Simone that we had. It’s unfair to compare other Roses to Chateau Simone, but I will say that this is a delicious Rose of Pinot Noir. Such graceful strawberry and peach fruit balanced by high acidity. However, what sets it apart from most domestic Roses, is its saline finish – just brilliant and every bit a food wine. It has a lingering salty, mineral finish that remains memorable. It’s a different wine than the Chateau Simone, but yet it is a different wine than most domestic Rose and we purchased multiple bottles.
2024 Littorai Sonoma Coast Chardonnay
Though not a Chardonnay fan, this is an imminently enjoyable one – thanks largely to the medium plus acidity of this regional blend and the very judicious use of oak. Lots of pure, fresh apple on this wine – the oak influence is very subtle – it would pair oh so well with a St. Pete’s or Caveman Blue.
2024 Littorai Mays Canyon Chardonnay
Mouthfeel. Wow. This wine has a marked viscosity. There is French oak influence and this wine is young, but it’s a wine that will clearly age well and the mouthfeel makes you do a double-take when you first try it. It’s too young for me, but it’s a wine with a decade that could easily be one of those sublime sunset wines that reach greatness.
2024 Littorai Pivot Vineyard Pinot Noir
This is an incredibly elegant wine that needs more time. Solid tannic structure and acidity. Delicate red fruits and tea notes. This wine will age for a long time before it hits peak. Delicious now, but will reward patience.
2023 Littorai Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noir
Such a wonderful opportunity to taste the Williams Selyem rendition the day before vs. the Littorai rendition. Both are wonderful with Anderson Valley acidity, but the Littorai is much leaner with notable acidity. The fruits are darker, but this someway reminded me of a Goodfellow Whistling Ridge in terms of structure, lower alcohol, and balance. They were offering a library bottling of the 2018 which I purchased. I can tell by “library”, they mean stick it in your library and forget it, because the 2023 needs a lot of time and I doubt the 2018 is there yet.
2023 Littorai Richardson Ranch Pinot Noir
I do love Pinot and there are just a few wines that punch me in the face – Kapow! Holy smokes Batman! This was one of the best wines that I had on the trip. Red fruited with great tannic structure, but there is an electricity to the acid/fruit combination that I have rarely experienced. All I can say is this wine “pops”. Love. Love. Love. This wine will age for decades, but the crunchy red fruit, saline mid-palate, and mineral finish are fabulous now. Multiple bottles purchased.
Bravas Bar De Tapas
Another clear fail with the food pictures (sorry Otto). I guess I was too busy talking and eating and its a shame, because the presentation with all of the dishes was outstanding. I told myself as we sat down that I was going to take pictures and took this picture of the menu as what I intended would be the first of many. Oh well, this picture demonstrates that a) I spelled the name of the restaurant correctly above and b) I did not just grab this off their website since the lighting is so bad.
This restaurant came as a recommendation from Sean at Ramey and what a great recommendation it was. This place is basically just down the street from Single Thread. We ordered 10 different tapas meals and each dish was simply outstanding. The variety of tapas executed with such a high level of quality sets this place apart. Yum. I would eat here by myself every day and work my way through the numerous menu items if I could. Highly recommended.
Next Up: Ramey