Littorai, `The Haven Vineyard` Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2019
| Vintage | Product Code | Format | Closure | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | LI305B19 | 6 x 75 | Natural Cork | Sold Out |
| 2019 | LI305M19 | 6 x 150 | Natural Cork | Contact Us |
Producer
In 1992, Ted and Heidi Lemon travelled the length of the west coast of the United States looking for the best sites to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. They finally found their spot in the ‘true’ north coast of California, the littoral (coastal) zones of Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. At the time, this region was not known for premium viticulture. Still, Ted was convinced that the varied soils and moderate climate with cooling fog would provide the ideal environment to make elegant and site-specific expressions of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Ted and Heidi have an incredible winemaking pedigree between them. Heidi honed her craft in the esteemed cellars of Domaine Chandon, Robert Pecota Winery, Robert Long Vineyards and Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars. Meanwhile, Ted first studied winemaking at the University of Dijon in 1981, before carving out an impressive career in Burgundy. The estates he has worked for include Domaine Roulot, Domaine Georges Roumier, Domaine de Villaine and Domaine Dujac. When this duo decided to turn their attention jointly to California, it was inevitable that the results would be spectacular.
Today, the majority of the Littorai sites are farmed biodynamically, though the estate does not use certification systems. Having studied the works of Rudolf Steiner, who believed in individual responsibility, Ted finds it hard to reconcile the fact that becoming certified would involve conceding some of his responsibility to external auditors, who cannot know and understand the sites as he does. Their wines are made with minimal intervention to allow the site to shine through in the wines. In Ted’s own words, “there is little place for winemaking in our style of production.”
The single vineyard Chardonnays represent 15% of Littorai’s total production. Only the free-run juice is used, which then undergoes indigenous yeast fermentation and 12 months ageing in French oak barrels (20% new). These wines are rich and precise with mouth-watering acidity. The regional blend Pinot Noirs are produced from declassified single vineyard lots. The Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir displays complex floral and spiced notes and firm tannins. Meanwhile, the ‘Les Larmes’ is supple with fine-grained tannins and bright acidity to temper its juicy fruit core.
The single vineyard Pinot Noirs incorporate 25-40% whole bunch, depending on the site and vine age, and are matured for 15 months in French oak barrels (20-25% new). Planted in 2010, ‘Wendling Vineyard Block E’ is Littorai’s youngest site. Its steep, south-facing slope is protected, making the wine aromatically expressive. Planted at 150 metres above sea level, on a south-facing slope, the ‘Pivot’ vineyard surrounds the winery, and the resulting wine expresses this site’s trademark elegance and purity. The ‘Hirsch’ vineyard has aromatic complexity with layered notes of rose, orange zest and forest floor, countered by precise acidity. The 'Haven' vineyard is Littorai’s original estate vineyard, and Ted considers it one of his Grand Crus. Its diverse greenstone, sandstone and shale soils result in a poised wine with intense spice aromatics, vibrant acidity and finely structured tannins. ‘One Acre’ is Littorai’s highest-elevation vineyard at 488 metres above sea level. There is a richness on the palate with mouth-coating tannins balanced by taut acidity. The inaugural 2022 vintage of the 'Richardson Ranch' is the newest addition to the range, from a site planted in 2012. This is a charming, delicate Pinot Noir with bright red fruits and a savoury backbone.
Vineyards
The Haven is Littorai's original estate vineyard and where they first started farming biodynamically. Ted considers this one of his Grand Cru vineyards. Planted in 2001, the site is a microcosm of the diversity of soils within the Sonoma Coast, containing greenstone, sandstone and shale. At 366 metres above sea level and located between Occidental and the Pacific Ocean, this is a late ripening, cool site.
Vintage
The crop in 2019 was moderately large and required some crop load reduction. Malic acid numbers were much lower in 2019 compared to the high malics of 2018. Final alcohols on the wines were slightly less than in 2018, with only a single bottled wine over 13%. While ethanol levels may not matter to some, Littorai's ambition is to produce complex, physiologically ripe wines at modest alcohol levels as this has health benefits and creates wines which are more suitable as accompaniment to fine foods. While the 2018 wines are structured and demand patience in the cellar, the 2019s are more floral, perfumed and delicate. This is not to say that they lack concentration or will not age and improve as much in the cellar as the 2018s. They are simply a different expression of Pinot Noir and are less tannic than the 2018s at a similar age
Vinification
The fruit was hand harvested at night, so the grapes arrived cool before being destemmed and put into fermenters with 43% kept whole bunch. The fermenters naturally rose in temperature to begin fermentation using indigenous yeasts. The wines were pressed once dry and transferred to French oak barrels (25% new). The wine remained in barrel for 16 months on its malolactic and primary lees prior to bottling, with no fining or filtration.
Tasting Notes & Technical Details
Aromas of rhubarb, pomegranate, cherry and alpine strawberry. There are also notes of fruit compote, violets and forest fllorThis wine is beautifully balanced between elegant, silky tannins and slow building acidity which carries it into a very long finish.
Alcohol (ABV)
12.5%
Acidity
5.4 g/l
Residual Sugar
0.1 g/l
pH
3.56