Clos De La Tech

Domaine Lois Louise Santa Cruz Mountains Pinot Noir

9.030 ratings
8.910 pro ratings
Santa Cruz Mountains, San Francisco Bay, California, USA
Pinot Noir
Turkey, Game, Exotic Spices, Soft Cheese, Duck, Goose, Salads & Greens, Potato, Quinoa, Farro, Brown Rice, White Rice, Pasta, Herbs, Nuts & Seeds, Mushrooms, Chicken, Meaty & Oily Fish, Shellfish, Crab & Lobster, Stew, Onion, Shallot, Garlic, Salami & Prosciutto, Salmon, Quinoa, Shellfish
Top Notes For
Cathrine Todd

I tried two bottles and both were consistent in their profiles and quality levels. A big wine that is generous at a relatively youthful age but I would decant it for a couple of hours since I thought it showed a lot more through time. It has a great muscular structure that would be typical of Nuits-Saint-Georges wines in Burgundy, but balanced with rich, fruit forward quality that also reminds me of Vosne-Romanée. A deep ruby color that has notes of black cherry, anise, tobacco leaf, hints of red clay and a powerful, sustained length. The wine is named after the owner's mother, Lois Louise, whose picture graces the label. The picture was taken after World War II ended and she was just released from the army.

I tried two bottles and both were consistent in their profiles and quality levels. A big wine that is generous at a relatively youthful age but I would decant it for a couple of hours since I thought it showed a lot more through time. It has a great muscular structure that would be typical of Nuits-Saint-Georges wines in Burgundy, but balanced with rich, fruit forward quality that also reminds me of Vosne-Romanée. A deep ruby color that has notes of black cherry, anise, tobacco leaf, hints of red clay and a powerful, sustained length. The wine is named after the owner's mother, Lois Louise, whose picture graces the label. The picture was taken after World War II ended and she was just released from the army.

Oct 23rd, 2015
Rebecca Fletcher

Black cherry, perfume, earth, leather and tobacco. A "big" Pinot! M+ tannin, M acid. Needs some time.

Black cherry, perfume, earth, leather and tobacco. A "big" Pinot! M+ tannin, M acid. Needs some time.

Sep 17th, 2015
Rebecca Fletcher

Violet, dark fruit, spice, wet rock. A bit of Brett. M+ acid, chalky tannin but not intrusive. Beautiful structure.

Violet, dark fruit, spice, wet rock. A bit of Brett. M+ acid, chalky tannin but not intrusive. Beautiful structure.

Aug 22nd, 2015
Alder Yarrow

Wine Blogger Vinography

8.4

Decent Pinot from a vanity project in Santa Cruz Mountains.

Decent Pinot from a vanity project in Santa Cruz Mountains.

Apr 26th, 2014
Lauren Domenech

Baked cherries, damp forest floor. Pinch of eucalyptus & baking spices. Yes I say!

Baked cherries, damp forest floor. Pinch of eucalyptus & baking spices. Yes I say!

Apr 19th, 2014
Alyssa Rapp

CEO/Founder Bottlenotes

9.8

Easily the best pinot from the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Easily the best pinot from the Santa Cruz Mountains.

Mar 21st, 2014
Rosemarie McClure

At half moon bay wine and cheese notes of licorice

At half moon bay wine and cheese notes of licorice

Jul 23rd, 2017
Jon Bonné

Wine Editor San Francisco Chronicle

Things encountered on the job ...

Things encountered on the job ...

Apr 17th, 2014
Matt Ryan

Hospitality Director Big Basin Vineyards

One cord song. Dark fruit.

One cord song. Dark fruit.

Feb 20th, 2014
Matt Ryan

Hospitality Director Big Basin Vineyards

Corked, sadly.

Corked, sadly.

Feb 20th, 2014