Le Cadeau
One of the outstanding producers in the Willamette Valley, I have fond memories first tasting these wines with the 2002 vintage. Le Cadeau is set on an estate 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. This was quite an undertaking to literally battle the soils in planting vines.
The volcanic soils of the estate 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. Winemakers Jim Sanders and Steve Ryan form a really terrific team.
I adore the 2018 Le Cadeau ‘Merci Reserve’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is dense, bright and has tons of cellaring potential. They also made a killer 2020 Le Cadeau Rose (OB, 91) which is a remarkable achievement considering the conditions at harvest. Here are my reviews of the new Le Cadeau wines and learn more at lecadeau.com.
2020 Le Cadeau Rose-A blend of equal parts Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this was stored in a combination of French oak and stainless steel before bottling. Soft red fruits mingle with orange rind and stony undertones on the palate. The soft mouthfeel and bright sense of tension make this really great to enjoy now. Drink 2021-2024- 91
2018 Le Cadeau Chardonnay- The 2018 Le Cadeau Chardonnay utilizes three separate Chardonnay blocks planted to Mt. Eden, Wente and Dijon clone 76 with a touch of Musque clone. This saw 18 months on the lees in 25% new French oak before bottling. Plenty of lemon oil and brioche tones hit the palate alongside nectarine and gobs of mouths-watering acidity. Seriously good to savor now with its salty and nutty nuances, this beautiful wine will cellar well for at least another decade. Drink 2021-2031- 93
2019 Le Cadeau ‘Cote Est’ Pinot Noir- The really good 2019 Le Cadeau ‘Cote Est’ Pinot Noir is sourced from eastern facing blocks that utilize Calera, Pommard and Dijon clones 667, 114 and 115. Soft upon entry, the wine unveils black raspberry flavors alongside copious minerals, wet stone and suggestions of Mandarin orange rind on the palate. Finishing long, this deep and gratifying cool vintage effort will provide drinking enjoyment over the next twelve to fifteen years. Drink 2021-2033- 93
2019 Le Cadeau ‘Diversite’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Diversite’ is crafted from northern blocks in the Le Cadeau Vineard with varied soil types. Stony and very savory on the nose this displays a dazzling array of red fruits alongside citrus embers and suggestions of peat moss aromatically. Medium-bodied but. showing great finesse, this beautiful red fruit-driven effort is fantastic to savor right now and is sure to provide drinking enjoyment over the next twelve to fifteen years. Drink 2021-2033- 93
2019 Le Cadeau “Rocheaux’ Pinot Noir- The fantastic new 2019 ‘Rocheaux’ was created from rocky, western-facing blocks in the Le Cadeau Vineyard. This saw slightly less new French oak (33%) than the other new Pinot Noirs, as this is quite rocky aromatically with baking spices and bright red fruits. The palate is soft and inviting with its seamless texture. Finishing long with bright cranberry and guava flavors, the outstanding 2019 ‘Rocheaux’ is drinking beautifully now and will evolve well over the next twelve years. Drink 2021-2033- 93
2018 Le Cadeau ‘Merci Reserve' Pinot Noir- Always their barrel select wine, the 2018 ‘Merci Reserve’ is a stunning new warm vintage effort that is built to age but is also sinfully good in its heady youth. This underwent 25% whole cluster fermentation, as the wine leads with layers of pink grapefruit blossom alongside a rich core of crunchy red fruit aromatics, with stony undercurrents. The palate is rich and highly gratifying, showing serious concentration and a soft mouthfeel alongside a terrific veil of tension. Rich red fruit parade with wet stone, cardamom spiked brioche and kumquat zest, creating a very complex range of flavors. Enjoy this beautiful Pinot Noir over the next fifteen years — or possibly more! Drink 2021-2038- 94
