Fall 2007
Buon giorno amici (friends),
Greetings from Oregon’s North Willamette Valley! We’ve just begun our seventh harvest and all is “crazy-busy” as you might imagine. Marianne & I are delighted to offer the first of our Pinot Noir’s from the exceptional 2006 vintage! Who said cool summers and wet harvests are the norm in Oregon? The vintage has tremendous opulence similar to the ripe vintages from 2002-2004. The growing season enjoyed an uneventful start with a normal bud-break followed by an optimal bloom and ripened nonchalantly over a dry summer with virtually no disease pressure. As we approached harvest in September, and the vines began to shut down, they enjoyed more mild daytime temperatures and cooler nights which allowed more hang time of the fruit - ultimately allowing the grape clusters physiological maturity to catch up to their high sugars. Mother Nature in concert with meticulous viticulture practices gave us powerful wines that can be enjoyed both young and over the long-term. In our opinion, the 2006 vintage will best be remembered as one of the most forward vintages in the past decade; wonderfully perfumed, revealing great purity, depth and complexity. A vintage for fans of big, ripe Pinots!
Simply put, our 2006 Lachini Vineyards ‘S’ and ‘Ana Vineyard’ Pinot Noirs are wonderful; each revealing focused fruit and the expressive weight of the vintage. We are also delighted to offer two inaugural releases: 2006 vintage’s ripeness prompted us to make a delicious Port-styled wine from Pinot Noir, while 2005 brought our first Cabernet-based wines from the heralded Klipsun Vineyard in Washington’s Red Mountain AVA. A final bit of good news, we held back a limited amount of 2005 Lachini Estate Pinot Noir (incl. 1.5L magnums) if you missed our May release. In fairness, due to the small production of these wines we will honor orders on a first-come, first-served basis.
The 2006 Lachini Vineyard ‘S’ Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley or la Sorella della famiglia (‘sister’ to our Family Estate Pinot Noir) is crafted by Peter Rosback of Sineann for Lachini Vineyards with 100% Estate fruit from our Estate vineyard. To quote Peter, “This ‘S’ is rockin’ and is the best I’ve made since we began with the 2002 vintage, period.” 445 cases produced
Alcohol – 14.5% | pH – 3.65 | Harvested began on September 29th and concluded on October 3rd, 2006
50% Pommard + 50% Dijon clones from our East, Middle & West Blocks | Aged 12 months in 100% French Oak barrels (50% new & 50% one-year old)
The 2006 ‘S’ was harvested between one to one and a half weeks later than our 2006 Estate Pinot Noir. Our most full-throttled, fruit-forward Pinot to date; it is richly extracted and offers concentrated heady aromas of ripe black cherries and a touch of toasted oak. Deep saturated ruby color with well-focused layers of wild blackberries, dark cherries and brambleberries. Finishes lively, with jammy tones and spice over a long, savory finish of 40+ seconds!
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, May/June 2007 – ’05 ‘S’ Pinot Noir…“Medium red. Bright nose features fresh raspberry and candied cherry aromas accented by fresh rose and minerals. Pure, refreshing red berry flavors are nicely framed by light, dusty tannins. This impressively long midweight finishes suave and sappy, with sexy oak spices and raspberry.” 90 POINTS
Wine Enthusiast, February 2007 – ’04 Lachini Pinot Noir ‘S’, Willamette Valley 90 POINTS Editors’ Choice
Lachini’s S is a remarkable wine, broad and lush, heavily extracted, and plump with ripe strawberry fruit. Succulent, thick and chocolaty, it supports its ripe power with underpinnings of tart acid, a combination of voluptuous fruit and sappy acid that really keeps the palate fresh and waiting for the next sip.
Burghound, October 2006 – ’04 Lachini Pinot Noir ‘S’, Willamette Valley 90 POINTS A reserved and somewhat somber nose of briar, earth, game and a complex mix of red and blue pinot fruit aromas merges into solidly structured, firm and sweet full-bodied flavors that are impressively concentrated and deliver fine length. This is clearly built to age and should repay the patience to do so as it's presently youthfully austere and backward. MATURITY 2010+
The 2006 Lachini ‘Ana Vineyard’ Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills is an exceptional Pinot Noir from 28 year old Pommard clones. The Ana vineyard is located in the bowl off of Worden Hill Rd. in the Dundee Hills AVA where it lies adjacent to Arcus, Goldschmidt and Weber vineyards. It was purchased a few years ago by vineyard manager extraordinaire Andy Humphrey. This is the most feminine of our Pinot’s; it is at once delicate, yet entrances one to it’s finesse, elegance and complexity as a result of a mature and healthy vineyard, coupled with low yields (2.05 tons/acre) and years of experience with the site. 247 cases produced
Alcohol – 14.4% | pH – 3.56 | Harvested on October 5th, 2006 | Aged for 12 months in 100% French Oak barrels (30% new and 70% one-year old)
Enters with a seductive, understated nose of Bing cherries, gorgeous white truffles and rose petals. Ruby color, it is a delicious, full-bodied Pinot noir with loads of sweet, bright fruit and subtle cinnamon flavors. Shows several layers, finishing with a touch of exotic spices followed by lovely soft palate underpinned by long, fine-grained tannins. It is already subtle and approachable, yet will benefit from cellaring 3-8 years.”
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, May/June 2007 – ’05 Lachini Pinot Noir, Ana Vineyard…“Bright red. Vibrant redcurrant and pomegranate on the nose, with a sweeter strawberry note emerging with aeration. Crisp red berry flavors are nicely focused and impressively pure, with a bright mineral tone adding energy and lift. Finishes clean, brisk and persistent.” 89 POINTS
The Wine Spectator, May 15, 2006 – ‘04 Lachini Dundee Hills, Ana Vineyard Pinot Noir “Firm and focused, with a spicy cinnamon edge to the solid blackberry, currant and mineral flavors, lingering on the slightly chewy finish. Needs time to soften. Best from 2008 through 2014.” – H.S. 90 POINTS
INAUGURAL RELEASES ~
2005 La Bestia, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (Puro Sangue) and 2005 IL Mulinello, an International-styled Red ‘blend’ wine comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot. Both wines are from the Klipsun Vineyard in Washington’s heralded Red Mountain AVA (only 150 cases of each!). We were ecstatic of the opportunity to work with arguably one of this state’s top vineyards and sourced fruit from Klipsun’s oldest block of Cabernet Sauvignon (planted in 1984) along with the 1990 Merlot block. We waited patiently to pick, several times joking that we’d pick the same day or one day later than our adjoining neighbor’s rows (none-other than Quilceda Creek). Our patience and good fortune was rewarded with one of Washington’s finest vintages which yielded massive, extracted, high-octane reds that we’ve still in barrel after 24 months! Final blending is slated for early November. We are offering to you as pre-release prices with a 10% discount off the release price of $45/bottle. I find it premature to offer tasting notes, but rest assured, these will be spectacular wines with rich concentration, mid-palate depth, offering lengthy finishes with tell-tale Klipsun tannins making for very age-worthy wines.
Our 2006 Pinot Port, Willamette Valley is dessert-style wine crafted by using very ripe Pinot Noir and an artisan made eau-de-vie. It is wonderfully aromatic, very rich and smooth, truly a remarkable wine. This one will warm up the heart of your honey before Valentines Day! 20% Alc. only 49 cases (375ml)
2005 Lachini Family Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley is a beautiful blend from our three Estate blocks, each contributing unique expressions of their respective clones as well as subtle Willakenzie series soils differences. This is a wine for the discerning Pinot / Burgundy fan and will reward patience. The Estate Pinot Noir has now been in the bottle for over one year and is coming around nicely; yet still very youthful. 1099 cases produced
Alcohol – 14.3% | pH – 3.84 | Harvest began on October 6th and concluded on October 13, 2005
53% Pommard clone, 26% Dijon clone 777, 17% Dijon clones 667, 113-115 and 4% Wadensvil from our Estate’s East, Middle and West Blocks.
Aged for 12 months in 100% French Oak barrels (25% new and 75% one-year old)
Complex from the first sniff, where aromas of mushroom, chocolate and cola meld with hints of wild herbs, minerals and underbrush – all supporting gobs of ripe black cherries and raspberries. This is a bold Pinot with full-bodied fruit that will reward patience to bring around the underlying acidity and tannins. It resonates on the palate and lasts on the finish. We suggest decanting for a minimum of 30 minutes in its youth or cellaring for3-5 years for increased nuances. We believe the 2005 Estate will age well for 5-15+ years.
Wine Enthusiast, February 2007 – ‘04 Estate Pinot Noir 91PTS (Cellar Selection) Quite young and tight, with snappy flavors of bright raspberry and pomegranate. Sharp, etched, almost laser-like in clarity, this beautifully structured and focused effort opens into aromas of wild berry, gravel and earth. Definitely a wine to put away for a few years.
Due to the limited supply of this release, we’ll be open over the Thanksgiving weekend only. Please join us at the vineyard ~ 18225 Calkins Lane, Newberg (FRI & SAT ONLY, 10:00AM-5:00PM). We’ll be pouring the ’05 Estate, ’06 Ana Vineyard and ‘S’ Pinot Noirs; inaugural release of ’05 Klipsun Cab (La Bestia) and Bordeaux-inspired red-blend (Il Mulinello); ’06 Pinot Port along with futures of ’06 LV Family Estate Pinot Noir. We’ll also have a limited number of large format bottles. We look forward to visiting with you!
SHIPPING: To secure your desired wines, please mail us your order along with payment in full (including shipping) at your earliest convenience. Orders should be received no later than November 30, 2007 to receive pre-release discount pricing on the new wines. We cannot guarantee wines will still be available up to the deadline. Your order will be confirmed by deposit of your check or processing of your credit card payment. We will enclose your receipt in your shipment due to ship the 1st & 2nd weeks in December (weather permitting). If you live in a PROHIBITED state (see our ORDER FORM), you will need to provide an acceptable alternative shipping address. Several reputable options for special storage/shipping include: 55 DEGREES which provides temperature controlled wine storage in St. Helena, CA – inquiries should be directed to Neil Aldoroty, Owner at 707.963.5513 or www.fiftyfivedegrees.com; and New Vine Logistics in American Canyon 707.226.9400.
IMPORTANT: Those who purchased futures over the Memorial Weekend 2007 – your futures of 2006 Ana Vineyard Pinot Noir available in wooden 6-pack boxes for pick up at the vineyard in November on Fri 11/23 & Sat 11/24. If you are unable to pick up your wine on these dates, please contact the winery for shipping and payment (see our ORDER FORM FOR RATES).
NEWS: Introducing L’VIP and L’CONNOISSEUR wine clubs. We’ll be offering two new wine clubs in the coming year; L’VIP will be limited to 100 members and will have exclusive benefits. || We’re at it again! In the coming weeks we’ll be planting two additional acres of Pinot Noir (Dijon clones) plus ½ acre of Chardonnay (our first foray into a white varietal!). || There’s dirt a’movin – as soon as Spring breaks, so do we break ground with our winery construction.
We are so grateful to those who have supported us in the past and for allowing us to share experiences over another tremendous year! We’re thrilled to be living our dream and giving back to our / your community through various charitable venues! Similarly, having a family-run winery affords us the luxury of taking the long-term view and ‘doing the right thing’. We believe it is important to give back to the vineyard and allow the earth time to nurture itself. We continue our transition toward more rigorous Biodynamic principles and farming practices. We believe our stewardship along with the choices we make now will impact the long-term quality of our wines and guide the future success of our children.
We leave you with this toast for the holidays – “If all be true that I do think, there are five reasons we should drink. Good friends, good times, or being dry, or lest we should be by and by, or any other reason why.” Unknown
Saluté!
Marianne, Ron, August, Gianluca and Giselle Lachini
