Lorelle Pinot Noir
WHY WE LOVE IT
- The fruit for this bottling comes from several vineyards in Willamette Valley, including two of their sustainably farmed sites: Laurel and Settler’s Hill.
- Laurel vineyard is high elevation in the Chehalem Mountains and is a cool climate site.
- Settler’s Hill, in Salem, is in the mid valley and is low elevation, hot, and produces intense Pinot Noir.
- The vineyards used in this wine differ in soil types, elevation, and clones providing a balanced portrait of the Willamette Valley.
- Depending on the year, the Albin’s will round out the Pinot Noir with vineyards that they like to work closely with.
- One of those vineyards is planted at Goschie Farms. Located in Silverton, Oregon, it is owned and operated by Gayle Goschie. She is a third generation hop farmer who was talked into grape growing by John while he was working at King Estate. She is a terrific farmer and produces intense valley floor Pinot Noir, predominantly Pommard clone.
- Another vineyard used is the Jesse Estate Vineyard, which is located at the base of the Chehalem Mountains.
- It is a really unique site that produces bright and vibrant Pinot Noir. Alan Jesse is wonderful farmer who we enjoy working with.
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Elaboration: All of the fruit for this wine is hand picked. The fruit is fermented in small 1.5 Ton vessels. Assmanhausen yeast is typically used, as it brings a bright black-pepper note to the wine and expresses the fruit in a way that is unmatched by other strains. The wine is aged in French oak up until bottling.
Tasting Notes: Aromas of blueberry preserves and oak spice. Flavors of chocolate covered cherries are balanced nicely with medium tannins and a lingering finish.
PRESS
n/a
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
Lorrelle is produced from a small, family owned and operated winery. Better known as the people behind Six Peaks Winery, founders, John and Lynn Albin (UC Davis), along with their son, Andrew Albin (OSU), work together to produce Lorelle, which are both true to variety and excellent companions with food.
After a long stint as winemaker at King Estate, John planted his own vines at Laurel Vineyard in 1981. Nearly a decade later they expanded from viticulture to winemaking. Throughout John’s long winemaking history in the Pacific Northwest, he has had many opportunities to work with and befriend many talented farmers. These relationships are part of what makes Lorelle so special. They not only meticulously tend to their own vineyards for this project, but they also source some of the best fruit from the best growers year after year to make wines that are consistently delicious.