Le Cadeau was first introduced to me roughly a decade ago when I was on a trip to Minnesota of all places. They produced some killer Pinots in 2002 and a more challenging vintage, 2003. One thing that I have noticed over the past ten years of trying these wines is the Burgundian feel, as the Pinots typically display lovely mushroom and forest floor characteristics, even in hot vintages. There are some really lovely earthy characters to this wine – especially in cooler vintages such as 2007 and 2011. Le Cadeau has a second label, Aubichon, which produces equally impressive wines.
The Le Cadeau Vineyard is set on a 28-acre parcel on the south slope of Parrett Mountain which is near Newberg in the Dundee Hills. The land was previously overgrown with poison oak, wild berries, and scrub oak before being removed. This 14-acre, high-elevation (610’ – 725’), vineyard was developed to only provide estate Pinot Noir for Le Cadeau. The volcanic soils of the estate vineyard provide excellent drainage for the sometimes rainy conditions. There is a wide variety of Pinot Noir clones planted in the vineyard, including Dijon, Heritage (Heirloom), Pommard, and Mariafeld. Winemaker Jim Sanders continues to produce with exceptional, Burgundian bottlings. Look for their absolutely awesome sparkling wine made by winemaker Steve Ryan, their 2011 ‘Blanc De Noir’ (WWB, 92) which is bone dry and has incredible terroir and lovely astringency. One of the best Pinot Gris wines that I have sampled in the past year is their 2015 Aubichon ‘Reserve’ Pinot Gris (WWB, 92) which shows tremendous depth and richness, showing off this hot vintage. Not to be missed is the 2014 Le Cadeau 'Merci Reserve' Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) which is a stunner of a Pinot, showing off warm dark fruit flavors and lively minerality. Learn more about these awesome wines at http://www.lecadeauvineyard.com/ Here are the awesome new wines from Le Cadeau and Aubichon.
2011 Le Cadeau ‘Blanc De Noir’ Sparkling Wine- Made by winemaker Steve Ryan, this has no dosage, and was disgorged in July 2016. The wine begins with bright aromas of Granny Smith apple, nutmeg, green papaya and hints of biscuit. There are flavors of unripe pear, Gravenstein apple and hints of green papaya. Extremely dry and astringent, this needs a hot summer day. Only 175 cases produced. Drink 2016-2021- 90
2015 Aubichon Pinot Gris- This wine opens with aromatics of bright pear, starfruit and Gala apple. There are flavors of starfruit, vanilla cream, Pink Lady apple and nice minerality considering the heat of the vintage. Drink 2016-2021- 89
2015 Aubichon Rose- This is done with Pinot Gris. There are aromas of strawberry, unripe pear and hints of nutmeg. There are flavors of Pazzaz apple, with strawberry, and guava. This is really perfect for a hot summer day. Drink 2016-2020- 89
2014 Aubichon ‘Reserve’ Pinot Gris-This impressive wine was aged 16 months in mostly neutral oak. The wine was sourced from the Archer Vineyard. There are dense flavors of starfruit, nutmeg and Gala apple. This shows nice poise and weight, as the oak integrated beautifully. The wine is truly one of the best Oregon Pinot Gris wines that I have sampled in the past year. Drink 2016-2024- 92
2014 Aubichon Chardonnay- This Chardonnay was aged in 25% new French oak for 16 months prior to bottling. Aromatically light, the wine yields brioche, red apple and cream. There are dense fruit flavors of red cherry, whipping cream, poached pear and hints of white peach. Drink 2016-2024- 91
2011 Le Cadeau 'Equinoxe' Pinot Noir- The wine is sourced from the center crest of the Le Cadeau Vineyard. The Pinot Noir wine begins with bright aromatics of spicebox, red cherry, forest floor and red raspberry. There are medium weight flavors of red cherry, red raspberry, spicebox and hints of orange rind. Drink 2016-2024- 90
2011 Le Cadeau 'Rocheaux' Pinot Noir- The wine is sourced from the western slope of the Le Cadeau Vineyard. This wine has aromatics of wet rock, red cherry, lavender and Umami. There are bright flavors of red cherry, crushed wet gravel, red cherry and hints of allspice. This has lovely weight and intensity considering the coldness of the vintage. Drink 2016-2024-91
2014 Le Cadeau 'Serendipity' Pinot Noir- A blend of Equinoxe and Rocheux blocks in the vineyard, the Pinot Noir wine begins with aromatics of wet stone, red cherry, anise and hints of wild blackberry with thyme and blood orange. There are flavors of red cherry, red raspberry, teaberry and hints of mulberry. There is a light gravel component with forest floor non-fruit flavors. The mouthfeel is smooth as the lovely texture coats the mid-palate. Drink 2016-2026- 93
2014 Aubichon'Reserve' Pinot Noir- This outstanding Pinot Noir wine begins with aromatics of black truffle, black cherry, pomegranate and wet stone accents. There are deep flavors of black cherry, crushed gravel and red raspberry with black tea accents. This is sexy stuff right now that is hard to put down. Drink 2016-2028- 93
2014 Le Cadeau 'Merci Reserve' Pinot Noir-This impressive bottling begins with aromatics of mint, red cherry, red raspberry and hints of pipe tobacco and forest floor. There are nicely weighted flavors of black cherry, black tea, pomegranate and hints of cremini mushroom. This has lovely fruit characters and intensity, as this is currently displaying a silky mouthfeel. Drink 2016-2028- 93
2014 Le Cadeau 'Trajet Reserve' Pinot Noir- Made from 85% whole cluster fermentation, the wine has more than 60% new French oak fermentation for 16 months. Having a darker core than the 'Merci Reserve' The wine begins with aromatics of black truffle, black cherry, smoke and hints of forest floor. There are flavors reminiscent of red cherry, red raspberry, black tea and light tannins. This needs another year of barrel age for the fruit to fully integrate. Drink 2017-2027- 92