La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

Description

La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir is made from vineyards near the Pacific Coast and San Pablo Bay, here there is an unusually long growing season, lingering fog and coastal wines moderate the temperatures producing small, ripe berries with good acidity and concentrate aromas and flavours.

La Crema specialise in cool climate wines and only make Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Founded over 30 years ago, La Crema began life at their Russian River Valley estate. Over the years, however, they have specialised in sourcing grapes from California’s cool coastal regions including Russian River Valley, Los Carneros, Anderson Valley, Sonoma Coast and Monterey. To this one can now add their exciting new project in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. Head Winemaker, Craig McAllister, employs a combination of traditional Burgundian wine making techniques and modern Californian style. 

Established in 1987, the Sonoma Coast AVA is one of California’s most distinctive and sought-after winegrowing regions. It is one of Sonoma County’s largest AVAs and stretches from the San Pablo Bay in the South to Mendocino County line to the North and runs primarily along the mountainous coastline of the Pacific Ocean. There is a strong maritime influence here which provides a cool growing climate throughout the year with fog moderating warmer summer temperatures. These are perfect conditions for Pinot Noir, which thrives in the region’s cool, coastal climate. The wines produced here are often elegant, with bright red fruit flavours, subtle earthiness, and a beautiful balance between acidity and tannins.

The grapes for La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir are mainly hand-picked and gently de-stemmed, with 70% whole berries in tank. They are cold soaked at 48˚F for 3-5 days and then fermented in open top tanks, punched down 3 times per day during active fermention. Post-fermention, free run was transfered to tank for one night of settling before racking to new and used French oak barrels (100% French Oak, 19% new, for 6 months). No racking out of barrels until blending prior to bottling.

Suitable for vegans and vegetarians.