Reviews
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) select reviews
of our wines as they are brought to our attention.
2009 Longplay Lia's Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem
Mountains
92 points Supple,
generous and immensely appealing for its ripe blueberry, plum and
spice flavors, hinting at mineral as the finish lingers
impressively. Drink now through 2019. 578 cases made. - Harvey Steiman
2008 Longplay Lia's Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem
Mountains
91 points Supple,
generous and distinctive for its red cherry, raspberry and white
pepper aromas and flavors that swirl together easily as they push
through the long, vivid finish. Drink now through 2020. 287
cases made. - Harvey Steiman
2008 Longplay Lia's Vineyard "Jory
Bench Reserve" Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains
93 points Longplay’s
2008
reserve is quite different from its nonreserve stablemate. The
aromas include more earthy barnyard scents, the color has a hint of
maturity, and no new oak was used. As a result, this wine could pass
for one with a few more years under its belt; its flavors more
suggestive of fruit pastry, figs and plums, leather and compost.
Complex and detailed, it’s a lovely effort. - Paul Gregutt
2008 Longplay Lia's Vineyard Pinot Noir, Chehalem
Mountains
91 points This is a
delight—a supple, polished, ripe and full-throttle Pinot Noir
offered at a mid-1990s price. Winemaker Aron Hess keeps the
alcohol at 13.5%, the oak a moderate 20% new, and the earthy
underpinnings gracefully in check. Lush maroon and purple fruits
are lightly licked with chocolate; the result is a very
satisfying mouthful of wine. Editors’
Choice. - Paul
Gregutt
2008 Longplay "Jory Slope"
Chardonnay, Chehalem Mountains
91 points Strongly flavored by the
barrel fermentation and extended lees contact, this rich and
textural Chardonnay opens with toasted coconut, banana cream pie,
pear tart and other pastry-like delights. It is not fruit-deficient,
however, and there is plenty of snappy acidity under all the
goodies. Editors’
Choice. - Paul
Gregutt
2009 Pinot Noir
Longplay "Jory Bench Reserve" Chehalem Mountains
90 points Bright
red. Wild strawberry and redcurrant on the nose, with
notes of white pepper and minerals adding vivacity. Dry
and nervy, offering energetic red fruit flavors and a hint of
bitter rhubarb. Finishes with sneaky sweetness and good
cling; comes off as weightless but there's very good depth to
the fruit here.
2009 Pinot Noir
Longplay Chehalem Mountains
88 points Light,
bright red. Reticent raspberry and cherry aromas open to
show fresh rose and herb qualities and a hint of white
pepper. Light bodied and gently sweet, offering focused
red berry flavors and a touch of heat. Appealingly fruity
and open-knit, with good finishing cling.
- Josh Raynolds
(Published in
Stephen
Tanzer's
International Wine Cellar July/August 2011)
2008 Pinot Noir Longplay "Jory Bench Reserve" Chehalem
Mountains
91 points Medium
red. Complex scents of dried red berries and cherry, pungent herbs
and slow-building spiciness. Pliant red fruit flavors are seamless
in texture and show no excess fat; in fact, this comes off as very
Old World in character. A sexy floral note arrives on the back end
and carries through a sappy and gently sweet finish. This is
drinking very well right now.
2008 Pinot Noir Longplay
Chehalem Mountains
89 points Dark red.
Ripe red berries and cherry on the nose, with complicating notes
of sassafras and violet. Lush and creamy on entry, then gains a
tangy edge in the middle palate, showing lively red and dark berry
flavors and no obvious tannins. Offers a suave blend of ripeness
and energy, and finishes with very good breadth and lingering
sweetness.
- Josh Raynolds
(Published in
Stephen
Tanzer's
International Wine Cellar July/August 2010)
www.princeofpinot.com
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. - Rusty
Gaffney
Reviewed December 17, 2008 (link to review)
2007 Longplay "Jory Slope" Chardonnay, Chehalem Mountains
88 pts. Pure Wente
clone from 17-year-old vines, this is cropped down to barely a ton
an acre. Flavors are of melon and pear, and the acids keep the wine
fresh and lively. The same vineyard produces grapes for Daedalus and
Bergström.
— Paul Gregutt
Reviewed October 1, 2009
©
2010 Lia's Vineyard LLC PO Box 414, Newberg,
Oregon 97132