2014 Les Griottes Pinot Noir
Introducing the Magnificent 2014 Vintage
A Definitive Release of Compelling MonoClone® Pinot Noirs
In 2005 we made our first Pinot Noir from the family vineyard (only 143 cases produced, that’s it!); Located in a unique site we believed would enable us to craft wines with a style that might satisfy our infatuation for the great Burgundies that we love. In 2009, from the same site, we challenged ourselves to make our Pinot Noirs from single vineyard, single clone, and allocate a single cooperage (barrel maker) from France to deliver uncompromised focus to each wine. The MonoClone® was born and we registered the trademark to protect our beliefs.
Having said that, we did not become stubborn about the MonoClone or infatuated by the idea, the wines had to deliver. If they did not, we would have gone back to blending the clones. Our MonoClone focus has produced compelling wines, and so here we are, almost a decade later enjoying unique, compelling wines – all so different but sharing the same commitment to elegance, length, and complexity. Vive la différence!
2014 had a moderate winter resulting in an earlier start to the vintage. We enjoyed a cool spring and a good fruit set. Overall it was a temperate, gentle growing season that helped to nurture complexity, length, and concentration along with quality and consistency both in and among our vineyards. While the persistent drought was concerning in some areas, our cool, coastal sites remained unaffected – in fact Les Griottes vineyard has and remains dry farmed – no irrigation.
We selected these three specific MonoClone Pinot Noirs side by side, because they illustrate best our quest for crafting wines of great range and personality. All born and raised under the same roof, but they could not be more different; as siblings they complement each other. This is why we make Pinot!
LES GRIOTTES 2014
If L’Espérance is the most feminine, ethereal Pinot Noir that we produce, Les Griottes is the most masculine and enigmatic. Born from a legendary clone of great pedigree and situated on an amazing site in the middle of giant redwood trees. The wine density and concentration as well as its origins has created many of debates and conversation around the tables of our friends. The 2014 Les Griottes possesses all of the great qualities, and his reminiscent of the great wines around Vosnes-Romanée.
2014 LES GRIOTTES MonoClone Pinot Noir, Sonoma Coast
Tasting Notes
Le Regard / The Look
Brilliant and dense robe of deep crimson. The swirls in the glass possess great weight and viscosity.
Le Nez / The Nose
At first the nose is a bit closed, but once decanted, the aromas are of great weight and bloom very quickly, highly perfumed, high-toned aromatic profile that is quite floral (violets) along with offering notes of oriental tea and exotic spice on the mostly red and blue pinot fruit scents.
Degustation / The Taste
The front palate delivers an intense and precise mouth coating of blueberry and black cherries, layered with dark chocolate and coffee grounds, spiked with roast meat drippings and sappy herbal tones. As the wine opens up, the fruits develop into a caramelized and exotic compote, ultra-refined flavors of sous-bois and truffles precise and complex in their purity and while there is a definitive robust power, there is notably more finesse and even a bit more overall length on the mildly austere finish. It's hard to capture mouth feel in words but think of lacy and silky textured flavors that possess amazing fruit extraction and density. This wine will age for decades and we definitely suggest decanting for 20 minutes prior to letting the magic into the glass.