2009 Littorai "The Pivot" Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir

“The 2009 Pinot Noir The Pivot is one of the more delicate wines in this lineup of 2009 Pinots. Weightless and elegant, the Pivot impresses for its understated fruit and subtle floral notes. Crushed flowers, spices, dark red cherries and herbs add lift on the finish. This is another superb, classy wine from Littorai. (AG)” (02/2012)

“Ripe, juicy, and forthright on the nose, this has cherry and raspberry scents along with some delicate oak. It's rich and concentrated but creamy too, and while there's ample tannin and underlying heft, it's still restrained, with moderate acidity and a long, grainy finish. (SB)” (04/2019)

“The Pivot Vineyard Pinot is one of the ripest in the Littorai lineup in 2009, coming in at 13.8 percent alcohol, but it remains a perfectly balanced and very soil-driven example of the vintage. The nose is deep and nicely black fruity, delivering a complex blend of black cherries, a touch of dark berry, white pepper, complex soil tones, gentle notes of mustard seed, espresso and a nice framing of new oak. On the palate the wine is deep, full-bodied and ripely tannic, with a fine core of fruit, fine focus, good acids and very fine grip on the long, well-balanced and youthful finish. This will need a few years to really unfold in the cellar, and should prove to be delightful once it has fully blossomed. (JG) 92+” (05/2011)

“Fresh and snappy wild berry and blackberry fruit has a touch of roasted coffee notes. This is medium- to full-bodied, and spicy, offering mineral, black tea and savory herb touches that firm on the finish. (JL)” (10/2011)

“Good full red. Musky, slightly reduced aromas of redcurrant, plum, mocha, black tea, iron and tobacco, plus a whiff of rhubarb and pomegranate. Then supple, fleshy and smooth, with a restrained sweetness to the flavors of crunchy berries, spices and tea. Very distinctive wine, at once broad and weightless. With its peppery, spicy aftertaste, this conveys a strong whole-cluster character. (ST) 91+” (05/2011)