Littorai
About Littorai
The husband and wife team of Ted and Heidi Lemon, behind Sonoma County based winery Littorai, are a truly unique pairing. Their low-intervention, cool-climate Pinot wines have become some of the most sought-after in all of California.
Ted started his career in Burgundy, working at some of the region's top estates. When he was made winemaker and vineyard manager of Domaine Guy Roulot in Meursault, he was first American ever to hold such a position in Burgundy. Heidi has also worked for some of the world's top producers on the other-side of the Atlantic, namely California's Robert Long Vineyards and Stag's Leap Wine Cellars. Their experiences create a perfect blend of New and Old World winemaking.
Establishing their family-run winery in 1993, their mission with Littorai was to find the best spot to grow Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with minimal intervention winemaking along the coastal zones of the US. They searched the West Coast before finally finding their top spot in the 'true' north of California - the coastal mountains of Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
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(12x75cl) 2016Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)
The 2016 Pinot Noir Cerise Vineyard is elegant and silky in the glass. Crushed red berry fruit, spice, mint, blood orange and kirsch dance across the palate. Exotic spice notes emerge with a bit of time in the glass. Beguiling and expressive, the 2016 remains quite young. It's a wine that needed a ton of time to show its true potential. Yorkville series soils over sandstone, unusual for Anderson Valley, yield such distinctive wines, especially in the tannin profile. Superb.$1,475.00 -
Jeb Dunnuck (97)
A medium ruby, the 2021 Pinot Noir Cerise Vineyard is very pretty and lifted aromatically with wild herbs, pomegranate, and tea leaf. On the palate, it’s fresh and bright, with a vibrant fresh citrus note of orange zest, as well as dusty earth. It has an angular tannin structure with linear drive and fresh acidity with mouthwatering salinity. Drink 2025-2040.$665.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (96)
The 2016 Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard is fabulous. Elegant and polished with stunning vertical structure, the 2016 shows why this site in Fort Ross-Seaview is so revered. Crushed flowers, mint and chalk weave through a core of nuanced Pinot fruit. The Hirsch is another wine that needed time to fully blossom. Perched at 1,200-1,400 feet in elevation, most of Hirsch sits just above the fog line, which contributes to its unique microclimate. Superb.$1,645.00 -
(12x75cl) 2017
Vinous (89)
Just as it was from barrel, the 2017 Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard shows the effects of heat spikes that were especially challenging at this estate. Dried fruit, roasted notes, washed out flavors and mid-weight structure are impossible to escape. I had hoped élevage might help the Hirsch come together, but that never really happened. I would prefer to drink the 2017 on the early side.$1,600.00 -
James Suckling (96)
Appealing aromas of ripe red and black fruit, dried flowers and black peppercorns. Medium-bodied with fine, taught tannins. Rather fresh acidity with juicy red cherries and plums. Thyme and paprika spice add complexity. Succulent and supple. Drink or hold.$2,045.00 -
Wine Advocate (96)
The 2019 Pinot Noir Hirsch Vineyard comes from vines located just one ridge in from the Pacific Ocean and planted in 1995 at 1,200 to 1,500 feet in elevation, Medium ruby in color, it's scented of blood orange, cranberry and rhubarb, with nuances of turned earth, conifer, seaweed and mushrooms. The palate is medium-bodied with an abundance of silty tannins, appealing bursts of acidity, nuanced yet concentrated fruits and a long finish. It deserves at least another 2-3 years in bottle. 318 cases were made.$1,665.00 -
(12x75cl) 2018$869.00 -
(1x75cl) 2020Jancis Robinson (17.5+)
Exciting, bold and lively with a smooth texture already and certainly not aggressively youthful, although it will doubtless develop further. Much fresher than some California Pinot Noirs.$127.00 -
James Suckling (96)
A lush and aromatic nose of rose petals, violets, black cherries, baking spice and bark. Medium-bodied with dark fruit wrapping around the tight tannins. A lovely, savory palate with spice and dried flowers. Layered and exceptionally juicy. Totally delicious. Drink or hold.$1,920.00 -
James Suckling (97)
Dried-floral nose, accented by notes of black cherries and a hint of lime leaf. Medium-bodied with tight tannins. Lots of freshness and brightness on the palate. There is depth and complexity, but it’s all in harmony. Paprika and allspice come through. Such a delightful wine, bridging intensity with freshness. Drink or hold.$855.00 -
(12x75cl) 2020Vinous (91)
The 2020 Pinot Noir One Acre is fascinating to taste next to The Return, as it emerges from a different section of the vineyard, a crown with east and west-facing exposures. Dried cherry, crushed flowers, herbs, iron and cedar infuse this earthy, gamy Pinot Noir with quite a bit of character. A hint of sweet pipe tobacco lingers on the close, I would give this a bit of time in bottle to soften, as the tannins are a touch rough today.$1,890.00 -
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James Suckling (99)
A mix of juicy red and black berries and earthy, woody spice on the nose. Medium-bodied with such depth, balance and precision. Succulent black fruit and ripe red berries are carried by fine tannins, along with fresh mint, pine and dried roses. Fine-tuned precision and refinement. Phenomenal wine. Drink or hold.$1,790.00 -
(12x75cl) 2017Vinous (94)
The 2017 Pinot Noir The Pivot Estate Vineyard is one of the more elegant, perfumed wines in this range. Crushed flowers, sweet red berry, mint and rose petals give the 2017 a good bit of aromatic freshness to match is lifted, mid-weight personality. This is an especially layered, nuanced Pinot.$1,265.00 -
James Suckling (97)
A beautiful red and black-fruited nose with fresh and dried flowers, paprika and a delightful hint of nutmeg. Medium-bodied with so much tension and power. The elegant fruit wraps around the structured tannins, accented by subtle spice and sap. This wine leaves you feeling excited. Drink or hold.$1,760.00 -
(6x75cl) 2019Vinous (96+)
The 2019 Pinot Noir Wendling Vineyard Block E marries fruit intensity and structure with stunning balance. On the palate, the Wendling is huge, and yet the tannins perfectly wrap everything together. Black cherry, licorice, spice and tobacco bring out darker shades of Pinot expression. The 2019 is an especially virile Wendling. It will be interesting to see if time softens some of that brooding intensity.$569.00 -
Vinous (92)
The 2020 Pinot Noir Wendling Vineyard Block E is a quiet wine in 2020, but that is the vintage. The unique fruit and flavor profile of this site is present, but in a decidedly attenuated style. Red berry fruit, blood orange, rose petal, mint and sweet spice build into the soft, caressing finish.$1,685.00 -
Vinous - Antonio Galloni (97)
The 2022 Pinot Noir Wendling Vineyard Block E is crazy, wild and captivating. All the elements are so well balanced. Soaring aromatics meld into red/purplish fruit, blood orange, cinnamon, mint and dried flowers. Deep and layered yet light on its feet, the 2022 is a magical, sensual wine that captures all the hedonistic and intellectual senses. More importantly, the Wendling shows what is possible in Anderson Valley.$755.00
