Description
The La Crema winery is an established specialist in intensely flavoured Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the cool Sonoma Coast. Unlike many wineries in the region, La Crema does not have large tourist facilities and is not open to the public. It is a small top-end family estate that gets on with the job of handcrafting fine wines, barrel by barrel.

Fruit quality is the starting point of any fine wine and La Crema has plenty of great grapes. Like the Burgundy region, the vineyards of Sonoma Coast offer an unusually long, cool and even growing season. Fog and breezes from the nearby Pacific Ocean help to moderate temperatures and slow the ripening process. The results at harvest are small grapes with highly concentrated varietal aromas and flavours.

This delicious Pinot Noir opens with aromas of ripe cherries, blossom, spicy clove and liquorice. In the mouth, cherry, plum, orange peel and tea leaves flavours shine through. Balanced acidity and firm tannins round out a long, lingering finish.

International Wine Challenge 2008, United Kingdom