Broadly speaking, we are wary of wine reviews in our capacities as
both consumers and wine peddlers. To us they are like
music reviews - we don't need other people to tell us what we do or
don't like.
And as a small producer with limited distribution (and a limited
marketing budget) it, understandably, can be tough to capture the
attention of the press.
At the same time, we appreciate that people might hesitate to lay down good money the first time they see one of our wines on a shelf at the wine shop, on a menu, or online. There is something to be said for the comfort that comes from knowing a person or publication has risked a hard-earned reputation passing judgment on a wine.
Accordingly we seek to reprint (within legal bounds) reviews of our wines as they are brought to our attention.
2007 Longplay Lia’s Vineyard Chehalem Mountains Pinot Noir
13.0% alc., 420 cases
Inaugural release from the 25-acre Lia’s Vineyard which is composed of five Pinot Noir clones (115, 667, Pommard, Wädenswil and Mariafeld) planted in Jory soil from 1990 to 2002. Lia’s Vineyard was originally part of Rex Hill’s Jacob-Hart Vineyard. The older vines are own rooted. The vines are spaced at 5 x 9 with VSP trellising and are non-irrigated. This wine is 50% Dijon clones. The grower is Todd Hansen and winemaker is Aron Hess (formerly Rex Hill, now Daedalus Cellars and Anam Cara Cellars).
Light crimson in color. A demure wine that is red fruit driven with an appealing accent of oak spice and minerality. Picked at an average brix of 23 at harvest, this wine is understandably light in weight with a good acid spine. Will appeal to Pinot purists.
Reviewed December 17, 2008 (link to review)
