By Michael Hepworth
Hollywood,CA(Spiritsman)6/18/12/—The Laetitia vineyards 2010 Pinot Noir was harvested in October 2010 in what has been described as one of the coolest years on record. The winery realized that the vintage was going to be special so they did some aggressive fruit drops which was helped by a heatwave that lasted a week which allowed the grapes to mature properly.
The Reserve Du Domaine Pinot Noir ($40) from Laetitia was aged for 11 months in 40% new Francois Freres and Rousseau French oak barrels. This is a rich and complex fruity wine that will keep until 2017.
On the other hand, the 2010 Laetitia Estate Pinot Noir ($25) had a much longer harvest date, and this wine was harvested at night which allows for the bright acids, sugars and other flavors to come through. All lots were destemmed,and the concentrated fruits only needed a 3-day cold soak. Then followed a 4 day fermentation period, followed by an 11 month aging period.
The Non-Vintage Laetitia Brut Cuvee ($22) consists of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay & Pinot Blanc grapes and is the recipient of a climate only four miles from the ocean in Arroyo Grande that is foggy in the morning, hot in the afternoon and cool in the evening. This produces grapes that have an extended growing season, high acidity and low Ph, resulting in intense flavor and complexity.The soil is another big plus for growing quality grapes being consisting of volcanic pumice, shale and alluvial soils.
This wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and bottles in the spring. Next comes 24 months en tirage where bottling, aging, riddling, disgorging and labeling takes place. This wine is crisp and excellent value with a 12.5% alcohol content.
The Laetitia Winery was originally founded by a French champagne house in 1982, and specializes in small lot Pinot Noir and sparkling wine. The 600 acre land is managed by vineyard manager Lino Bozzano and winemaker and president Eric Hickey.
We like very much the wines coming out of this winery so go on the web site or call the winery direct to find out where to pick up these goodies, and your friends and guests will be suitably impressed.
888-809-VINE
Michael Hepworth
287 S.Robertson Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211
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