Littorai Les Larmes Pinot Noir 2023

When it comes to Californian Pinot Noir and Chardonnay Littorai is a star. In fact I’ll go one further … it’s a legend. Littorai’s founder, owner and winemaker, Ted Lemon, has a winemaking pedigree that stretches from Central Otago, through Burgundy (a host of great domains including a stint as Head Winemaker and Vineyard Manager at Domaine Guy Roulot) to California’s Napa and Sonoma.

Littorai belongs to Ted and his wife Heidi: it’s a postcard for biodynamic practices and the notion of single-vineyard production. The Littorai range stretches across seven vineyards from Sonoma Coast and five from Anderson Valley; mostly producing Pinot Noirs, but including a small but very significant parcel of two Chardonnays. The wines aren’t attempting Burgundy: they are emphatically proud of their origins. But there is Burgundian philosophy in their DNA – textural, savoury, long-lived and wielding significant tannin.

"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." - 17.5+ Points / 20, Jancis Robinson

"A bright, fresh, racy version, showing pomegranate and blood orange fruit laced with a mouthwatering mineral edge, with light savory and sanguine hints adding range on the finish. Might be on the skinny side for some, but this is balanced and persistent. There's no rush either." - 93 Points, Wine Spectator