WTN: Taking things Littorai-ly

[Jenise]

2004 Littorai Pinot Noir, Savoy Vineyard, Anderson Valley
Finally lost my Littorai virginity with this lovely pinot. A really beautiful blend of sweet cherry and red berry fruits with a hints of spice and dried thyme. Not reticent, not forceful, just totally THERE and charming the second the bottle was opened, with an uncommonly silky mouthfeel. This wine made me happy happy happy. 14.2% alcohol but we didn't find it noticeable, let alone intrusive. $63 restaurant price.

Haven't had this bottling, but I love the Littorai style....

[Jenise]

The restaurant I was at offered this and a Hirsch vineyard. If I'd had your cell phone number on me, I'd have surely called you and asked which one to order!

thanks for notes. Consistently excellent producer.

First of all, that is an exceptional price for that bottling in a restaurant.

I tasted two wines from this producer in CA; the Sonoma Coast and the Mays Canyon. Both were atypical to the CA style and were supple and long. The Sonoma Coast was memorable.
Honestly, I didn't think anybody on the leftcoast made this style of pinot. Nice to be wrong.
Best, Jim

[Jenise]

First of all, that is an exceptional price for that bottling in a restaurant.

This restaurant is also a retail wine operation. You get to wander among the bottles and choose what to have with dinner, then they charge you that price plus $5 corkage. Even though one can spend as little as $10 or $11 on some little Languedoc, knowing what I'd get for my $50 in any other restaurant I usually go upmarket and choose something I've been wanting to try.

But yes, very atypical and special wines. It's nice to finally know what the fuss is all about.

Jim... I have only been drinking Littorai for a couple of vintages now, but even the entry level Les Larmes shows the elegance that Jenise found in the Savoy.

I think that Williams Selyem produces a similar style of Pinot. They tend to be lower in alcohol, have cleaner fruit due to great acidity, and be very balanced. Dehlinger is a bit bigger, but is in that vein too, I think. Some older Arcadian Pinots can also be quite stunning, not the big fruit, high octane wines that many Pinots have become.

I think that Williams Selyem produces a similar style of Pinot. They tend to be lower in alcohol, have cleaner fruit due to great acidity, and be very balanced. Dehlinger is a bit bigger, but is in that vein too, I think. Some older Arcadian Pinots can also be quite stunning, not the big fruit, high octane wines that many Pinots have become.

Jim,
It has been several years since I paid much attention to WS or Dehlinger - the last time I had them I vowed it would be the last time. If things have changed since about five years ago, maybe I will search for a taste. If they are consistent with the wines of that time period, they were not at all my preference.
'Never had an Arcadian (that I recall). 'Have to remedy that.
Best, Jim

Can't speak to your palate, F. Jim, but they are not burgundy by any means. They have plenty of fruit, but they are not in the Central Coast/Siduri/Loring style of higher alc. and big ripe fruit. So, if you lean toward Burgundy, even those the W-S and Littorai share more afinity than most CA Pinot, they are still New World.

So, if you lean toward Burgundy, even those the W-S and Littorai share more afinity than most CA Pinot, they are still New World.

Agreed.
What amazes me is that I lean so much toward Burgundy and still like some of the new world stuff. No explaining it . . .
Best, Jim

Well made wine is well made wine regardless of where it comes from????

Thanks for the note. Awesome. I recently had the 1995 Littorai (the first Littorai Savoy) and it was fantastic.

$63 restaurant price.

Wow! Great price at a restaurant or retail.

Jason

I think that Williams Selyem produces a similar style of Pinot.

Pre 1999 are a considerable step up.

J