2012 Littorai Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast- USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast (3/28/2014)
Ted Lemon’s background working in Burgundy really shows in this wine. While this wouldn’t be mistaken for a Burg, the lightness and delicacy while retaining impactfulness shows pinot noir in a glorious incarnation; it has a palate weight feel more common in burgundy than in California. The mouthfeel is silky and light, like a good village Volnay. The fruit is recognizably Sonoma Coast, leans toward red cherries and cranberry, and shows a pleasing bit of sappiness. A touch of oak lends a creaminess. Surprisingly approachable for such a young wine, this is not a long ager but is exactly what an appellation pinot should be - early drinking but a great rendition of pinot noir in a light style. (92 pts.)
Sounds great. I’ve been looking forward to trying Ted’s 2012s. I always try to correlate what I taste from him to the vintages. I’ve often liked his wines best in cooler vintages (2011, 2005, 1999) and less so in warmer years (2004). 2012 was in the middle and so I figured he’d knock it out of the ballpark.
I was very pleased by this wine. For budgetary reasons I’m shifting mostly away from SVDs in favor of appellation wines but I will be content if this is the level of the Littorai lower bottlings.
Adam, how did your 2012s turn out? Among your many bottlings, what would you recommend for people who like wines like this one?
It’s funny, I’m the opposite - due to the increase in the cost of Littorai’s appellation bottlings (I think they went up to $46 with the latest vintage), I stopped buying them in favor of the single vineyards.
I’ve had the 2007 Sonoma Coast and Les Larmes in the past couple of months that have led me to regret that decision. I’ve had a lot of success with 5-6 years on these wines. Probably my favorite Californian Pinot producer, and the appellation wines really do justify their price point above many others.
My wife and I just returned from a week on the Sonoma Coast and Napa. Easily in the top 3 highlights was a visit to Littoria. We were greeted by Ted as we stepped out of our car and we had a great conversation before getting a tour and doing a tasting. As we have 2 kids in college, we have been reducing the number of lists we are on and I was determined to minimize the damage done on this trip. We left Littoria having bought a case and having signed up for the regular club shipments (most purchased at one place in a week). A good bit of the case we bought was the Sonoma Coast Pinot. Also thoroughly enjoyed the Savoy and got to taste some earlier vintages…Will post more notes later, very enjoyable stuff.
Apologies…I missed this post. I very much like the 2012s. I am reluctant to call them “the best ever” in that I think such a declaration is only born out over time (its easy, on the other hand, to recognize a shitty vintage early).
I do like our Sonoma Coast Pinot quite a bit and also our 2012 Hirsch. I also think our 2011 Sonatera is probably my favorite wine to drink now. the 2012 may be better, but the 2011 is really firing on all cylinders now.
I brought home some bottles of this from my December trip and my biggest fear was that the amazing bouquet this wine produces that I inhaled at the winery would not translate once I got back home (or it would only do so if I decanted for hours). At the tasting, I think we all had our noses in the glass a full minute before even wanting to taste the wine. A few weeks ago, I opened one up with a friend and with only pouring it through an aerator, it was as if I was transported back to the winery. A really beautiful wine.
Thanks also to Clayton, John, Jeff and Alicia for the additional notes. I have splurged on the Savoy and Cerise pinots before too, but I’m glad to know that the appellation bottlings of Littorai (along with Copain Tous and Voisins, Rhys SCM and San Mateo, Kutch AV, Ceritas Costalina, Cameron Dundee Hills, which I would recommend to you all if you don’t have them already) will keep me drinking well at slightly lower price points.
13.3% alcohol. Medium-light burgundy in color. Expressive, mostly red fruit aromas. On the palate, raspberry, red cherry with a nice spice element. Good acidic backbone, medium depth, lingering aftertaste. Still primary and will benefit with more time in the cellar. A very pretty wine.