Langord Family Wines & Lovemore Vineyards
Russ Langord reached out to me toward the beginning of the COVID19 shut-down in the US. I loved the idea of his - and his wife Sharon's - winery's message. What a good time - as is any, really - to talk about the principles on which they founded their venture: "lovemore dreammore sharemore"?
I was also completely smitten with the Langords' initiative to give to the animal community, one with no "human voice" that gives so much to those of us who welcome pets into our lives, with their givemore initiative to the Pets Lifeline Animal Shelter. Bravo!
Now that I have been living in a city (and country and world community) deeply unsettled by the death of George Floyd for ten days and as I listen to the helicopters and sirens in my beloved Brooklyn neighborhood as yet another peaceful protest unfolds on this gorgeous, late spring afternoon, I can only say that I have all the feels for the sentiments behind the Langords' Lovemore wines. Time to lovemore!
87
Lovemore Vineyards 2016 Sauvignon Blanc Sonoma Coast 14.5% $28
This is a boisterous, lightly golden-colored Sauvignon Blanc with lavishly ripe fruits of pineapple and jackfruit that cleverly retains a tomato leaf top note character. While lightly viscous, the rather high alcohol is well strapped in with saliva-inducing acidity that brings the tropical flavors into an impressively flavorful and lingering finish. The flashy fruit is a bit one-dimensional, and this 2016 is surely at its peak. With its rather big core, this is a Sauvignon Blanc to enjoy with more substantial food.
Drink: 2020-21
87
Lovemore Vineyards 2016 Pinot Noir Sonoma Coast 13.5% $42
A light and more delicately styled Pinot Noir, this is a wine well-suited to serve at cellar temperature. Its aromas display an emphatic earthiness and a broad array of fresh herbs. The palate tastes of red plums and strawberry-rhubarb preserves. Zingy in acidity and lightly dry in tannins, this reserved, elegantly-styled wine with is another one for table.
Drink: 2020-21