Littorai Les Larmes Pinot Noir Anderson Valley 2020

Description

Husband and wife team Ted and Heidi Lemon are behind this family-run winery, established in 1993. Ted began his career in Burgundy and has worked for some of the region's top estates including Domaine Guy Roulot in Meursault where he was winemaker and vineyard manager, the first American to ever hold such a position in Burgundy! Heidi has similarly worked for some of California's top producers including Robert Long Vineyards and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. Ted and Heidi's mission with Littorai was to find the best spot to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay along the littoral (coastal) zones of the U.S.A. They searched the west coast before finally finding their top spot in the 'true' north of California - the coastal mountains of Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. All the vineyards have been farmed biodynamically since 2001 and there is minimal intervention in the winemaking.

All grapes were harvested by hand and fermentation took place with native yeasts. The wine was then aged for 10 months in French Oak, 15% of which was new.

The nose is defined by fresh red fruit and floral notes. There are also aromas of cinnamon, violets, graphite and an underlying earthiness. The palate is silky and seductive with gentle tannins. An understated, elegant wine.

Exciting, bold and lively with a smooth texture already and certainly not aggressively youthful, although it will doubtless develop further. Much fresher than some California Pinot Noirs. 17.5. Jancisrobinson.com