Fall 2008
Fall Greetings ~When you first expressed interest in Lachini Vineyards, we pledged to maintain our rigorous standards for quality and keep you informed of our progress. To that end, we would like to share with you an undertaking resulting from the growth we’ve experienced since creating our winegrowing estate.
It is with great pleasure that we introduce the L’VIP and L’CONNOISSEUR wine clubs. These new clubs are intended to thank you - our “best customers”! We’ve had many requests over the last several years that we consider initiating a wine club. We’ve listened intently, deliberated often, but patiently awaited the release of new wines and the construction of our Estate winery. We agree that it’s important for us to differentiate and reward you for being our best customers as part of our extended family in wine. Over the next year, we will transition from our extensive mailing list toward our two new clubs in addition to the mailing list. Going forward, club members will have priority access to our limited production wines while mailing list members will only have access if still available. The L’VIP club will be limited to 100 members and will have exclusive benefits. It will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Only 300 invitations will be mailed separately over the next several months. If you’re new to our mailing list and are interested in this club (minimum purchase of two cases/year), please call or email Ron at 503.864.4553 / ron@lachinivineyards.com for more information. A few of the perks for each of these new clubs: discounts on purchases, free admission to our events, special & limited- production wines (e.g. Estate Chardonnay, Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir – Windy Hill, Red Mountain & Walla Walla, WA Cabernet-based wines, Pinot Port plus others yet to be announced), guest celebrity-chef dinners and other special functions, personalized large format bottles, etc. We hope you will consider joining one and welcome your questions.
Marianne & I are delighted to offer the 2007 ‘S’ Pinot Noir from a classically-styled vintage that shows remarkable similarity to the traditional wines from Burgundy. The best of the 2007 Pinot Noirs from Oregon will be quite balanced and have excellent acidity to carry them forward 10+ years. In our opinion, 2007 yielded a welcome relief to some of the recent warm weather vintages that have provided very opulent wines which have been provided for immediate drinking pleasure. Vigneron’s with experience and patience coupled with fine terroirs and rigorous viticultural practices (we happen to be partial to our Wilakenzie series soils consisting of sandy, silty loam over broken basalt) in balance with old-fashioned experience in the winery – saignée (or bleeding off), cold-fermentation, native yeasts have produced beautiful wines of finesse, balance and complexity.
The 2007 Lachini Vineyard ‘S’ Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountain 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, “The ’07 ‘S’ offers a elegant nose with terrific mid-palate depth and softer tannins than the last several vintages. It should age quite well.” 445 cases
Alcohol – 13.6% | pH – 3.5 | Harvested began on September 29th and concluded on October 14th, 2007
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 2007 ‘S’ was typically harvested a week later throughout our Estate blocks than our 2007 Estate Pinot Noir. Our most classically crafted ‘S’ to date; it reveals bright fruit with floral and mushroom undertones on the nose and a touch of toasted oak. Ruby color with well-focused layers of Bing cherries, wild blackberries and bright acidity. The finish is quite lengthy (30+ seconds) with silky with soft, integrated tannins and flavors of anise.
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, May/June 2008 – ’06 ‘S’ Pinot Noir 88 POINTS
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, May/June 2007 – ’05 ‘S’ Pinot Noir 90 POINTS
Wine Enthusiast, February 2007 – ’04 Lachini Pinot Noir ‘S’, Willamette Valley 90 POINTS Editors’ Choice
Burghound, October 2006 – ’04 Lachini Pinot Noir ‘S’, Willamette Valley 90 POINTS
FUTURES (pre-release pricing) ~ 2006 La Bestia, 100% Cabernet Sauvignon (Puro Sangue) (150 cases) and 2006 il Mulinello, a Bordeaux-inspired Red ‘blend’ wine comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah (330 cases). Once again, we contracted fruit from Klipsun Vineyard’s oldest block of Cabernet Sauvignon (planted in 1984) along with the 1990 Merlot block – indisputably one of Washington’s top vineyards in WA’s top rated vintage to date from Washington’s heralded Red Mountain AVA! We waited patiently to pick and were rewarded with wines of massive extraction and high-octane, ripe fruit. They’ve just been bottled and put to rest until their release in May 2009. The final blend for the Mulinello (Italian for ‘swirl’) included a little fruit from Ciel du Cheval and Hedges vineyards. We are offering to you as pre-release prices with a 20% discount off the projected release price of $48/bottle. It seems premature to offer tasting notes, but rest assured, these are spectacular wines with rich concentration, mid-palate depth, offering lengthy finishes with tell-tale Klipsun tannins making for very age-worthy wines. Both reveal interesting chocolate and caramel notes on the nose.
The Wine Spectator, Dec. 15, 2008 - Lachini Cabernet Sauvigon Red Mountain Klipsun Vineyard La Bestia 2005 91 POINTS
Firm in texture, but the tannins have a light touch around a lively core of raspberry, black cherry and dusky spice flavors, hinting at espresso as the finish lingers enticingly. This is flavorsome and long. Drink now through 2015. 130 cases made. – Harvey Steinman
Our 2007 Pinot Port, Willamette Valley is dessert-style wine crafted with ripe Pinot Noir from our Estate’s Pommard block. When the sugar level falls roughly by half, we add artisan-made eau-de-vie to kill the native yeast and stop fermentation. It is wonderfully aromatic, very rich and smooth, truly a remarkable wine. It is It has been a favorite of guests attending our winemaker dinners around the country. Don’t miss out! 20% Alc. only 49 cases (375ml)
We have a limited amount of 2006 Cuvee Giselle and Estate Pinot Noirs available (including 1.5L magnums) for those of you who missed our May release or need a little more! The Wine Spectator rates the 2006 OR vintage ~ 91 NYR Ripe flavors, but fruit character tastes fresh, not dried. The following reviews have been updated from our Spring mailer.
2006 Lachini Cuvée Giselle Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley is a selection of the finest twelve barrels from our entire Estate and the 2006 consisted of 70% Dijon clones, 10% Wadenswil, 10% La Tache and the balance from our Pommard blocks. This reserve bottling is a reflection of the independence and beauty of our daughter, Giselle and is a wine for the ages. 290 cases produced
Alcohol – 14.4% | pH – 3.65 | Harvest began on September 24th and concluded on October 3rd, 2006
Aged for 12 months in 100% French Oak barrels (60% new and 40% one-year old)
Dark in color, the nose explodes with an opulent bouquet of wild blackberries, cola, truffle, and toasty oak which immediately fills the senses. Rich and concentrated, it is accentuated by layers of silky ripe cherries, pomegranate, cassis, crème brûlée and exotic spice notes – ultimately, opening up after 30-60 minutes of decanting to reveal additional notes of violets, smoked bacon and black cherries. The essence of the back palate and finish is a sweet, mouthcoating intensity that continues on and on with nicely integrated tannins. This is a wonderfully textured wine with great acid balance that should give this youthful Pinot Noir life for many years to come.
The Wine Spectator, Dec. 31, 2007 – ‘05 Cuvée Giselle Pinot Noir 92 Points
The Wine Spectator, Dec. 31, 2006 – ‘04 Cuvée Giselle Pinot Noir 90 Points
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, May/June 2008 – ’06 Cuvée Giselle Pinot Noir 90 Points
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, May/June 2006 – ‘04 Cuvée Giselle Pinot Noir 90 Points
Wine Enthusiast, Feb. 2007 – ‘04 Cuvée Giselle Pinot Noir 90 Points
2006 Lachini Family Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Once again, Laurent crafts an opulent, hedonistic blend from our three Estate blocks; each contributing unique expressions of their respective clones as well as the subtle differences from our loamy, Willakenzie soils. A wine for the discerning Pinot / Burgundy fan, this Estate bottling is so beautiful and sexy now that it will be hard to resist. Hand crafted, in a traditional, classically balanced style from 100% Estate fruit at the footstep of the Chehalem Mountains. 1540 cases produced
Alcohol – 14.3% | pH – 3.68 | Harvest began on September 24th and concluded on October 3rd, 2006
34% Pommard clone, 36% Dijon clones 667, 777, 113-115, 18% La Tache/828 and 12% Wadensvil from our Estate’s East, Middle & West Blocks. Aged for 12 months in 100% French Oak barrels (30% new and 70% one & two year old)
Intense and profound, the aromas are fragranced with gobs of sweet black cherries and blackberries, ultimately intermingling dusty and subtle forest floor nuances. The nose is rounded out with mocha, white pepper, briar and floral aromas. Enjoyable now due to the opulent, ripe bold flavors that reveal layers of nuances and freshness from the lovely, balanced acidity. This full-bodied Pinot will also reward cellaring due to it’s dense tannins. It resonates on the palate with a finish lasting 30+ seconds. Age 3-15+ years.
The Wine Spectator, Dec. 15, 2008 – ‘06 Estate Pinot Noir 91 Points –“Flavors of plum, cardamom and cream hover delicately around a crisp, tight frame, lingering expressively on the open-textured finish against polished tannins in this stylish, graceful Pinot. Drink now through 2016.” H.S.
The Wine Advocate, 10/30/08 – ‘06 Estate Pinot Noir 90+ Points
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, May/June 2008 – ‘06 Estate Pinot Noir 90 Points
SHIPPING: To secure your desired wines, please fax or mail us your order along with payment in full (including shipping) at your earliest convenience. Orders should be received no later than Dec. 15, 2008 to be shipped before the holiday. Otherwise, your wines will be shipped in January (weather permitting). Additionally, to receive the FUTURES (pre-release, discount pricing) on the 2006 La Bestia & il Mulinello new wines, we must receive your order by Dec. 31st, 2008. You will need to pick up your FUTURES at one of our open house events in May or indicate and include payment for shipping (see our ORDER FORM FOR RATES. Orders quantities of either 6 or 12 bottles – we will split orders of 3 bottles of each wine. 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 2nd- - 3rd weeks in December. If you live in a PROHIBITED state, you will need to provide an acceptable alternative shipping address (please see our ORDER FORM).
For the last ten years, we’ve watched the Willamette Valley and wine industry in general continue to evolve and undergo it’s next dramatic evolution; moving from a farming culture only two to three decades ago into an increasing complex and sophisticated viticultural/destination phenomenon sparked by skyrocketing consumer interest! Not only are we evolving the quality of our wines and our commitment toward sustainable farming through our biodynamic practices, but conscientiously improving upon every aspect of our family winery operation. Our passion continues to deepen and we are forever grateful for those of you who’ve discovered our wines and afforded us to live our dream toward growing and crafting world-class Pinot Noirs!
We hope this letter finds you enjoying what really matters most to you, while keeping in perspective the recent noise that has caused more anxiety than necessary. We’d certainly suggest sipping a fine glass of Pinot Noir, such as ours to lift your spirits! We leave you with this toast for the holidays – Give me a glass that I may see, the splendid Sauvignon in thee, The Riesling grape within your eyes, Your Chardonnay and Pinot skies. Give me a glass that I may see, beyond sweet mediocrity… Unknown
Saluté and God bless!
Marianne, Ron, August, Gianluca and Giselle Lachini
