This one was a bit too "new world" for me. Massive fruit and bubble gum and a little hot on the finish. For those who like their pinot super fruity, they will like this. In perfect condition and drinking at prime with a few more years to go.
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Beautiful wine, coravined 3 weeks ago but popped today and drank over 1.5 hrs. Excellent integration of flavors. Spice on the nose, long finish. Excellent wine, thank goodness I have 2 more bottles
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Cork was perfect, but there was still some bricking in the glass and a little raisin on the nose. On the palate, this was a touch dilute, and the fruit has faded to reveal a bunch of earth and savory notes. Interesting, but I enjoyed it more a year ago with more fruit remaining
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Taken to Oak and Ola in Tampa for dinner. Wine was decanted immediately and served in Riedel Pinot glasses. It's shimmering ruby in color with plenty of dark red fruit and spice notes on the nose and with the first few sips. First impression is nice but perhaps wanting a bit more. There's some structure to the fine tannin and everything seems in place. As time passes more and more is revealed slowly and you start to take notice. At the one hour mark everything you were hoping for is there. Layer after layer of red fruit and spice are balanced with a bit of mineral notes and fine supporting tannin ease into the background. The final glass is outstanding both on its own and with the seared Salmon dish. You smile knowing it's one of those nights where everything was perfect.
If you open now decant and give this beauty the time to reveal itself. Saluti !
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Cork, almost soaked completely through. 12.6% alc. Decanted 2 hours. Herbal, red and dark fruits, freshly turned earth, rhubarb. Good interest here, on the medium weighted palate, with leathery tannins and a decent length.
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Pnp. Magenta translucent in the glass. Nose is wet earth, mushroom, cherry, and the palate is the same, with floral notes as well. Balanced, but treating, and delicious. Better be, at this price. I should add, I drink a fair bit of coastal Pinot, and something I really look for, which this lacked, is that sort of effervescent, herbal, eucalyptus kind of profile. So this “Sonoma coast” appellation is very large and encompasses a lot inland area. I would guess this was grown more in-land.
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PnP. Medium light red. Nose of red berries - strawberry, raspberry and blackberry.Rather light weight on the palate but very good balance which is a hallmark of Littorai Pinots though with a sneakily long finish. Less intense and deep than many vintages of Haven and ready to drink. Nice wine .
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Rich nose of earth, cherry, spices, mid-weight@+ palate with more dry dark cherry, earth, baking spices, with a medium/long finish. A fine west Sonoma Pinot with lovely balance.
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I want to like this wine. The nose is great. But it just falls flat. It’s thin, no secondary characteristics, and the finish just dies. At age 7, I expected more.
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Opened then waited 30 minutes or so before tasting. Medium red. Nose of red fruits and a blood orange/citrus note. On the palate this is rather light weight but with a lovely smooth texture. The finish is subtle and rather long but not intense. There is little tannin to resolve. Very nice wine though not with the complexity or intensity of bigger vintages of Littorai.
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PnP. Agree with the rhubarb nose and flavour, but somehow it works here. It's mixed in with creamy red berries, a touch of citrus peel and florals. Medium weighted, reasonably well balanced.
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I drank on two different occasions, one PnP and one with a pass through the Vinturi and an additional 60-90 minutes of air. It definitely benefits from the aeration. Thanks to previous notes (I'm not great at identifying flavors), I do get the rhubarb, strawberry and cranberry profile. Being a fan of black cherry Pinots, those aren't descriptors that would usually entice me. But it works beautifully here and the result is a very interesting and somewhat unexpected Pinot drinking experience. This is my first Littorai so am unfamiliar with their style but will definitely try again as this was a treat!
update 11/9: one vinturi pass and 2-3 hours of air and this just keeps improving. The longer it breathes the better it gets...upped score one point to 94.
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Popped and poured at lunch, so this young wine did not benefit from oxidation... aromatically muted, but palate very approachable. Red fruit strawberry-cherry core, mid-weight and very pure. Enjoyable drink.
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Leaner profile with medium high acidity that has a softness to it. Good pure red fruit expression and medium concentration. Very gentle tannins, with a mild finish. Pop and pour over two hours. Was relatively open from the start and didn't evolve much.
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Some blind 2013 Northern California Pinots to ring in the new year (Rich's, Chicago, IL): Nose: At first, the nose was a bit closed off and unyielding. With more air, it's true class emerged with raspberries, red cherries, strawberries, rose petals, and some creamy notes backing everything up. This had depth and class that was hard to deny with a higher-toned quality to it all.
Taste: Medium bodied with medium/high acidity and silky, yet defined tannins. The structure is certainly there, but there is also a regal quality to the feel along with raspberries, red cherries, rose petals, and creamy notes.
Overall: Once this was revisited after more air, it's real quality shone through for me. At first, I could feel that there was something special here, but it was just grumpy. It never felt like it got out of third gear, but it was opening up even more as we went along. This deserves a lot of time as it certainly seems like great rewards are there. As is right now, air is your friend and air will also be one's reward.
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New Year's Day 2013 Cali Pinot Blind Tasting: Served blind. Translucent ruby. Nose is ethereal -- aromatics are lighter but enchanting and complex with red fruits and florals. On the palate his has terrific poise and balance. Moderately concentrated fruit just hangs on and on. So lifted and persistent. Keeps evolving in the mouth with red and black cherry, cranberry, raspberry and lots of spice. Drinking very well and quite generous at a young age. 12.6 ABV.
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Blind 2013 California Pinots (Chicago, IL): Served blind. One of my winners this afternoon. Almost rose in colour, I joked, this was quite muted at first. Lovely red fruit here that is very well-balanced with the acids. The stems don't pop out too much here either. With a bit of air, this fleshed out very well and started to show more of its minerality as well. I'm betting there's good potential here.
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Peay Vineyards and Littorai new releases (Prince Wine Store - Bank Street): For me, the pick of the bunch this year is The Haven. A complex nose of forest floor, autumn leaves confectionary and bee's wax with a palette of rich and spicy plum, dark cherry and very well integrated minerals with tasty tannins.
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12/2/2023 - pjhr Likes this wine: 94 Points
Delicious red cherry, floral, and spice aromas and flavors with refreshing acidity and tannins on the long finish. Drinking beautifully!
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10/25/2023 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
As delicious as the last bottle!
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8/26/2023 - pjhr Likes this wine: 93 Points
Delicious red cherry, floral, and spice aromas and delicate flavors with refreshing acidity and tannins on the long finish.
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8/4/2023 - cortoncharlie wrote: 89 Points
This one was a bit too "new world" for me. Massive fruit and bubble gum and a little hot on the finish. For those who like their pinot super fruity, they will like this. In perfect condition and drinking at prime with a few more years to go.
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1/28/2023 - adaptation Likes this wine: 93 Points
Beautiful wine, coravined 3 weeks ago but popped today and drank over 1.5 hrs. Excellent integration of flavors. Spice on the nose, long finish. Excellent wine, thank goodness I have 2 more bottles
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12/31/2022 - cchoukal wrote:
Cork was perfect, but there was still some bricking in the glass and a little raisin on the nose. On the palate, this was a touch dilute, and the fruit has faded to reveal a bunch of earth and savory notes. Interesting, but I enjoyed it more a year ago with more fruit remaining
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10/30/2022 - fdaner wrote: 95 Points
Taken to Oak and Ola in Tampa for dinner. Wine was decanted immediately and served in Riedel Pinot glasses. It's shimmering ruby in color with plenty of dark red fruit and spice notes on the nose and with the first few sips. First impression is nice but perhaps wanting a bit more. There's some structure to the fine tannin and everything seems in place. As time passes more and more is revealed slowly and you start to take notice. At the one hour mark everything you were hoping for is there. Layer after layer of red fruit and spice are balanced with a bit of mineral notes and fine supporting tannin ease into the background. The final glass is outstanding both on its own and with the seared Salmon dish. You smile knowing it's one of those nights where everything was perfect.
If you open now decant and give this beauty the time to reveal itself. Saluti !
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10/8/2022 - glou.sf Likes this wine:
No formal notes. This had a classic Littorai / CA Pinot nose and taste. Very good, but not really exciting.
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4/24/2022 - fizz wrote:
Cork, almost soaked completely through. 12.6% alc.
Decanted 2 hours.
Herbal, red and dark fruits, freshly turned earth, rhubarb. Good interest here, on the medium weighted palate, with leathery tannins and a decent length.
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1/2/2022 - R.H. Likes this wine:
Nice time to drink the 2013s
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12/5/2021 - cchoukal wrote:
Pnp. Magenta translucent in the glass. Nose is wet earth, mushroom, cherry, and the palate is the same, with floral notes as well. Balanced, but treating, and delicious. Better be, at this price. I should add, I drink a fair bit of coastal Pinot, and something I really look for, which this lacked, is that sort of effervescent, herbal, eucalyptus kind of profile. So this “Sonoma coast” appellation is very large and encompasses a lot inland area. I would guess this was grown more in-land.
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11/22/2021 - Sfo_ryan Likes this wine: 93 Points
Really delightful - well structured / balanced. Drank out of the bottle after an hour open - wish I had aired it out further.
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5/20/2021 - MLwine Likes this wine: 93 Points
Well-balanced pinot that paired very nicely with some sea bass.
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1/3/2021 - rosenst1 wrote: 91 Points
PnP. Medium light red. Nose of red berries - strawberry, raspberry and blackberry.Rather light weight on the palate but very good balance which is a hallmark of Littorai Pinots though with a sneakily long finish. Less intense and deep than many vintages of Haven and ready to drink. Nice wine .
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9/11/2020 - Richard P Howden Likes this wine: 91 Points
Rich nose of earth, cherry, spices, mid-weight@+ palate with more dry dark cherry, earth, baking spices, with a medium/long finish. A fine west Sonoma Pinot with lovely balance.
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8/28/2020 - kosdogger wrote: 89 Points
I want to like this wine. The nose is great. But it just falls flat. It’s thin, no secondary characteristics, and the finish just dies. At age 7, I expected more.
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9/16/2019 - Weiner Likes this wine: 92 Points
Unique Pinot, raspberry, tart cherry, rhubarb, good with Salmon. Can drink now or wait.
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1/13/2019 - rosenst1 wrote: 91 Points
Opened then waited 30 minutes or so before tasting. Medium red. Nose of red fruits and a blood orange/citrus note. On the palate this is rather light weight but with a lovely smooth texture. The finish is subtle and rather long but not intense. There is little tannin to resolve. Very nice wine though not with the complexity or intensity of bigger vintages of Littorai.
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8/29/2018 - fizz wrote:
PnP. Agree with the rhubarb nose and flavour, but somehow it works here. It's mixed in with creamy red berries, a touch of citrus peel and florals. Medium weighted, reasonably well balanced.
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8/21/2018 - primeminister Likes this wine: 93 Points
Agree with jhieb.
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11/7/2017 - ozziewine Likes this wine: 94 Points
I drank on two different occasions, one PnP and one with a pass through the Vinturi and an additional 60-90 minutes of air. It definitely benefits from the aeration.
Thanks to previous notes (I'm not great at identifying flavors), I do get the rhubarb, strawberry and cranberry profile. Being a fan of black cherry Pinots, those aren't descriptors that would usually entice me.
But it works beautifully here and the result is a very interesting and somewhat unexpected Pinot drinking experience. This is my first Littorai so am unfamiliar with their style but will definitely try again as this was a treat!
update 11/9: one vinturi pass and 2-3 hours of air and this just keeps improving. The longer it breathes the better it gets...upped score one point to 94.
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7/18/2017 - Weiner Likes this wine: 92 Points
Unique Pinot style, very good. Light raspberry, rhubarb
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8/26/2016 - fcxj wrote: 90 Points
Popped and poured at lunch, so this young wine did not benefit from oxidation... aromatically muted, but palate very approachable. Red fruit strawberry-cherry core, mid-weight and very pure. Enjoyable drink.
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4/22/2016 - Robert Pavlovich wrote:
Leaner profile with medium high acidity that has a softness to it. Good pure red fruit expression and medium concentration. Very gentle tannins, with a mild finish. Pop and pour over two hours. Was relatively open from the start and didn't evolve much.
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4/9/2016 - Amerique wrote: 93 Points
Elegant, restrained strawberry fruit, excellent structure, ample acidity, some tannin, slightly short finish, needs time to emerge
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1/1/2016 - KeithAkers wrote: 93 Points
Some blind 2013 Northern California Pinots to ring in the new year (Rich's, Chicago, IL): Nose: At first, the nose was a bit closed off and unyielding. With more air, it's true class emerged with raspberries, red cherries, strawberries, rose petals, and some creamy notes backing everything up. This had depth and class that was hard to deny with a higher-toned quality to it all.
Taste: Medium bodied with medium/high acidity and silky, yet defined tannins. The structure is certainly there, but there is also a regal quality to the feel along with raspberries, red cherries, rose petals, and creamy notes.
Overall: Once this was revisited after more air, it's real quality shone through for me. At first, I could feel that there was something special here, but it was just grumpy. It never felt like it got out of third gear, but it was opening up even more as we went along. This deserves a lot of time as it certainly seems like great rewards are there. As is right now, air is your friend and air will also be one's reward.
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1/1/2016 - Nanda Likes this wine: 94 Points
New Year's Day 2013 Cali Pinot Blind Tasting: Served blind. Translucent ruby. Nose is ethereal -- aromatics are lighter but enchanting and complex with red fruits and florals. On the palate his has terrific poise and balance. Moderately concentrated fruit just hangs on and on. So lifted and persistent. Keeps evolving in the mouth with red and black cherry, cranberry, raspberry and lots of spice. Drinking very well and quite generous at a young age. 12.6 ABV.
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1/1/2016 - acyso wrote: 93 Points
Blind 2013 California Pinots (Chicago, IL): Served blind. One of my winners this afternoon. Almost rose in colour, I joked, this was quite muted at first. Lovely red fruit here that is very well-balanced with the acids. The stems don't pop out too much here either. With a bit of air, this fleshed out very well and started to show more of its minerality as well. I'm betting there's good potential here.
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11/21/2015 - AlexGarner Likes this wine: 97 Points
Peay Vineyards and Littorai new releases (Prince Wine Store - Bank Street): For me, the pick of the bunch this year is The Haven. A complex nose of forest floor, autumn leaves confectionary and bee's wax with a palette of rich and spicy plum, dark cherry and very well integrated minerals with tasty tannins.
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10/31/2015 - Avmister Likes this wine: 97 Points
smooth, even, fluid, showy even/level keeps going. 5+ years
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