2017 Wendling Vineyard Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
Whenever I see the Littorai Wendling Pinot Noir I order it. Ted Lemon makes a number of fabulous Pinots and Chardonnays, but the Wendling Pinot is one of his very finest. It emerges from a relatively young site in Anderson Valley planted with a variety of clones from places I probably should not mention. Immediately explosive in its bouquet, the 2017 is a total showstopper. I loved it from barrel and then as a recently bottled wine, but tonight it is even better than I remember from the past. Rich, layered and hauntingly beautiful, the 2017 is simply magnificent. What a wine! In my view the potential for Pinot Noir in Anderson Valley has barely been scratched, but that is a subject for another day.
Critic scores
Average Score
Antonio Galloni, Vinous
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
Striking earthy, foresty freshness with fresh-mushroom and spiced-blueberry aromas, too. Complex pinot here. The palate has a very succulent feel with supple, vibrant red to dark cherries, blueberries and flashes of plums. There’s a wealth of fuller tannin that wraps the fruit nicely. Drink in the next six years.
Bright mid crimson. Intense, fruity, sweet nose verging on cherry cough sweets. But it’s rescued by fine acidity on the finish. Very light sandy tannins. Good energy. But there’s just a little more greenness (stalks?) than my ideal. It’s also slightly drying on the end. (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.