Just in time for spring, Laetitia Vineyard & Winery has released a quartet of wines from the 2012 vintage – one Chardonnay and three delectable Pinot Noirs – to pair with garden-fresh cuisine.
Winemaker, Eric Hickey, oversees the team that composes distinctive wines from fruit sustainably grown on Laetitia’s Arroyo Grande Valley AVA estate.
“Two-thousand twelve was an incredible vintage at Laetitia,” Hickey recalls. “A temperate and consistent growing season ended without any heat waves, allowing for an unhurried, gradual harvest.” The result is a clutch of balanced, expressive wines on par with Laetitia’s finest vintages.
- Laetitia 2012 Estate Chardonnay (Price: $18.00)
The grapes for this wine were whole-cluster pressed and went through 75 percent secondary malolactic fermentation until naturally arrested at blending. Each barrel was tasted individually when blended to create an exquisitely balanced Chardonnay that’s varietally true, while still offering plenty of Laetitia’s signature spice. Cooperage included aging in 25 percent new François Frères and Rousseau barrels for nine months.
- Tasting notes: Dried honeycomb and tart green apple express Laetitia’s cool climate, along with multilayered notes of hard lemon candy, wet river rock and hazelnut and a spicy anise finish.
- Pairings: A classic prosciutto-wrapped melon antipasto would pair nicely with this Chardonnay, as would Baja-style fish tacos topped with salsa verde.
- Laetitia 2012 Estate Pinot Noir (Price: $25.00)
All lots of Pinot Noir grapes used in this wine were de-stemmed to allow the fruit characteristics to shine through, unmasked. After a three-day cold soak, a quick fermentation lasted only four days before the wine was sent to the barrel for 11 months. Cooperage included a combination of François Frères and Rousseau French oak barrels, 30% new.
o Tasting notes: The 2012 Estate Pinot Noir offers a seductive nose of summer-warm plums and blackberries, with layers of earth, violets and Asian spice. The palate reveals supple tannins and lively acids accented with pretty notes of framboise, dark chocolate and rye.
o Pairings: Delicious paired with caramelized onion and goat cheese-topped crostini or messy pulled pork sandwiches.
- Laetitia 2012 Reserve Pinot Noir (Price: $40.00)
The Reserve du Domaine Pinot Noir is always comprised of fruit that is given a little longer time on the vine, as well as a little longer time in oak (11 months in 40 percent new François Frères and Rousseau barrels) . This “head of class” Pinot is noticeably rich in dark fruit, complexity and spice as a result of being blended from 60 percent of consistent vineyard blocks and 40 percent special lots that stood out that vintage.
o Tasting notes: This wine is marked by a rich plum hue and intense candied cherry, leather, white pepper and Cuban cigar box aromas. The thick bouquet lingers with complex layers of black fruits, rich mocha and baking spice on the finish.
o Pairings: Lentil and mushroom shepherd’s pie pairs well with this earthy wine, as does spring lamb.
- Laetitia 2012 Whole Cluster Pinot Noir (Price: $40.00)
Unlike other Laetitia wines, this Pinot Noir is made using 45 percent whole clusters (i.e. including the stems) during maceration and fermentation, lifting the palate and changing its entire profile. Aging included 11 months in 50 percent new François Frères and Rousseau French oak barrels.
o Tasting notes: This wine is marked by a refreshing grip in mouth feel and a singular focus on the palate. Crisp notes of cassis, whole-leaf tobacco and black peppercorn overwhelm the bouquet, along with touches of sweet oak and sultry black tea.
o Pairings: Roasted duck with maple-vanilla-glazed carrots or venison sausage would pair beautifully with this complex wine.
For more information about these wines or Laetitia Vineyard & Winery, please visit www.LaetitiaWine.com.