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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 93 pts. and median of 93 pts. in 24 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by wayne530 on 4/26/2024 & rated 93 points: Absolutely gorgeous bouquet of red fruits, wet stone minerality, violets, and warming spices. One moment, the floral notes pop. After a few minutes, the minerality. What a beautifully complex nose!
On the palate, elegant red fruits, tart cherry, hints of cranberry, forest floor, and hints of vanilla and spice. Really fine-grained, ultra smooth tannins, and a finish that goes on for ages. Stunning! (13 views) | | | Tasted by NoahCap on 4/19/2023: Oh MAAANN this is good. A little air opens this up wonderfully. Give it at least 30 mins in the decanter and you'll smell a wonderful bouquet of red fruits and complex savory spices and earth. In the mouth, lively acidity, fine tannins, a voluptuous roundness without unctuous viscosity: a characteristic that I sometimes get with high quality Pinot. As with all things Littorai, Burgundy sensibility with lovely restrained New World fruit. I've got one more bottle, gotta hang on to it for 5 more years if I can. This is fantastic stuff. (1013 views) | | | Tasted by twain on 3/18/2023 & rated 93 points: Seamless, ripe berries and structure. Long finish. (835 views) | | | Tasted by Harbthewineguy on 2/7/2023 & rated 94 points: A fabulous wine by Littorai. This wine has multiple layers leading with the cherry and blackberry fruits, moving into raspberry and spices and finishing with earthy minerals joining in on the back end. Excellent balance at about 13% ABV. (898 views) | | | Tasted by Jahull03 on 3/16/2022: Drinking awesomely right now, as are most of the 2017 Pinots I’ve had from Littorai (1315 views) | | | Tasted by malbrecht on 6/18/2021 & rated 92 points: Very expressive on the nose with cherries, herbs, and a floral character. Opens with cherries and blackberries, with a wet stone, floral, and forest herb finish. Lots of complexity here, and good balance between acid, alcohol, and oak. Very young and the primary fruit up front is still dominant. I suspect that patience will be rewarded for those that choose to wait 5+ years. (1457 views) | | | Tasted by awitz78 on 6/5/2021 & rated 93 points: Elegant and delicious (1198 views) | | | Tasted by J_H on 2/18/2021 & rated 94 points: - straight from the bottle
- Nose: medium intense, very precise aromas of barren rock, vanilla and caramel, white pepper, lots of red fruit of raspberries, strawberries as well as sweet spices like cinnamon and Christmas biscuits. Outstandingly precise and cool.
- Palate: medium alcohol and high acidity. Extremely direct! Medium (+) intense in the mouth and lots of red fruit and those stony flavours come out strongly again. Medium (+) on the finish. Dancing and precise - very nice Pinot Noir and compared to many Burgundies not such a fruity body!
- 94 points. Top. (1500 views) | | | Tasted by heidoanddave on 1/4/2021 & rated 94 points: Wonderful. See prior tasting note. (1439 views) | | | Tasted by beerenauslese on 10/10/2020 & rated 93 points: Tart dark red cherry aroma and flavor with moderate tannins. Half 750 poured into a 375 bottle was better next day, less tart and less tannic. Suggests it will benefit from a few years of aging. (1284 views) | | | Tasted by heidoanddave on 7/19/2020 & rated 94 points: Very happy we could get a case of this. Notes of red and dark fruits with a lovely finish. Has years to go. (1085 views) | | | Tasted by Alexander Smith on 6/28/2019 & rated 93 points: Notes of dark fruit on the nose along with floral aromatics along with wild herbs, lavender, on the palate I found crisp acidity with blackberry, earthy notes and a long rustic finish. (2595 views) |
| By James Suckling
JamesSuckling.com (1/18/2020)
(Littorai Pinot Noir Mendocino Anderson Valley Savoy Vineyard, Red, United States) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Seeing 20/20 – Sonoma & Anderson Valley Preview (Jan 2020) (1/1/2020)
(Littorai Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard North Coast Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Best New Releases from Sonoma and Beyond (May 2019) (5/1/2019)
(Littorai Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard North Coast Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Antonio Galloni
Vinous, Sonoma Preview: January 2019 New Releases (Jan 2019) (1/1/2019)
(Littorai Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard North Coast Red) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of JamesSuckling.com and Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| Littorai Producer WebsitePinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.Savoy VineyardThe meticulously farmed vineyard of Richard Savoy lies in one of the coolest regions of Anderson Valley just west of the town of Philo. The southwest-facing slopes are cooled by afternoon breezes and the effects of the coastal climate. We harvest seven clones from different sections of the vineyard to create the final blend, capturing the full range and quality of Savoy.
*Savoy vineyard was acquired by FEL (Cliff Lede) in 2011USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.California2021 vintage: "Unlike almost all other areas of the state, the Russian River Valley had higher than normal crops in 2021, which has made for a wine of greater generosity and fruit forwardness than some of its stablemates." - Morgan Twain-Peterson North CoastThe North Coast American Viticultural Area (AVA) in California, covering more than three million acres, includes Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino and Lake counties, and portions of Marin and Solano counties. (see The Wine Institute for more information)Anderson Valleyhttp://www.avwines.com/anderson-valley-appellation-map/
Anderson Valley stretches from Yorkville Highlands (located in a highland meadow straddling the upper Rancheria Creek and upper Dry Creek watersheds) through Boonville (located on Anderson Creek) and Philo (located on Indian Creek) to Navarro (located on Soda Creek). Rancheria, Anderson, Indian and Soda creeks are tributaries to the Navarro River, which flows north and west through the coastal range to the Pacific Ocean; Dry Creek flows south into the Russian River watershed in Sonoma County. The main stem of the Navarro River begins less than a mile south of Philo at the confluence of Anderson Creek and Rancheria Creek. The mouth of the Navarro is 10 miles (16 km) south of Mendocino, California. Encompassing 315 square miles (816 km²), the Navarro River watershed is the largest coastal basin in Mendocino County.
Such unique geography results in a wide diurnal range, with daily high and low temperatures occasionally diverging 40 or 50 degrees. This enables Pinot Noir growers to keep acid development in line with sugar and flavor formation through long, warm Indian summers. It also makes for superb Gewurztraminer and Riesling, giving rise to the valley’s annual Alsatian Varietals and Pinot Noir festivals.
The climate in the Anderson Valley appellation is tempered by cool marine air. Steep hills and mountains surround rolling to nearly level alluvial terraces. The dominant natural vegetation is a mixed forest of Coast Redwood, various native oak varieties, and Douglas-fir. Elevation ranges from sea level to 2,500 feet (760 m). The average annual precipitation ranges from 35 to 80 inches (900 to 2000 mm). The average annual temperature is about 53 °F (12 °C), and the average frost-free season ranges from 220 to 365 days. Towards the coast the summers are cool and moist with frequent fog, while the interior Anderson Valley proper features a warm to hot summer climate similar to nearby interior regions, with daytime highs occasionally in excess of 100 °F (38 °C).
Visitors to the Valley should come prepared for cool evenings and warm days. Locals dress in layers year round. |
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