Lavinea is your classic ‘dream team’, two industry vets getting together to produce some very special Pinot Noirs from the heart of the Willamette Valley.
A native of Quebec, Isabelle Meunier studied winemaking and viticulture at the University of Dijon and in New Zealand at Lincoln University before cutting her winemaking teeth in Burgundy, under the watch of fellow French-Canadian Pascal Marchand at Domaine de la Vougeraie, and at New Zealand’s Felton Road, with Blair Walter.
Marchand recommended her to Dominique Lafon to oversee winemaking at his then-new Oregon consulting project, Evening Land, in 2007. Isabelle quickly became one of Oregon’s most acclaimed winemakers. Her wines were selected for the Wine Spectator Top 100 wines of the Year from 2009 through 2015, including producing the highest rated Oregon Pinot Noir and highest rated Oregon Chardonnay ever, culminating in WS recognizing her 2012 ‘La Source’ Pinot Noir as the #3 wine in the world in 2015.
For over 25 years Greg Ralston has provided valued guidance and leadership to wine producers who possess profound respect for terroir and are benchmarks in their regions. From 1988 to 2009 Greg worked closely with Jim Barrett at Chateau Montelena Winery, the last ten years as Managing Director. He then took on a role as Sr. VP of Strategic Initiatives with Wilson Daniels, collaborating with Jack Daniels and renowned Estates such as Domaine de la Romanee-Conti and Domaine Leflaive from Burgundy among others. Recruited to become President & CEO of Evening Land Vineyards in 2012, Greg oversaw related wineries in California, Burgundy and Oregon. It was during this period, working with Isabelle, that they produced some of Oregon’s most highly acclaimed Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays.
Their Lavinea wines follow the path that was first established by Evening Land but with their own unique voice. Vineyard sourcing here is top-notch as they’ve struck up some relationships with a number of Willamette ‘Grand Cru’ sites, including the grapes from today’s sensational deal. Burgundy meets Oregon? Bien sur! | | | The Lavinea Pinot Noir Temperance Hill Eola-Amity Hills 2022 was sourced from one of the most storied vineyards in Oregon first planted back in 1981 on the remnants of an ancient volcano. Back in the 1990’s it was such luminaries as Evesham Wood and St.Innocent that pioneered the site. Later, the next generation including the likes of Walter Scott, Morgen Long and Bergström have utilized this site to produce some of their greatest wines. It’s Willamette royalty.
This wine was sourced from Pommard and Clone 115 planted in 2001, native yeast fermented then barreled down in 30% new French oak before bottling without fining or filtration.
The press, as usual, has been glowing…
96 Points! Displaying a jeweled red hue, the 2022 Pinot Noir Temperance Hill Vineyard is very layered and beautiful, offering striking clarity in its notes of wild herbs, ripe raspberries, sunny but bright fruit, and fresh rosemary. On the palate, it’s medium-bodied and has wonderful balance and a harmonious feel. Highly appealing now, with a light, juicy feel throughout the palate, it’s long and elegant and is only going to improve in another few years. - Audrey Frick, jebdunnuck.com
94 Points! A Pinot with style and intensity, with a keen structure framed by detailed flavors of blueberry and raspberry that take on clove, forest floor and savory spice accents. Finishes with broad-shouldered tannins. - Wine Spectator
To wrap up, we’re offering this Pinot, original $77 retail, for only $29.98 while supplies last, which won’t be long. Hurry! | |
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