- 2019 Domaine de la Côte Pinot Noir DDLC Estate - USA, California, Central Coast, Sta. Rita Hills (6/12/2024)
Two years in the cellar, and I bet two more would be better, this is just starting to develop into a very interesting wine, but only after a few hours of air. On opening it was nice, but in a “this is a nice bottle of Pinot Noir” way. Two hours later it’s beguiling, possibly more complex than any other new world Pinot I have ever experienced, especially on the nose. It’s hard to describe the aromatics beyond “complex” as they are wholly integrated. Even on the palate it’s hard to pick out elements (though I might prefer a little more tannin rather than a wine completely built on its acidity), and it’s so cohesive I don’t want to try.
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Thanks for the note. If I recall correctly this is their “entry” or “base” pinot correct?
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I think so.
Awesome notes - and happy to hear about developing over time rather than just pop and pour. Appreciated . . .
Is this earthy or more fruity/primary?
Initially quite fruity, but air brought out a ton of earthy complexity that just floored me.
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Thanks. I’ve heard good things about Domaine de la Cote, but still need to check it out for myself.
They make very nice wine and there’s a lot of thought and passion behind it.
Definitely worth investigating.
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Same here–they seem like they are meant to age for a long time and are priced as such.
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Yes, this is their entry level wine.
Be curious to try a $130 entry level Pinot. Wish we had that sort of gumption and pizzazz.
Is that the price of his entry level wine? Yowsa . . .
The estate entry level is definitely not $130.
More like $65 if I recall.
Anyways, I thought the entire 2019 range was a bit off and strange. Glad more time in cellar did good for it.
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DdlC wines definitely aren’t cheap. We did an event vs Burg and I wasn’t in a rush to go buy them at the prices demanded.
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Not on their website. Was listed at $129.99 one place $125 another and $149.99 another. Ballparked it.
New release wines or wines with age and/or lots of air? I wasn’t so impressed with these when they first came out (much like my only prior experience with DdlC several years prior), but wow did some time/air transform this wine.
I hosted the DDLC and Burgs event last year. I was able to buy the wine directly from DDLC by contacting Raj Parr. According to my invoice, these were the prices I paid per bottle.
2020 DDLC Pinot: $50
2014 Sirens Call: $180
2015 Memorious: $125
2013 Blooms field: $145
2018 La Cote: $90
I have been buying from them for a while and I do think I got a discount on some of these wines, but im not 100% certain.
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Got it. Seems like some serious gouging happening in the wider world.
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The Blooms field cuvee was featured in the Somm 3 documentary. I think after the success of that doc, the prices went up for DDLC. So that could be why you’re seeing some gouging. I definitely wouldn’t pay $120+ for the base DDLC pinot. Its a great wine, but not worth 120.