The
2009 vintage was marked by significant swings in temperature
throughout
the growing season. A late-September heat-wave led to
somewhat
higher than optimal sugar levels while we waited for the flavors
to
develop. Dry weather throughout the picking window meant we
had
the luxury of choosing our harvest dates based on flavors rather
than
the meteorological forecast. The fruit was picked RIPE with
exuberant cherry pie and plum flavors. Yields were roughly
on
plan at 1.8 tons per acre. In the cellar we worked to
preserve
the fruit notes while extracting ripe tannins with two week cold
soaks
and gentle handling. This bottling again highlights the
bright
fruit of our Dijon 115 clone (54 percent), with some Wädenswil (19
percent), Mariafeld (13 percent), Pommard (11 percent) and 667 (3
percent). The ripe fruit gives a hint of candied plum in
addition
to our site's characteristic bright pie cherry flavors.
Gingerbread spice and herbes de Provence on the nose and a hint of
grip
on the finish. Aged in French oak for nine months before
bottling
on September 15, 2010. 578 cases produced.
The wine reminds of us our favorite late 70s rock: That period was
all about the lead guitar, and this vintage is all about the fruit
Lia's Vineyard is a series of slopes and benches. Our "Jory
Bench Reserve" highlights fruit from own-rooted Pommard and
Wädenswil
vines growing on a fine bench of Jory soil at the top of the
vineyard. We picked these blocks on October 16th -- and the
fruit
was delicious. To add a bit more character, we incorporated
some
115, Mariafeld and Pommard that we had picked on October
9th. A
two week cold soak was followed by spontaneous fermentation in
jacketed
stainless steel tanks. After nine months on French oak (20
percent new) the wine was bottled on September 15, 2010. The
result is an elegant wine with intense aromatics and floral notes
on
the nose. Savory elements balance the forward berry/cherry
fruit
on the palate while tannins add structure and focus. The
rich
finish is long and lingering. 212 Cases produced.
The wine reminds us our favorite late-'60s rock: It
challenges
our perceptions and rewards our senses.
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. This is
perhaps the best wine we will ever make, and maybe the best wine
anybody will ever make .... <sigh>
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 very lightly pressed then aged in small oak barrels
(20
percent new) for 10 months before bottling on
August 26, 2008.
Our 2007 pinot noir has evolved in the bottle. We aren't
really in love with it like we used to be. We remember the
wine as exuberant and fresh, now it seems a bit brooding and
tired. Has our affection waned simply because the wine has
lost its youthful beauty? Or is it because something better
came along? In the interest of full disclosure, we won't
tell you this is the greatest wine you'll ever drink, etc.
Some people do like it and we've even sold a few cases of it over
the past couple of months. But it ain't "all that" to us
anymore.
Flavors of coffee, butterscotch and dried cherry. Some
bright acidity and light weight. A drinkable wine that might
grow on you. The wine reminds us of classic jazz: Focused,
delicate and intriguingly complex, but maybe a bit challenging for
some.
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Lia's Vineyard has two and a
quarter acres of Chardonnay.
This is "shot Wente," which produces very tiny crops of most
excellent
Chardonnay. To our understanding there are only 10 acres of
Wente
selection remaining in the North Willamette Valley. We think
this
is a shame, because when it is planted in the right site and it is
cropped it to uncomfortably low yields it produces a wine that
pleases
most everybody - both self-proclaimed lovers and haters of
Chardonnay. Our 2008 "Jory Slope" is named for the
upper-block of
our Chardonnay which is planted in well-drained jory soil.
We
think this soil and its steep, south-facing aspect contribute to
the
wonderful spicy notes that characterize this bottling We
harvested on October 27, 2008,
and brought in about 1.1 tons per acre. The fruit was
pressed,
then fermented in neutral oak barrels where it remained
for 18 months. We bottled in May 2010. 111 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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