I love Pacific Northwest wineries with great history. One of the great historic Oregon wineries set in the Dundee Hills, Lange Estate was founded by Wendy and Don Lange in 1987. Their son, Jesse has a longstanding history in the wine industry and began helping his parents as a small child. Jesse’s formal winemaking training occurred at New Zealand’s Lincoln University while on a student exchange scholarship from Oregon State in 1999. Jesse then spent two years as cellar rat for winemaker Bruce McGuire at Santa Barbara Winery prior to coming back to his family winery. He joined the winemaking team in 2004 and now serves on the board of the Willamette Valley Wineries Association. In 2018 I had the chance to visit the new tasting hall at Lange which has sweeping views of the valley. It is really a sight to be seen!
I have been really impressed with the overall quality coming from Lange. I loved the 2019 Lange Rose (OB, 90) which is fresh and vibrant that is perfect for when weather warms up a bit. The 2019 Lange ‘Reserve’ Pinot Gris (OB, 92) shows what potential this varietal can have, with a silky texture and really good range. Just as good was the gorgeous 2018 Lange ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir (OB, 92) which combines mouthfeel, verve and even cola tones. This is big and rich Oregon Pinot Learn more about this outstanding Oregon winery at https://www.langewinery.com/ Here are the great new wines by Lange Estate
2019 Lange Rose- Sourced from Dundee Hills Pinot Noir, the Lange Rose shows vibrant red fruit with a lovely citrus zest edge, with copious minerals. While this comes of a bit lean and linear, the lighter texture add to the enjoyment. Drink 2020-2024- 90
2019 Lange ‘Classique’ Pinot Gris-The 2019 ‘Classique’ Pinot Gris opens with hints of ripe pear and nectarine rind with wet stone and kiwi accents that round out then nose. The palate is well-structured with lovely minerals that mingle with gooseberry, pear and cantaloupe flavors. Bright and showing a great vein of tension, this beautiful wine is best enjoyed in the short-term. Drink 2020-2024- 90
2019 Lange ‘Reserve’ Pinot Gris- An awesome new bottling, the 2019 ‘Reserve’ Pinot Gris by Jesse Lange shows off a wonderful viscosity with bright pear and green apple flavors that meld with shades of nutmeg infused sourdough bread and lighter lemon zest tones. The range here imparted is seriously good. While delightful in its youth, the 2019 ‘Reserve’ Pinot Gris will provide drinking enjoyment over the next seven plus years, picking up earthy tones as it ages. Drink 2020-2027- 92
2019 Lange ‘Classique’ Chardonnay- the 2019 ‘Classique’ shows light pear and baking spice tones on the nose. The palate delivers a superb sense of minerality, with silky pear, kiwi and green apple flavors, with lighter damp earthy tones. This is an exceedingly good value that will be best consumed in its youth while the vibrant structure remains intact. Drink 2020-2025- 90
2018 Lange ‘Classique’ Pinot Noir-The 2018 ‘Classique’ shows nice freshness and verve, delivering medium-bodied red fruit and forest floor flavors with a silky texture. With its bright acidity and juicy fruits with orange rind accents, this is delicious stuff to enjoy in the short-term. Drink 2020-2025- 90
2018 Lange ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Reserve’ Pinot Noir is an awesome new bottling by the talented Jesse Lange. Hints of cola come together with the Mandarin orange zest and bright red fruits on the bouquet. The combination of bright red fruits, racy acidity and silky texture all entice on the palate. Seriously good in its youth, I can see this beautiful wine cellaring well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 92