2005 TASTING NOTES
| The Wine Spectator rated the 2005 vintage ~ 90-95 Drink or hold Well-balanced wines; limited yields |
2005 Lachini Vineyards Cuvée Giselle Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
A selection of the finest eight barrels of our entire production and in 2005 was. A reflection of the independence and beauty of our daughter, Giselle – essentially our ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir.
Wine type - 100% Pinot Noir, Estate Vineyard
Release date - May 14, 2007
Alcohol - 14.4%
pH - 3.71
Harvest began on October 6th and concluded on October 13th, 2005
Comprised of 86% Dijon clones from our Estate Middle Blocks with the balance of 14% from our Pommard block.
Aged for 12 months in 100% French Oak barrels (75% new and 25% one-year old)
Total case production (12-bottle case equivalents) – 193
U.S. suggested retail bottle price - $60.00/750 ml
Winemaker: Laurent Montalieu
TASTING NOTES
Deep ruby in color, it enters with forest floor, mushrooms and a complex mineral nose – ultimately, opening up after 30-60 minutes of decanting to reveal notes of violets, smoked bacon, cassis and black cherries. On the mouth, a highly concentrated, full-bodied Pinot with loads of structured pomegranate fruit and subtle cinnamon flavors. Reveals several layers on the mid-palate; finishing with complex exotic spice notes into a bold and lingering finish. Will benefit cellaring 3-15 years.
REVIEWS
The Wine Spectator, Dec. 15, 2007 – ‘05 Cuvée Giselle Pinot Noir 92 POINTS
Firm in texture, with remarkably open feel that allows the freewheeling plum and currant fruit and creamy, spicy overtones to sail unhindered over fine-grained tannins. A toasty oak component remains in the background, adding depth. Drink now through 2015. 193 cases made. – HS
2005 Lachini Vineyards Estate Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Wine type - 100% Pinot Noir, Estate Vineyard
Release date - May 14, 2007
Alcohol - 14.3%
pH - 3.84
Harvest began on October 6th and concluded on October 13th, 2005
53% Pommard clone, 26% Dijon clone 777, 17% Dijon clones 667, 113-115 and Wadensvil from our Estate
Vineyard’s from East, Middle and West Blocks
Aged for 12 months in 100% French Oak barrels (25% new and 75% one & two-year old)
Total case production (12-bottle case equivalents) - 1140
U.S. suggested retail bottle price - $42.00/750 ml
Winemaker: Laurent Montalieu
TASTING NOTES
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.
2005 Lachini Vineyards Pinot Noir ‘S’, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Wine type - 100% Pinot Noir, Estate Vineyard
Release date - May 21st, 2007
Alcohol – 13.8%
pH – 3.65
Harvest began on October 6th and concluded on October 13, 2005
50% Pommard clones + 50% Dijon clones from East, Middle and West Blocks
Aged for 12 months in 100% French Oak barrels (50% new and 50% one-year old)
Total case production (12-bottle case equivalents) – 294
U.S. suggested retail bottle price - $42.00/750 ml
Winemaker: Peter Rosback
The ‘S’ (la Sorella della famiglia) is the sister wine to our Estate Pinot Noir, as made by Peter Rosback of Sineann with 100% Estate pinot noir. The style is more lush and ‘fruit-forward’ as a result of having been harvested between 1.5-2 weeks later than our 2005 Lachini Family Estate Pinot Noir. The ‘S’ is comprised from the same blocks and clones as the Estate Pinot Noir.
TASTING NOTES
Richly extracted and young, the ‘S’ 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 spicy and jammy tones and a lengthy finish. It should benefit from short-term cellaring and age for 2-7 years. We suggest decanting for 30 minutes in its youth or cellaring for increased nuances. Fans have been known to refer to the ‘S’ as the ’sexy’ bombshell Pinot.
Stephen Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, May/June 2007 – 2005 Lachini Vineyards ‘S’ Pinot Noir 90 POINTS
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.
Burghound, October 2007 – 2005 Lachini Vineyards ‘S’ Pinot Noir 90 POINTS
A pepper and spice red and blue fruit nose nuanced by violets and a hint of earth where this latter element can also be found on the round, supple, complex and stylish flavors that offer real depth of material and admirable length on the dusty and moderately tannic finish. The tannins are certainly present but ripe so that they appear well integrated. A serious wine that will require time though with the right foods,it could be approached now.. Maturity 2010+
2005 Lachini Vineyards Pinot Noir ‘Ana Vineyard’, Dundee Hills, Oregon
Wine Type – 100% Pinot Noir
Release Date – November 24th, 2006
Alcohol – 13.4%
pH – 3.60
Harvested on October 5th, 2005
100% own-rooted Pommard clones (27 years of age)
Aged for 12 months in 100% French Oak barrels (50% new and 50% one-year old)
Total case production (12-bottle case equivalents) – 260
U.S. suggested retail bottle price - $42.00/750 ml
Winemaker: Laurent Montalieu
From an exceptional site on the Dundee Hills, adjacent to the Arcus Vineyard. The 27-year old, own-rooted Pommard clones from our 2-acre block are cropped to under 2 tons/acre. The Ana Vineyard Pinot Noir is the most approachable of our Pinot’s in its youth, yet offers finesse and complexity as a result of a mature and healthy vineyard, low yields and years of experience with the site.
TASTING NOTES
Enters with bright fruit notes and a hint of foresty mushrooms in the nose. Ruby color, it is a delicious, full-bodied Pinot noir with loads of sweet Bing cherry fruit and subtle cinnamon flavors. Shows several layers, finishing with a hint of minerality 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.”
2005 Lachini Vineyards Pinot Gris, Oregon
Wine type - 100% Pinot Gris
Release date - May 15, 2006
Alcohol - 13.6%
pH - 3.54
Blended from Del Rio, Quail Run, Croft and Guadalupe vineyards ~ spanning 3 different AVA's in Oregon (Rogue, Willamette and Yamhill)
Aged 9 months entirely in stainless tank.
Total case production (12-bottle case equivalents) - 133
U.S. suggested retail bottle price - $18.00/750 ml
Winemaker: Laurent Montalieu
The Wine Enthusiast, February 2007 – Lachini 2005 Pinot Gris (Oregon) 90 POINTS
Here's a very seductive Pinot Gris, done in the soft, plush style that Oregon is best at. Smooth and supple, it's got a good mix of apple and pear, the flavors suggesting spicy tart more than fresh cut fruit. Excellent definition and pure pleasure in the mouth. P.G. $19
The San Francisco Chronicle, Dec. 2006 – Lachini 2005 Pinot Gris (Oregon) 4 STARS / TOP 100 WINES OF 2006!
Rich, ripe and almost unctuous, it has lovely white peach, pear and mineral character on a fine-textured palate. It's full-bodied, the antithesis of Italian wines made from the same grape.
2005 VINTAGE
Vintage 2005 can be exemplified in many ways as Mother Nature yielding a ‘tough love’ growing season. Could it be that somewhere in the midst of adversity something really good or even great might emerge? In our opinion, 2005 began and ended as a challenging vintage – and yet one of which we are extremely fortunate and proud. The growing season got off to a stressful start with a less than perfect bloom and yet through the dry summer all appeared well. Next rodents (vols) attacked some vineyards while those escaping were equally threatened by bird damage. September brought mild daytime temperatures and chilly nights followed by the first rain on September 30th. Those who exercised patience, while observing the color of the canopy change, were rewarded with grapes showing phenolic maturity and ultimately giving wines of great balance, purity and presence. Sugars were more modest in comparison to ’02- ’04, revealing what some have labeled a more classical vintage. Perhaps the 2005 vintage can be best described as a combination of the racy 1999 and the opulent 2004 vintages with many wines in barrel showing great balance, complexity, depth and elegance.
