1998 Littorai Pinot Noir One Acre Vineyard
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Tasting notes
One of the truly great wines in the flight and one of the greatest I have tasted from Littorai, the 1998 Pinot Noir One Acre is a bright red color and is savory with layered notes of quinine, preserved cranberries, porcini, and attractive floral cologne. The palate is vibrant and refreshing and retains bright ripe fruit, with fantastic energy. It lasts long on the palate, with resolved tannins and a long linear finish. It’s singing today, with incredible vibrancy and freshness, and it should easily continue to drink well for another decade or more if bottles have been stored in prime conditions. The 2023 vintage marks the 30-year milestone for the Littorai family estate, and this tasting covers 21 wines from 1993 through 2023. Except for the 1993 Pinot Noir One Acre, all of the wines for this retrospective were tasted at the end of May in New York at Union Square Cafe. Readers can find the complete range of current releases in my regional report on Sonoma.
Critic scores
Robert Parker
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Readers looking for jammy cherry/strawberry notes infused with fresh damp earth-like smells should check out the 1998 Pinot Noir One Acre Vineyard. Exhibiting plenty of tannin, it requires a year of bottle age, and should evolve nicely for 5-7 years. (release date Fall 2000) Most of Littorai's production is sold via a mailing list. Tel. (707) 963-4762; Fax (707) 963-7332
Medium red, with a hint of development. Complex aromas of strawberry, raspberry, lavender, sweet herbs, loam, tobacco and subtle oak spices. Nicely concentrated, fresh flavors of red berries and spices. Finishes with brisk acidity, dusty tannins and very good length.
About the producer
Littorai stands as one of California’s most quietly influential estates, defined by organic and biodynamic farming, site transparency, and a restrained, Burgundian sensibility.