The Hedonistic Taster | № 8
by L.M. Archer, FWS | Bourgogne ML
“Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer
Welcome to The Hedonistic Taster, a binNotes | redThread™ trade sampling of artisan wines.
The title derives from the term ‘hedonistic tasting,’ coined by Burgundian vigneron Henri Jayer.
The Hedonistic Taster allows me the opportunity to introduce you to some gorgeous pours through this intimate tasting format.
Santé!
Today’s Tasting:
Lenné Estates | Willamette Valley
Lenné Estate
" data-orig-size="2592,1936" title="Steve&KarenLutz;" data-image-title="Steve&KarenLutz;" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/img_0382.jpg" style="width: 236px; height: 236px;" height="236" width="236" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/img_0382.jpg?w=300" data-original-height="236" alt="Karen and Steve Lutz, owners of Lenné Estate | Image courtesy L.M. Archer." data-original-width="236" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.4","credit":"","camera":"iPad mini","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1459687155","copyright":"","focal_length":"3.3","iso":"25","shutter_speed":"0.00091491308325709","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/img_0382.jpg?w=720" /> Karen and Steve Lutz, owners of Lenné Estate | Image courtesy L.M. Archer.
Lenné Estate produces premium pinot noir
" data-orig-size="1936,1936" title="IMG_0374" data-image-title="IMG_0374" data-orig-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/img_0374.jpg" style="width: 236px; height: 236px;" height="236" width="236" data-medium-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/img_0374.jpg?w=300" data-original-height="236" alt="Lenné Estate tasting room in Yamhill-Carlton AVA, part of Oregon's Willamette Valley. | Image courtesy L.M. Archer." data-original-width="236" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.4","credit":"","camera":"iPad mini","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1459681873","copyright":"","focal_length":"3.3","iso":"160","shutter_speed":"0.041666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-large-file="https://binnotes.files.wordpress.com/2016/06/img_0374.jpg?w=720" /> Lenné Estate tasting room in Yamhill-Carlton AVA, part of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. | Image courtesy L.M. Archer.These tasting notes emerged from an interview I did recently with Lenné Estate owners Steve and Karen Lutz for the July issue of Oregon Wine Press.
As I learned during my visit to Lenne Estate, “site is everything,” owing to the vineyard’s unusual conflagration of Peavine and Willakenzie soils that impart a unique mocha and dark chocolate note to these wines.
You can view my feature on Lenné Estate in the July issue of Oregon Wine Press here.
Wine: LeNez Pinot Noir
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol: 13%
Suggested Retail: $30
Specs
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Unclouded ruby robe.
Nose: Cherry, chocolate.
Palate: Fruit forward; mid-palate grip, silky tannins.
Suggested Pairings: ‘Jeans and t-shirt’ wine for sharing now, rather than cellaring. Suitable for any casual meal such as pizza, pasta, or bbq.
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Wine: Lenné Estate Pinot Noir
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol: 13%
Suggested Retail: $45
Specs
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Clarion ruby robe.
Nose: Floral, hint of red currant and dill on the nose.
Palate: Currant, cherry cola with a back note of chocolate; superb balance, lovely finish; suitable for aging.
Suggested Pairings: Sunday dinner wine. Crack out that roast duck with cherry reduction recipe and go to town.
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Wine: Lenné Estate Jill’s 115
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol: 13.3%
Suggested Retail: $55
Specs
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Brilliant ruby robe.
Nose: Raspberry, black cherry, sous bois.
Palate: Red currant, cherry, berry hints. Pronounced acids, tannins.
Suggested Pairings: For jaded palates looking for a pick-me-up. Try it with braised rabbit.
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Wine: Lenné Estate Karen’s Pommard
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol: 13%
Suggested Retail: $55
Specs
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Dark ruby robe.
Nose: Floral, cherry cola, chocolate.
Palate: A true expression of the Pommard clone, this wine pours out medium bodies with vivid acids, velvety tannins,and a discrete finish.
Suggested Pairings: Comfort wine. Pour forth at a table bursting with friends and family, served up with a savory breast of chicken with rosemary or herbed cornish hens.
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Wine: Lenné Estate Kill Hill
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2013
Alcohol: 13.5%
Suggested Retail: $55
Specs
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Dense ruby robe.
Nose: Dark fruits – black raspberry, cherry and blackberry.
Palate: A real clutch-burner. Rich bramble berry, black pepper, and mocha notes; robust tannins. Age-worthy.
Suggested Pairings: This one’s for the hunting lodge. Pair with roast or grilled game such bison, boar, or buffalo.
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Wine: Lenné Estate Pinot Noir
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2008
Alcohol: 14%
Suggested Retail: $85
Specs
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Clarion ruby robe.
Nose: Complex layers of orange peel, sandalwood, mushroom, sous-bois.
Palate: Uh-huh. Worth every penny. Ode to an epic vintage – moderate weather, a cool fall, and modest rainfall produced perfect clusters that yielded this wine showing vibrant acidity, fine-grained tannins, and a seamless finish.
Suggested Pairings: Savor this beauty on the porch at sunset with a cigar post-prandial. For non-cigar smokers, paired table side with salmon or seared tuna.
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Wine: Lenné Estate cinq élus
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2012
Alcohol: 14.5%
Suggested Retail: $72
Specs
TASTING NOTES:
Robe: Deep ruby robe.
Nose: Red fruit, berry medley, mocha.
Palate: ‘Best of the Best’ five barrels for sure. Elegant, nuanced cuvée showcasing great mid-palate appeal and viscosity.
Suggested Pairings: A ‘fine china and linens’ wine to impress dinner party guests – or hosts – alike.
❦❦❦ You can read my feature on Lenné Estate in the July issue of Oregon Wine Press here. ❦❦❦ Copyrighted 2016 binNotes | redThread™. All Rights Reserved.
