Littorai tasting @ Vino

We attended the Littorai tasting at Vino this past week (like we did last year) mainly because we were on vacation but also because I consider vintner Ted Lemon one of the top winemakers in the Golden State. His Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from the "true" Sonoma Coast express the terroir of the rugged coastline and he creates wines with finesse and restraint. Chardonnays that aren't overly ripe, alcoholic or oaked and Pinot Noirs that aren't alcoholic fruit bombs. The way these Burgundian varietals were meant to be vinified.

The evening's menu and wine pairings looked like this:

Reception and Amuse Bouche

2013 Thieriot Vineyard Chardonnay 

Crispy Shrimp

with fennel and garlic-clam jus

2012 Charles Heintz Vineyard Chardonnay

Braised Shinsato Pork

with butter bean and ham hock stew

2013 Savoy Vineyard Pinot Noir

2013 The Pivot Vineyard Pinot Noir

Shredded Organic Chicken Pizza

with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, Mary's organic chicken

and bay leaf chimichurri

2012 Roman Vineyard Pinot Noir

At this point, I also uncorked a bottle of 1998 Williams Selyem Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir and despite 1998 being an off vintage, it was still drinking beautifully with a touch of funk on the nose then ripe fruit and an almost seamless palate flow. In fact it was drinking so nicely, two other diners asked Littorai National Sales Manager Rachel Dixon if it was available for purchase... (nope, it's not a Littorai wine)...

Vino Apple Tarte

As the tasting wound down, I also uncorked a 1990 Domaine Bachelet Pommard "Les Chanlins" which despite having that classic Burgundian funky nose, had a slightly thin mid palate and short finish...

Then to end the evening, Monsieur K ordered a round of Negroni for Rachel, moi and himself...

Though Littorai just started shipping to the 50th just last year, the shipping costs are a bit on the expensive end of the spectrum ($120 per six-pack). But you either have to live with those shipping costs... or try to find that occasional bottle at R. Fields or Tamura's Fine Wines. And we offered the 2013 Roman Vineyard which at just 100 cases is usually only offered to Littorai's longtime customers. So the T's continue to ante up those shipping costs...