2007 Littorai Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard

The 2007 Pinot Noir Savoy Vineyard is a blend of the newer Dijon clones and the older California selections from Swan and Pommard. This sexy, light ruby-hued, medium-bodied Pinot offers fresh boysenberry, cherry and pomegranate notes. It is reminiscent of a riper, richer version of a French premier cru from the Cote de Beaune. Enjoy it over the next 5-6 years. Winemaker/proprietor Ted Lemon has one of the most impressive resumes in California having produced Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs in that state as well as previously working in Burgundy. His wines consistently represent the best of California’s ripeness combined with Burgundy’s finesse and elegance. His Chardonnay vineyards are all planted in cool micro-climates and his wines are all beautifully made, crisp, elegant, flavorful whites. Moreover, in 2008, Lemon had serious frost issues with nearly one-third of his crop wiped out at Thieriot. Even more extensive damage occurred at the Haven Vineyard. The cool 2009 growing season certainly favored all the Burgundian varietals which was evidenced by what Ted Lemon has achieved with his stylish, elegant 2009 Pinot Noirs. Tel. (707) 823-9586; Fax (707) 823-9589

Medium red, a bit pale at the rim. Less expressive on the nose than the Hirsch, offering notes of blueberry, raspberry and flowers. Supple in texture but a bit youthfully subdued, currently showing limited lift and nuance. The dark fruit flavors are framed by sound acidity, though. Lemon noted that this wine was picked later; the Hirsch and Mays Canyon came in before the "pause." I suspect this is better than it�s showing today.