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 Vintage1999 Label 1 of 36 
TypeRed
ProducerLittorai (web)
VarietyPinot Noir
Designationn/a
VineyardSavoy Vineyard
CountryUSA
RegionCalifornia
SubRegionNorth Coast
AppellationAnderson Valley

Drinking Windows and Values
Drinking window: Drink between 2004 and 2011 (based on 140 user opinions)
Wine Market Journal quarterly auction price: See Littorai Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard on the Wine Market Journal.

Community Tasting History

Community Tasting Notes (average 89.3 pts. and median of 90 pts. in 11 notes) - hiding notes with no text

 Tasted by ajfret01 on 12/26/2018: Mature and complex. (632 views)
 Tasted by Nothung on 12/25/2018 & rated 92 points: Mature, perhaps a bit past its peak, but still drinking beautifully. (468 views)
 Tasted by PMJak11 on 12/16/2018 & rated 91 points: For not being a Pinot fan or drinker, this wasn’t bad, especially for a ‘99; but what do I know. Great nose of cherries and minerality. Wine was crisp with decent spice and a pleasurable texture. Medium finish. (497 views)
 Tasted by Nothung on 2/22/2017 & rated 90 points: Still drinking beautifully. (801 views)
 Tasted by docjer on 6/17/2014 & rated 87 points: - Ruby color - Bouquet developed gradually and was pleasant. Ok finish, eaten with salmon and was pleasant. (1558 views)
 Tasted by winotoo on 8/7/2011 & rated 90 points: Holding up well. A bit of barnyard funk mixes with spice on the nose but the funk does not carry through on the palate. Seems just a bit closed and didn't open up too terribly much over the course of 2 hours. Still, quite rich and nice. (1670 views)
 Tasted by WetRock on 12/13/2009: EWG Parties Like It's 1999 (Conrad Greens Abode): Served blind. Big nose of dark fruits and black cherry with some heat. Vibrant palate with ample sweet dark cherry fruits. (2623 views)
 Tasted by jasonh on 12/13/2009: 1999 Wines - Served Blind @ Conrads: Served blind. I considered this a real treat to try. Not sure it lived up to what I hoped. In some ways it still seemed tight but the balance was amiss. (2600 views)
 Tasted by peternelson on 12/13/2009 & rated 87 points: Conrad’s:; Rasp. jam,--really... haeavy, chewy, juicy, hot. Hmmm. very young and too big, and kinda strange syrah like (1394 views)
 Tasted by tanglenet on 12/20/2008: Opened for about 15 minutes but not decanted. Taken to the Wood Tavern for MBC's birthday. About a 1/4" of clarity at the edge of the glass. Strong nose of dark spice and citrus rind. On the palate: dark undulating layers of spice, citrus and notes of dry caramel. Ends with spicy citrus finish. For a short while, the heat was noticeable and then subsided. This is fully mature, but shows no sign of decline. Very Good. (1269 views)

Professional 'Channels'
By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, May/June 2001, IWC Issue #96
(Littorai Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard Anderson Valley) Subscribe to see review text.
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous. (manage subscription channels)

CellarTracker Wiki Articles (login to edit | view all articles)

Littorai

Producer Website

Pinot 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 Vineyard

The 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 2011

USA

American 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.

California

2021 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 Coast

The 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 Valley

http://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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