2023 La Crema - Pinot Noir Sonoma HALF BOTTLE (375ml)

For more than thirty years La Crema has built its reputation exploring California's cool coastal appellations, starting at its original estate in the foggy Russian River Valley before expanding north into Mendocino and south along the breezy slopes of Los Carneros. Several respected winemakers have shaped the house style over the decades, including Dan Goldfield and Jeff Stewart, with current winemaker Craig McAllister carrying that Burgundian influenced approach forward today, always chasing sites where coastal wind and fog let fruit ripen slowly.

This bottling draws from several of La Crema's estate vineyards scattered across the Sonoma Coast, including Cloud Landing, Carneros Hills, Shiloh, and Sable Mountain, among others. Grapes are picked during the cool early morning hours, sorted carefully, then fermented mostly in stainless steel with gentle punch-downs to coax out color and silky tannin without overworking the fruit. A portion of whole clusters goes into the mix depending on the year, adding lift and spice, and the finished wine spends several months in French oak, part of it new, before bottling.

The glass shows aromas of red fruit, cocoa, and warm baking spice, opening onto a palate of red cherry, blood orange, and dark berry with a savory edge of espresso. Fine tannins and balanced acidity carry through a long finish. Try it with grilled salmon, bacon-wrapped dates, or a light chocolate dessert.