For years I have enjoyed the wines of Lemelson Vineyards, one of the region’s outstanding producers of Pinot Noir. It all began back in 1995 environmental lawyer, Eric Lemelson began planting Pinot Noir. He later created a high tech gravity flow winery which processed it’s first vintage in 1999. All farming practices are organic at Lemelson. Matt Wengel serves as Lemelson winemaker. Matt is a graduate of the prestigious UC Davis Enology and Viticulture program. Following his time workin harvests in Sonoma County, he worked in South Africa at Warwick Estate and had stops in Chile as well as upstate New York. He eventually accepted a position at Stags Leap Winery in Napa Valley and well as serving as assistant winemaker at Clos Pegase for several years prior to. Coming to Lemelson Vineyards.
I have been very impressed with Matt’s wines. These are beautifully textured wines that have good length and flavor density. I adored the new 2018 Lemelson ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which has great stuffing and poise. This is an outstanding Chardonnay that will cellar well over the next decade. Nearly as good is his 2018 Lemelson ‘Meyer Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 92) which is very pretty with a nice dusting of salinity. Learn more about these excellent new wines at http://www.lemelsonvineyards.com Here are the great new wines by Lemelson Vineyards.
2018 Lemelson ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay- Ripe pear and vanilla cream with flinty undertones mark the nose as this 2018 ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay was entirely sourced from the ‘Chestnut Hill Vineyard’ set on volcanic soils. The palate evokes a big mouthfeel with layers of brioche and creme brûlée alongside ripe pear and starfruit tones. The wonderful length add to the crescendo, as this beautiful wine will cellar well over the next decade but is fantastic to consume in its youth. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2018 Lemelson ‘Thea’s Selection’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from a host of Pinot Noir clonal selections and vineyards throughout the Willamette Valley, the 2019 ‘Thea’s Selection’ shows off a soft mouthfeel with ripe red currants, orange peel and tilled volcanic soils on the palate, with salty undertones. Ripe and showing nicely in its youth, enjoy this great effort over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2021-2029- 91
2018 Lemelson ‘Stermer Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Planted back in 1997, the ‘Stermer Vineyard’ is located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, as Pinot Noir vines are set on marine sedimentary soils. Aged for fifteen months in 44% new French oak, this evokes black tea, red currants and salty soils on the nose. The palate is round and generous with ripe red fruits that mingle with peat moss and tiled soils. With good length, this has at least another decade to go. Drink 2021-2031- 92
2018 Lemelson ‘Meyer Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Located in the Dundee Hills AVA, the ‘Meyer vineyard’ is a steeply planted site ranging from 550-800 feet and set on Jory and Nekkia soils. The palate shows good freshness and a light dusting of salinity alongside a ripe sense of mouthfeel and great veil of tension. Pomegranate seed, orange rind and tobacco leaf mingle with the salty and earthy undertones of the wine. Enjoy this beauty over the next ten to twelve years. Drink 2021-2033- 92
2018 Lemelson ‘Chestnut Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Chestnut Hill Vineyard’ is one of the highest elevation locations in the Willamette Valley, as the vineyard is planted to Dijon 115 and Pommard clone Pinot Noir. The palate shows a good core of red and dark fruits with salty undertones as well as blood orange zest and shades of wintergreen. Complex and utterly delicious to enjoy now, this has at least another decade of life ahead of it. Drink 2021-2033- 92
2017 Lemelson ‘Jerome Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Jerome Reserve’ is a barrel select wine that was mostly sourced from the Stermer and Meyer Vineyards. This underwent 15% whole cluster fermentation and was aged in 44% new French oak for sixteen months prior to bottling. Once on the nose this takes on layers of pretty red fruits with red rose petals, grapefruit blossom and underbrush aromas. The palate is silky and seamless, with pomegranate seed, orange zest, cranberry, teaberry and salty soils. A beautiful wine from start to finish, this will continue to provide drinking enjoyment over the next fifteen years. Drink 2021-2035- 93