Littorai Wine Makers Dinner
Tasted February 28, 2006 by jamiekutch with 1,066 views
Introduction
Last night I had an amazing experience joining both Glenn Alexander (Vineyard manager), Hugh Chappelle (Lynmar winemaker)
Greg Adams (Consulting viticulturist) and a few others at the Farmhouse in Forestville. Glenn had extended me an invitation on Saturday after looking at vineyard's with him and to say I had been looking forward to it for the last two days in an understatement. Last year Zagats had rated the Farmhouse the #1 restaurant in Sonoma and it was delicious.
The evening began with a nice glass of Littorai Chardonnay while everyone took there seats. There were 4 tables total so the event was very intimate. The Sommelier introduced both Heidi and Ted Lemon and they shared with us some of their experiences of making wine for the last 12 years in California. Ted's career began by studying Enology at the University de Bourgogne. He apprenticed at several famous estates in Burgundy: Domaines Dujac, De Villaine, Roumier, Parent and Bruno Clair. He was the first American ever hired as a winemaker and vineyard manager of a Burgundian estate, Domaine Guy Roulot in Meursault. His Littorai wines are some of the finest in California. They are all very feminine in style and food is their perfect match. After consuming all the below wines, I was hardly buzzed. They posses an amazing balance and seem to be aging effortlessly. Something to strive for.
Onto the wines:
Flight 1 - Aperitif (1 note)
Flight 2 - Diver Sea Scallop (1 note)
Green apple ragout, California Osetra caviar
White
2001 Littorai Chardonnay Charles Heintz Vineyard
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Again flamboyant with slightly less acidity than the 2003. Rich and layered with a fine balance. Interesting that all the Chard's were unfined and unfiltered yet extremely clean to the eye.
Flight 3 - Shellfish Minestrone (2 notes)
Sweet Maine shrimp, lobster stock, marrow fat beans, mirepoix of vegetables, lemon olive oil
White
1995 Littorai Chardonnay Mays Canyon
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
Showing less acid that the 94 and more mono-dimensional. This worked extremely well with the shellfish minestrone.
White
1994 Littorai Chardonnay Mays Canyon
USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley
The most golden in color with a slightly maderierized nose. Some notes of butterscotch and honey. This was actually my favorite wine of the night even being slightly oxidized. It had wonderful style and personality and flavors reminiscing to an aged Chablis.
Flight 4 - Lamb Rib Chop (2 notes)
Whole grain mustard spaetzler, braised Lacinato kale, pinot noir reduction
Red
2003 Littorai Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Lots of fruit, very fresh with ripe notes of fruit and a slight sweetness. This gave off plenty of cooking herbs as I have found in most Hirsh wines. Again with the food, this wine was hedonistic.
Red
2001 Littorai Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Medium bodied pinot with that lovely deep Savoy flavor profile I so desire. Cherry and red rose's fill the rim. The palate has expensive vanilla oak and a balanced lingering finish that you so don't want to end. Wonderful wine.
Flight 5 - Assortment of Artisan Cheeses (2 notes)
Gruyere - de Comte
L'Edel de Cleron
Epoisses
Red
1995 Littorai Pinot Noir One Acre
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Holy Toledo.. My date finally arrived and begins whispering in my ear... So flirtatious, charming, seductive, & sexy. Her outfit is perfect - completely integrated. I overheard someone quietly say the Goddess of Pinotness has arrived. She wore layers and caressed me. I found myself snuggling my glass. She required my full attention and that's what I gave. Pulling me into a daze. Her perfume spread across the room with only a trace of sweetness and such subtle layers of place. I may only dream of dating her again.
Red
1995 Littorai Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard
USA, California, North Coast, Anderson Valley
Having two women in the same room wanting your time, less was spend on this one. Very integrated flavors with a gentle hand and some earth and mushroom notes along with nice soft fruit.
Flight 6 - Petits-Fours and Coffee (1 note)
Red
1979 Hanzell Pinot Noir
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Valley
I smuggled this bottle in and had hopes to open it at the tail end of the tasting. It certainly didn't disappoint. While it may have not particularly tasted like pinot, this wine was still tasting young. Plenty of fruit still evident with a slight sweetness and traces of tannin still holding it all together. Minor notes of Eucalyptus and a good trailing finish. Very nice with one of the soft, salty cheese.
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