La Crema - A Label You Can Count On
La Crema Winery is a family-owned estate in the Russian River Valley that specializes in handcrafted,
Burgundian style Chardonnays and Pinot Noirs from cool climate vineyards in Sonoma and Mendocino
counties. Established in 1979, the winery has never allowed visitors, but the label quickly gained a
reputation for quality and is a label you can always count on for consistently fine wines. The owners
are Laura Jackson-Giron and her sister Jennifer Jackson.
Several winemakers developed the La Crema Winery style through the years, including
Dan Goldfield (Dutton-Goldfield). In 2004, La Crema hired Melissa Stackhouse to
oversee all aspects of winemaking and the wines have reached a level of remarkable
high quality considering the relatively large production and value-pricing. The popularity
of the label has never been higher. In the latest Wine & Spirits Restaurant poll
(April, 2008), La Crema was #12 in the Restaurant Top 50 of wines selling best at
polled restaurants. Pinot Noir has become the biggest seller on many winery lists
(even in Napa Valley) and La Crema Sonoma and Sonoma Coast bottlings are the
most popular (#1) Pinot Noir poured at restaurants.
Stackhouse joined La Crema in 2000 as Associate Winemaker. Prior to La Crema, she had worked at
Peter Michael Winery, Hardy’s Tintara Winery in McLaren Vale, South Australia and Joseph Phelps
Vineyards. She holds a BS degree in Viticulture and Enology from the University of California Davis.
She has been able to focus on cool-climate vineyards and terroirs, creating finely-tuned wines of admirable
elegance and balance. You might see her as well cycling along a road in Sonoma County, as she
is a resident of Healdsburg and participates in triathlons. Not surprisingly, she also turns her artistic
winemaking flair to creative pursuits such as the symphony and ballet.
At least one of the La Crema bottlings is usually available on your local supermarket or wine retailer
shelves. When friends new to wine, and recently that included my son who was invited to dinner, want
a suggestion of a Pinot Noir to bring, I often recommend La Crema. They usually thank me afterwards,
but it is, in fact, no secret, and an easy recommendation to make.
La Crema has been supporting sustainability since 1999 when they were among the first wineries to
become a certified Sonoma County “green business.” La Crema has also been selected to participate
in a pilot project with the California Public Utility Commission to develop an Environmental Management
System for wineries. 75% of La Crema’s vineyards are farmed using “non-tillage” practices to
reduce carbon dioxide output. In all of the estate vineyards, composted grape pomace and chipped
vegetation are added to build up organic matter. Habitat boxes in the vineyards for owls, bluebirds
and falcons help to naturally control vineyard pests. Riparian areas that border vineyards are planted
and maintained. Finally, they use integrated pest management to introduce beneficial insects, helping
to eliminate the need for pesticides.
I tasted through the lineup of 2005 appellation designated Pinot Noirs. The wines were more similar
than different, despite being sourced from diverse regions, and the unifying features included beautiful
balance and attractive textures. They are fashioned for early drinking. The appellation series Pinot
Noirs are reliable wines that are well-crafted and consistently fine, but none will really launch you into
ecstasy.
2005 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $22. Gold Medal
Sonoma County Harvest Fair.
·
Complex aromatics of wet leaf, mown hay,
char and dark fruit. Some appealing minerality and notable herbs and dirt
enhance the slightly muted dark Pinot fruits. Velvety mouth feel and a lingering tang, even high strung,
finish.
2005 La Crema Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $34. Dijon
clones 115, 667 and 777. 33% new barrels.
·
Fairly dark ruby color.
Rather flamboyant scents of dusty cherries. Soft in the mouth, the dark red
cherries are highlighted by herbs and spice and a touch of earth, ending
with a refreshing acid lift. Delivers more on the nose than in the mouth.
2005 La Crema Los Carneros Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $34. Pommard, 115, 667 and 777 clones.
·
Deeper, darker and denser than the other wines in the lineup. This one really pumps out the aromas of
rich black cherry and boysenberries. The black fruits carry the theme to a slightly dry and tannic finish.
2005 La Crema Russian River Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $34. 47% new barrels. Dijon and Pommard
clones.
·
This is the most showy wine and has the most appealing velvety texture in the lineup. Starts
off with black cherry, honey and green herb scents leading to flavors of Bing cherry with herbs, and
woodsy accents. Clean finish and very drinkable.
is located at 3690 Laughlin Rd, Windsor. A tasting room is
located in Healdsburg, at 235 Healdsburg Avenue and is open daily from 10:30 AM to
5:30 PM. The 2006 appellation wines from the Sonoma Coast, Russian River Valley
and Los Carneros have been released and are available for purchase on the website
at
www.lacrema.com. The phone is 800-314-1762. The winery also produces a limited
amount of Nine Barrel Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (200 cases, $75). These wines
are sold out quickly due to high demand and will be allocated strictly to Wine Club
members starting next year. By reputation, the Nine Barrel wines are exceptional.
