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Domaine Lumineux 2021 Pinot Noir Cuvee:
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the Producer’s website)
Varietal Composition 100% Pinot Noir
Location Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, OR
Drink Now or Cellar? Enjoy now or cellar through 2031
Accolades
Paul Gregutt – 92 Points
Sunset International Wine Competition 2024 – Silver Medal
Savor NW 2024 – 91 Points and Gold Medal
Vinous 2024 – 90 Points
NW Wine Report – 90 Points
Jeb Dunnuck – 90 Points
A Few More Details:
The 2021 Cuvée brings together a variety of Pinot Noir blocks from the 42-acre Domaine Lumineux vineyard, showcasing the full spectrum of the estate. Heavy rains in the early summer of 2021 impacted pollination in the vineyard and resulted in a very light fruit crop. This was followed by record setting heat and extreme dry conditions throughout the summer, which proved to be beneficial for optimal grape ripening. The combination of low yield and ample warmth produced wines of exceptional balance, intensity, and grace in the Willamette Valley. This ideal harvest yielded outstanding Pinot Noir fruit that came together harmoniously in this blend.
Tasting Notes from the Winemaker
A select blend of our distinct pinot noir clones, the 2021 Cuvée is a multidimensional, harmonious, expression of the Domaine Lumineux Dundee Hills vineyard. This wine exhibits opulent aromas of spice, featuring hints of anise, nutmeg, and earthy forest floor. The savory palate is accompanied by concentrated red fruit notes, intermingled with dried fig. The 2021 Cuvée boasts a complex structure, with intriguing notes of black pepper lending an alluring mouthfeel and a prolonged finish.
Food Pairing
- Roast Turkey or Chicken: The wine’s bright acidity complements the savory flavors of roasted poultry.
- Mushroom Dishes: Earthy flavors in dishes like mushroom risotto or grilled portobellos enhance the wine’s subtle earthiness.
- Salmon: The wine’s acidity and fruitiness balance the richness of salmon, whether grilled or roasted.
- Pork Tenderloin: The wine’s acidity balances the richness of pork dishes.
- Soft Cheeses: Pairing with cheeses like Brie or Camembert complements the wine’s fruitiness.
From them to you:
Established in 2019 and owned by Francis Ford Coppola, Domaine Lumineux celebrates the harmonious relationship between nature and science, reflecting an ongoing commitment to meticulous observation, attention to detail, and the pursuit of the extraordinary. Our award-winning wines are made exclusively from fruit grown on our 42-acre, LIVE certified sustainable vineyard that rests atop the renowned Dundee Hills of Oregon’s Willamette Valley.
Source: https://domainelumineux.com/
Ken Wright Cellars Chardonnay 2023:
(Carefully curated notes below are taken from the Producer’s website)
Varietal Composition Chardonnay
Location Willamette Valley, OR
Drink Now or Cellar? Drink now or cellar until 2030
A Few More Details:
Vintage: 2023 was a banner year for us. We had very good crop levels, plenty of heat to ripen properly and had a long season with extended hang time. The weather was very mild, avoiding extremes of cold or heat. There were no frost scares at the start of the season and only two days at 100 degrees in the entire growing season. All great wine is about balance. This year the beautiful array of aromatics, plush texture and the frame of acidity are seriously compelling. Farming: Certified Organic farming is our baseline.
Tasting Notes from the Producer:
Juicy white peach, green apple and fresh asian pear are surrounded by complex notes of honey, vanilla bean and hints of butterscotch. A mouth filling palate, backed with vibrant acidity that carries through to a long finish.
Food Pairing
- Seafood: Grilled or roasted fish, such as halibut or sea bass, align well with the wine’s fruitiness and acidity.
- Poultry: Roast chicken or turkey, especially when prepared with herbs, complements the wine’s flavor profile.
- Pasta with Cream Sauce: Dishes like fettuccine Alfredo or carbonara harmonize with the wine’s creamy notes.
- Soft Cheeses: Brie, Camembert, or Havarti enhance the wine’s honey and vanilla nuances.
- Mushroom Dishes: Sautéed mushrooms or mushroom risotto pair well, highlighting the wine’s subtle earthiness.
From them to you:
47 years of wine making have taught a simple truth: Source is everything. Two main geological events are responsible for the formation of our region. The collision of the Juan de Fuca Plate and the North American continent resulted in the shearing off of soft sediments from the ocean floor. The plate is still sub-ducting to this day. Eons of weather and pressure have compacted those soft sediments, creating the sandstone and siltstone parent material which lies below most of the Willamette Valley. The Yamhill-Carlton AVA is comprised of these ancient marine sediments. The second key geological event is the Columbia River Basalt Flow, the largest flow of lava on planet earth. Originating from an active volcanic chain in eastern Oregon, this lava flow covered the northern Willamette Valley 15 million years ago. Vestiges of this mantle still remain and are represented by areas such as the Dundee AVA and Eola-Amity Hills AVA whose mother rock is a thick layer of fractured basalt, cooled lava, beginning 5-10 feet below the surface.
West Seattle Wine Cellars 