Medium ruby color; strawberry, blueberry, raspberry, dark cherry, plum, cranberry, tea, vanilla, spices forest floor on the nose and palate.
Dry; integrated, silky tannins; balancing acidity. Medium body; long finish; aromatic complexity. Grapes harvested from Sable Mountain and other prime Anderson Valley sites noted for low-yielding vines and quality fruit. Harvested fruit was cold soaked for 3-5 days to enhance color, followed by fermentation in open-top stainless steel tanks with manual punch-downs three times a day. Fermented wines spent nine months in French oak, 20% new, which preserved natural fruit and relegated oak to a mild supporting role. 13.5% ABV
La Crema is a family-owned estate in the Russian River Valley in Sonoma and Mendocino counties. Owners Laura Jackson-Giron and her sister, Jennifer Jackson Hartford, founded the winery in 1979 with a commitment to quality. The original name was La Crema Viñera (“The Best of the Vine”). The name, of course, has now been shortened. It still means quality grapes from one of California’s preeminent cool-climate regions of California and Oregon.
Laura Jackson-Giron and Jennifer Jackson Hartford are daughters of Jess Jackson. They also are owners of Jackson Family Wines, a major world player in the wine world. Barbara Banke, Jess’s widow, is the chairperson of Jackson Family Wines. Son-in-law Don Hartford is the vice chairman. Hailey Jackson Hartford Murray, daughter of Jennifer and Don Hartford, is third-generation involved in the winery.
The La Crema operation specializes in Burgundian-style pinot noir and chardonnay, classic cooler climate grapes. Craig McAllister is the head winemaker, assisted by winemaker Eric Johannsen. Lisa Valtenbergs joins them as the facility winemaker. La Crema also has a robust a culinary-restaurant program. Tracey Shepos Cenami is the chef and cheese specialist. There are tasting rooms in Healdsburg and at Saralee’s Vineyard at La Crema Estate in an historic barn.
Vineyards are sustainably farmed and are CCSW-certified (Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing). Composted pomace (pulp remaining after crushing grapes) is returned to the soil. Bird habitat boxes attract owls, bluebirds, and falcons to nest and patrol the vineyards and naturally control vineyard pests. They practice integrated pest management by introducing beneficial insects to reduce use of pesticides. The winery’s water conservation methods mean they use half the industry average. All vineyard irrigation is recycled water. They employ a Tesla Energy Powerpack to reduce electric drain during peak times, and their solar array provides up to 65% of their power needs.
La Crema Anderson Valley Pinot Noir 2022 offers a darker fruit profile than the previous vintage but maintains La Crema’s PN’s place as a quality, enjoyable, higher-end effort. Fresh, silky, smooth, complete, sophisticated easy drinker that showcases Anderson Valley’s ability to deliver quality California pinot noir. Pairing—herbed roast chicken; coq au vin; duck. Burgers with pickled onions, smoked cheeses. Roast lamb, beef bourguignon. Grille salmon, seared tuna, crab-stuffed mushrooms. Pizza with sun-dried tomatoes; lentil ragù; roasted root vegetables with rosemary, thyme. Cheese—versatile; brie, camembert; taleggio, gruyère; aged gouda, pecorino stagionato; smoked gouda, reblochon. Avoid fresh goat cheese, overly pungent—limburger, époisses; aged cheddar will have a tannic clash. $49
La Crema’s very informative website; worth a visit. Many nice videos
