Radio-Coteau Pinot Noir 'Savoy' 2019
Regular price $226.00
Unit price per
- TASTING NOTE: The 2019 unfolds with intricate layers of luxurious black cherry, warm cloves, and forest floor notes carried by well-integrated, silky tannins and a refreshingly long finish. This wine has softened considerably since bottling and is drinking beautifully now, with the stems component having integrated nicely.
-
ABOUT THE WINE: The Savoy Vineyard in the Anderson Valley, Mendocino County, has established a firm reputation for producing some of the north coast’s most exceptional cool climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The 18-hectare, southwest-facing site lies 120 kilometres northwest of the Radio-Coteau estate. Sussman has a per-acre contract and pays a premium for his fruit, so he may retain control over how those acres are managed viticulturally. Low yields, green harvesting and organic farming are a few of Sussman’s requirements. Like the rest of the Anderson Valley, Savoy enjoys a very pronounced diurnal range—night-time drops in temperature can be as much as 25 degrees Celsius—which brings the signature tension of Anderson Valley alongside flavour ripeness in both the Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines. Eric Sussman has worked with the Savoy Vineyard since Radio-Coteau’s genesis, beginning with Pinot Noir in 2002. A who’s-who of Sonoma’s finest source from this vineyard (Littorai and Peay included), where the Pinot Noir develops intense flavour over a growing season lengthened by the cooling maritime influence that funnels through the valley.
Radio-Coteau has been working with the same vineyard blocks (vines planted between 1991 and 1996) for almost two decades. With a complex patchwork of clonal selections, each block is organically farmed to its own specific needs. Hand-picking at night and transport to the cellar in the early morning allows for optimum handling and whole berry integrity. The fruit is fermented with 41% whole clusters, and a 16-month élevage occurs in light to medium-toasted, tightly-grained French oak (34% new). The wine is bottled unfined and unfiltered and rests for a further year in bottle before release.
- ABOUT THE PRODUCER: In the 20 years since its foundation, Radio-Coteau has developed a cult-like following among the cognoscenti of The New California. Eric Sussman, winegrower and proprietor at Radio-Coteau, lives by the tenet, “the best fertiliser is the farmer’s shadow”. With his small team he makes some of California’s most exciting, nuanced and fresh cool-climate Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, from a range of coastal-influenced vineyards in Western Sonoma County and the Anderson Valley. Sussman has led a storied career spanning four decades and two continents. A New York native, he studied Viticulture and Agricultural Science at Cornell University, focusing on organic viticulture. Two formative years in France followed, apprenticing at Comte Armand and Jacques Prieur in Burgundy and Mouton Rothschild in Bordeaux. Sussman credits these seasons in France with solidifying his interest in crafting wines that speak of place, and the use of organic and biodynamic farming and low-intervention winemaking. He returned to the States in 1997, working at Bonny Doon and Dehlinger before starting Radio-Coteau in 2002, with a name that loosely translates to ‘broadcasting from the hillsides’, or more colloquially as ‘word of mouth’, a phrase that stuck with Sussman since his time in France. For 10 years, Sussman sought fruit from the great north coast vineyards of Western Sonoma County and Anderson Valley. In 2012, the opportunity arose to purchase one of his source vineyards. Practically within sniffing distance of the famed Heintz Vineyard and bordering the Russian River Valley, the 17-hectare Radio-Coteau site is located on a ridge at 240 metres elevation above the town of Occidental, just 13 kilometres from the coast. The property is home to a diverse agrarian platform; alongside the nine hectares under vine (Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Syrah, Riesling and Zinfandel), there are cover-crops, owl boxes, raptor perches and bee hives. Both organic and biodynamic practices are used, and the vineyard has been Demeter certified since 2018. The soils are fine sandy Goldridge loams, which provide excellent drainage and moderate fertility. The roots extend deep into the subsoil, facilitating dry farming. Proximity to the ocean and the moderating influence of rolling fogs provide a cool coastal climate and long, even ripening periods. In addition to the estate vines, Sussman also sources fruit from the Heintz Vineyard, described by Robert Parker as “one of the greatest Grand Cru sites for Chardonnay in California”. To the north, the Savoy Vineyard is another site of high regard, located in the Anderson Valley AVA in Mendocino. From this site, Eric Sussman has made a single vineyard Pinot Noir since Radio-Coteau’s genesis in 2002 and a Chardonnay since 2005 (one of only two producers to do so). Compared to the more moderate conditions on the Sonoma Coast, the Anderson Valley experiences very pronounced diurnal shifts, often with temperature variances of 20 degrees or more, resulting in a signature tension in the wines. Both sites are managed organically. With all the hard work put into the vineyards, Sussman aims to do as little as possible in the winery, again emphasising his “old-world technique with new-world fruit” approach. Fruit is usually picked at about 13 to 14% potential alcohol, all fermentations are native, there are no additions save for small amounts of sulphur. All Pinot Noir wines are free-run only, and the whites get only the lightest of pressings. Élevage is long and slow, use of new oak is minimal, and all wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered.
- COUNTRY: USA
- REGION: Anderson Valley, California
- VARIETAL: Pinot Noir
- WINE STYLE: Red Wine
- WINEMAKER: Eric Sussman
- CLASSIFICATION: Minimal Intervention, Unfined & Unfiltered, Organic Farming, Vegan
- CLOSURE: Cork
- ABV%: 13%
- SIZE: 750ml
FAQ
FAQ
Q: I need help making a drink selection! Can you help?
A: Of course. Drop into the Wine Store or get in touch.
Q: What are my pickup options?
A: Select 'pickup' when you place your online order and you can collect anytime during our opening hours.
Pickup is available during our opening hours:
Tuesday - Saturday: 12:00pm - 9:00pm
Sundays, Mondays & Public Holidays: Closed
Q: Can someone else pickup my order?
A: Yes if they have your receipt. However all alcohol orders must be picked up by an individual 18 year or older. Proof of age and sobriety are required as per RSA regulation.
Q: What are my delivery/shipping options?
A: Please check out our shipping policy.
Q: How do I make payment?
A: We accept payment by Visa, Mastercard, American Express or through Paypal. If you have a question about your payment please refer to your order number when you get in touch.
Q: I've ordered a digital gift certificate. When will I receive?
A: Once we reconcile your payment, you will receive your voucher via email.
Q: Can I use a gift certificate against multiple transactions?
A: Yes.
Q: I'm ordering a gift for someone. Can you supply a gift note for the wine I have ordered for them?
A: Yes. You can include a gift message when you add the item to your shopping cart in the 'special instructions' box. Please email us at if you have any trouble with this and quote your order number and we will make it all happen!
Q: I'm need to order multiple gifts! Can you help?
A: Of course. Check out our Wine Gifting page.
Q: What are your COVID-19 safety practices?
A: The safety of our staff, diners and customers is paramount. We abide by all regulations and precautions, especially during times of restrictions or lockdown. We are able to offer contactless delivery and pickup. We reserve the right to implement additional precautions as official guidelines and situations change.
Help keep everyone safe and send someone else to collect on your behalf if you are sick or at risk of infection.