As the first American to make wines and manage the vineyards of a Burgundian producer (none other than Domaine Guy Roulot), Ted Lemon has “the magic touch with both Chardonnay and Pinot Noir”, as Antonio Galloni puts it. Today we are thrilled to offer a highly limited selection of his 2019 vintage - a hugely successful one that drinkers and collectors will want to have plenty of in their cellars!

Other than Domaine Guy Roulot, Ted Lemon has also worked at other numerous other highly distinguished addresses in Burgundy such as Georges Roumier, Dujac, Domaine de Villaine and Bruno Clair. Upon returning to the United States, he made wine in Napa Valley and also consulted for other wineries in California, Oregon and New Zealand, before founding Litorrai with their inaugural vintage in 1993 using purchased fruit. By the 1996 vintage, Littorai was already described by Robert Parker as “some of California's most elegant, flavorful, subtle wines”. Littorai continues to purchase fruit through contracts with growers but has also acquired some vineyards such as the One Acre.

Over 20 vintages on, Littorai is producing some of its best wines yet. The 2019 vintage has clinched some impressive scores from both Wine Advocate and Vinous, and today we are very excited to highlight two Pinot Noirs and the Mays Canyon Chardonnay from this brilliant vintage.

As the longest, continuous purchaser of fruit from the Hirsch Vineyard, the Hirsch Pinot Noir occupies a special spot on Littorai’s portfolio. Located less than 5km from the Pacific Ocean, the vineyard experiences erratic and unpredictable climate. Vines that are planted in 1990 are farmed according to organic and biodynamic practices, though the vineyard is not certified. Receiving 96 points from Antonio Galloni and 94 points from Erin Brooks (Wine Advocate), the 2019 Hirsch Vineyard Pinot Noir received 96 is certainly one of the top performing Pinot Noirs from Littorai, offering a “statuesque, vertical quality that is hard to fully describe” (Antonio Galloni).

Located within the Anderson Valley AVA, One Acre was the first vineyard designated Pinot Noir produced by Littorai in 1993, and Littorai was able to acquire the site in 2016. Located nearly 500m above sea level, the site houses vines originally planted in 1986 that were replanted in 2005 due to phylloxera. The 2019 vintage received 94 points from Brooks and 96 points from Galloni, who found it “simply exceptional”.

Planted to both Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the Mays Canyon vineyard sits 60m to 120m above sea level and is surrounded by the Russian River on three sides. Vines were replanted in 1999 and grow on hugo gravelly loam that help to retain the heat and keep the vines warm in the fog. The 2019 Mays Canyon Chardonnay is “weightless in feel and wonderfully expressive”, finishing with “fantastic persistence”.

With less than 500 cases of each wine produced, the spectacular range of 2019s from Littorai offered today represent some of the finest examples of Californian Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that oenophiles, or even Burgundy fans, are strongly encouraged to try.