Wine Spectator -
91 points
Wine
Enthusiast "Editor's Choice" -
91 points
The 2008 vintage was marked by a late start and a late
finish. A compressed growing season contributed to smaller
cluster sizes and yields that would obliterate any reasonable business
plan. Fortunately for you (but not so much for us), we've never
really been fond of business plans - we just do our best to grow great
wine. This bottling again highlights the bright fruit of our
Dijon 115 clone (55 percent), with some Wädenswil (20 percent),
Pommard (15
percent) and Mariafeld (10 percent) adding a bit of complexity to the
wine. The ripe fruit gives a hint of bramble and blackberry in
addition to our site's characteristic bright pie cherry flavors.
Despite the deep color, the wine is quite delicate, yet it has a
playful edginess that we appreciate. The fruit was harvested on
October
15 and 27, 2008, with an average brix at harvest of 24.1.
After fermentation,
the wine was aged in small oak barrels for 10 months before bottling on
September 23, 2009.
The wine reminds of us our favorite jazz: An upbeat tempo, textured
high notes, and a rich depth that brings a smile to our face.
Wine
Enthusiast
-
93 points
For the 2008 vintage we added a one-acre block of Pommard clone that
we felt had potential to make a solid "reserve" quality wine combined
with our favorite half acre of
Wädenswil and some 115 from the lower blocks. We farmed
these blocks differently, with lower yields and added attention.
In the barrel room, four barrels really stood out as just showing the
potential to develop into a world-class pinot noir. While we
aren't big fans of privilege and exclusivity, we decided to bottle
these barrels separately as a limited quantity reserve. The
result is an earthy wine with hints of tar complementing our
characteristic cherry flavors and mouth-watering acidity. The
fruit is 25 percent Pommard, 25 percent Wädenswil, 40 percent 115
and 10 percent Mariafeld. Harvest was October
15 and 27, 2008, with an average brix at harvest of 24.1.
After fermentation,
the wine was aged in small oak barrels for 10 months before bottling on
September 23, 2009.
The wine reminds us our favorite soul music: It makes us want to
stop whatever we're doing and just savor the moment.
For our inaugural vintage,
we selected a handful of blocks
with several clones: Dijon 115 (50 percent) Wädenswil (25
percent),
Mariafeld (13 percent) and Pommard (12 percent). We love the brightness
of our 115, and the meatiness of the Mariafeld combines well with the
plush Pommard and spicy Wädenswil. All fruit was harvested on
October
11, 2007, with an average brix at harvest of 23.1.
After fermentation,
the wine was aged in small oak barrels for 10 months before bottling on
August 26, 2008.
The wine reminds us of great, classic jazz: Fresh, authentic, focused,
delicate - yet intriguingly complex.
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Lia's Vineyard has two blocks of
Chardonnay. For 2007, we worked
with the upper block. This block has well-drained jory soil and we
think it contributes to the wonderful spicy notes that characterize our
Chardonnay. Our Chardonnay is Wente selection, which has been unfairly
maligned, in our opinion. Contrary to what some may claim, it
does ripen in the Willamette Valley (albeit barely) and makes a
wonderful wine. Our only
complaint is that yields tend to be very low, which makes for expensive
fruit -- and not enough wine. We harvested on October 11, 2007,
and brought in about 1.1 tons per acre. The fruit was pressed,
then spontaneously fermented in neutral oak barrels where it remained
for 17 months. We bottled on March 3, 2009. Only 63 cases
made for the lucky few.
This wine is a bit like a classic bossa nova: Elegant and light on
its feet, but with a spicy, earthy beat that makes us want to dance.
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The Fine Print
Orders generally ship within 48 hours (sometimes less) of first business day after order is received, however during periods of extreme weather (hot or cold) we may suggest that an order be held until temperatures moderate before shipping via ground. We'll send you an email w/ship info. Wines may be sold and delivered only to persons who are at least 21 years old. In placing your order you represent to us that you are at least 21 years old and that the person to whom delivery will be made is at least 21 years old. When your wines are delivered, the person receiving delivery will be required to show identification proving that he or she is at least 21 years old.
© 2010 Lia's Vineyard LLC PO Box 414, Newberg, Oregon 97132