Littorai is one of the most important producers of chardonnay and pinot noir in the United States. It is the brainchild of Ted Lemon and is dedicated to making wine from fruit sourced only from the western Sonoma and Mendocino Counties. The main focus is on making single-vineyard wines that express the individual characteristics of the site; however there are also two regional blends; one from Sonoma and one from Mendocino.
The estate was established in 1993 after Lemon returned to the US having learned his trade in Burgundy working for a range of producers including Dujac, de Villaine (DRC), Roumier, Bruno Clair and Parent before being appointed winemaker (the first American ever) at famous Meursault producer, Domaine Guy Roulot. Predictably then, his winemaking style takes its lead directly from Burgundy and follows a reasonably straight-forward and non-interventionist approach. All the pinots are cold soaked (vintage dictates for how long), they undergo indigenous yeast fermentation, some stems are included where possible and the wines are almost never racked. The single-vineyard wines see approximately 50% new oak and the regional blends about 30%.
As much as is possible organic and biodynamic principles are used in the vineyards and cellar practices also reflect this ethic.
96 Points James Suckling
Very attractive, complex, spice and sous bois-scented nose with bright red cherries and blueberries. There’s a very silky mid-palate that carries a smooth, fleshy and long array of layered red cherries and pastry-like sheets of tannins.
96 Points Jeb Dunnuck
From a site located in the northern part of the Sonoma Coast, the sensational 2016 Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard sports a medium ruby color as well as classic dried red fruits, forest floor, spice, and subtle marine/seaside notes. It’s medium-bodied, as elegant and classy as they come, and is going to evolve beautifully.
