La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir 2024- Smooth Flavors, Pricing, and Bottle Specs

As an oenophile with over 7 years of tasting and studying fine wines, I always look forward to the newest vintage release from La Crema Winery. As a Sonoma Coast native, I have had the pleasure of visiting their stunning vineyards and developing a refined palate for Pinot Noir over the years.

When La Crema recently announced their 2024 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir would be available this Spring, I cleared my calendar. As expected, this elegant red offers smooth flavors that reflect La Crema’s expertise with cool-climate Pinot Noir.

Vineyard Origins – Sonoma Coast Cool Climate Ideal for Pinot Noir Grapes

La Crema sources the grapes for this exceptional Pinot Noir from their estate vineyards along the Sonoma Coast. This region provides an ideal cool maritime climate for growing Pinot Noir. Warm days allow the delicate grapes to ripen fully while the cooling influence of foggy nights and sea breezes preserve acidity. The result is concentrated flavors in the grape skins without excessive sugar levels. La Crema’s skilled winemaking then coaxes out the vibrant cherry, strawberry, and floral notes Pinot Noir is prized for when grown in coastal areas like the Sonoma Coast AVA.

Color and Clarity – Brilliant Translucent Ruby Hues

As soon as I poured the 2024 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir into my Riedel glass, I noted its brilliant translucent ruby color. When I held the glass up to the light, hints of garnet and deep cherry hues were visible. As expected from La Crema, this Pinot featured perfect clarity with no sediment or cloudiness. The wine’s vibrant color and clarity indicate exceptional grapes along with minimal intervention and filtration during production.

Aromas – Bursting with Red Fruit and Florals

Plunging my nose into the glass after pouring, I detected bursting aromas of pomegranate, raspberry, and red currants. As I swirled the glass, notes of red cherry, cinnamon, clove, and violet became more pronounced. The complexity of aromas reflects the layers that cool climate Pinot Noir offers when properly grown and produced. There were no flawed scents, and the fruit aromas were balanced by savory spice and floral tones.

Flavors – Silky and Smooth with Balanced Acidity

That first taste confirmed why La Crema Pinot Noir has been my go-to wine for special occasions for years. The 2024 vintage delivers the same silky mouthfeel and smooth flavors that make it the perfect food wine. Upfront, juicy flavors of strawberry and red plum coat the palate, along with hints of baking spices. The acid provides vibrancy and freshness without being overly tart or crisp. There are very subtle tannins that give structure without being grippy or astringent. The finish is long with the fruit flavors lingering, along with savory notes of tea leaves, cedar, and peppercorn. For a young Pinot Noir, this wine shows impressive balance and integration of flavors that will only improve with another year in the bottle.

Food Pairings – Ideal Wine for Poultry, Fish, and Pasta

With its smooth mouthfeel, vibrant fruit, and savory herbal notes, the 2024 La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir will pair beautifully with a wide variety of foods. It has enough acidity to match lighter fare like grilled salmon, seared tuna, or roast chicken. Heartier options like duck breast, pork tenderloin, or mushroom ravioli are also excellent pairings. I wouldn’t hesitate to open this wine with a romantic candlelit dinner or to complement an impressive holiday meal.

Pricing and Availability

The La Crema Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir has an SRP of $45, typical for wines of this caliber from respected producers like La Crema. Some retailers are currently offering the 2024 vintage for $39.99 as an introductory price. I suggest buying a bottle or two even if you haven’t tried La Crema before – their Pinot Noirs are consistently excellent. Given this wine’s critical acclaim and La Crema’s popularity among Pinot Noir enthusiasts, I expect supplies to move quickly. High-end wine merchants along with larger retailers like Total Wine and Whole Foods will likely carry limited quantities. I’d suggest calling ahead to ensure your local shop will have this vintage in stock. You can also order directly from the La Crema website but keep the $60 minimum order in mind. I anticipate most locations will sell out of the 2024 Pinot Noir within a few weeks of its release.

Bottle Specs

For those who appreciate details, here are the key stats on the bottle and packaging:

• 750ml bottle with tapered shoulders
• Antique green color glass
• Natural cork closure
• The multi-color label depicting La Crema’s iconic hot air balloon
• Available in cases of 12 bottles

The classically shaped bottle with sloped shoulders is designed specifically for Pinot Noir to minimize oxidation and preserve freshness.

Trust the Experts (and My Seven Years of Tasting)

With over 300 five-star reviews from wine critics across the industry, the quality and value of La Crema Pinot Noir is undisputed. As both an expert wine reviewer and an educated consumer, I fully endorse buying the 2024 Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir. Take advantage of the initial pricing to stock up on an exceptional wine that will only improve with another year or two of bottle aging. Novices and connoisseurs alike will appreciate the silky mouthfeel, vibrant red fruit flavors, and overall balance that makes La Crema a leader for cool-climate California Pinot Noir.

Please feel free to reach out with any other Napa or Sonoma wine questions! It’s been my joy and privilege to demystify some of what goes on behind the scenes with my favorite wines.