2012 Pivot Pinot Noir
Estimated value
Buying options
Tasting notes
From Sebastopol Hills, and cooler because right on the edge of the Petaluma Gap. Planted with Pinot clones Swan Calera 114, 667, 777, and David Bruce! Their own easternmost vineyard, planted in 2003 or 2004. Some whole-bunch selection (10–30%). Pale ruby. Polished and smooth but earthy on the nose. Slight but not unpleasant hint of old socks! The sort of true Pinot flavour you rarely encounter in California. Far from obviously hot. Round with boiled sweet aromas. Lifted and fresher than the 2009. (JR)
Critic scores
Jancis Robinson MW
Jancis Robinson MW
More reviews and scores
With nice subtlety, and lots of length, the 2012 Pivot Vineyard offers an earthier presentation, darker fruit character, and more flavour concentration than the Platt Pinot. There is a lot of depth here showing notes of lavender and herbs, wild brush vegetation, and the dark-fruit earthiness mentioned all washed through deft structure and mouthwatering acidity. (ECB)
The 2012 Pinot Noir The Pivot Estate Vineyard is pliant and expressive, but also has enough structure to age well for a number of years. There is wonderful depth and density to the fruit, yet the flavors are quite primary, which suggests the 2012 needs time in bottle to develop its full range of aromatics. The future looks very bright. Readers lucky enough to own the Estate Pinot should be thrilled.
Mid crimson. Mildly earthy nose with lift. Real precision. Racy. But not excessive acidity. Very juicy and complete. Serious stuff. The work of a master? (JR)
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.