Sashi Moorman visited to discuss the wines from Domaine de la Côte, a Pinot Noir-focused winery in California that has garnered considerable interest. Notably, he highlighted a vertical tasting of their Bloom’s Field wine, spanning vintages from 2013 to 2021. Moorman, alongside partner Raj Parr, leads the winery, which is nestled in an industrial area of Lompoc.
Moorman expressed enthusiasm for the vertical tasting, noting, “This is fun for me, because I haven’t done a vertical in a very long time.” He also remarked on the unique attributes of their vineyards, which he described as extraordinary despite the mundane setting of the winery itself. Although they are not trying to replicate Burgundy, Moorman acknowledges that “our north star is certainly Burgundy,” referencing the inspiration drawn from the famed wine region.
Many have assumed that Moorman and Parr aim to create Burgundian facsimiles, a misconception he aims to correct. Their vineyard’s budwood originates from Burgundy, yet the Californian selections haven’t undergone heat treatment, which both Moorman and Parr believe plays a crucial role in the character of their wines.
Addressing terroir, Moorman commented on a common oversight regarding California wines and their lack of perceived terroir or vintage variation. He stated, “Many people thought that there was no terroir or vintage variation in California,” attributing this misconception to late grape picking. As climate change continues to affect vineyards worldwide, he sees parallels emerging in Burgundy as well.
At Domaine de la Côte, Moorman emphasizes stewardship of “something rare,” cultivating Pinot Noir with thoughtful grape selections in a notably cooler climate—where summer temperatures rarely surpass 25°C. The uniqueness of their soil, diatomaceous earth, also contributes to the wines’ distinct qualities, though this farming method proves to be costlier. Unlike typical planting densities, they have opted for a tight spread of 10,000 vines per hectare, which amplifies both establishment and annual farming costs significantly.
In addition to Pinot Noir, the estate produces Chardonnay, particularly the Juliet block, planted sur echalas—a method without trellising. Moorman advocates for whole bunch processing to enhance fragrance and complexity in their wines. He has also adjusted extraction techniques to accommodate the maturing vineyards while stopping the use of press wine.
The winery consists of varied soils: La Côte has shale and clay, Bloom’s Field is light and powdery, while Memorious has heavier clay contributing to more tannic wines. Moorman employs low-nutrient musts to achieve desirable reductions in Chardonnay, ensuring high-quality juice extraction while maintaining acidity levels.
The 2022 vintage faced challenges due to a heatwave; however, all grapes were harvested before its peak, resulting in warmer fermentations with greater extraction during this period.
In terms of the tasting profile for the wines:
- Domaine de la Côte Estate Pinot Noir 2022: Bright, vibrant, and concentrated, with cherries, raspberries, and a hint of olive—rated 94/100.
- Domaine de la Côte Memorious Pinot Noir 2022: Energetic with ripe fruit and precise tannins—rated 95/100.
- Domaine de la Côte La Côte Pinot Noir 2022: Aromatic with a beautiful texture and fine tannins—rated 95/100.
- Domaine de la Côte Bloom’s Field Pinot Noir 2022: Remarkable purity and finesse—rated 96/100.
- Domaine de la Côte Juliet Chardonnay 2018: Mineral and spicy, with excellent balance—rated 95/100.
- Domaine de la Côte Juliet Chardonnay 2020: Linear and pure, showcasing citrus and mineral nuances—rated 96/100.
- Bloom’s Field vertical wines from various years received substantial praise for their precision, texture, and fruit expressions, showcasing the winery’s commitment to quality and terroir.
For more details about Domaine de la Côte, visit their website.