Tonight it is my great pleasure to share one of Oregon’s greats that was founded more than 20 years ago. It was 2001 when Ron and Marianne Lachini decided to take the plunge and locate in the Chehalem Mountains AVA to showcase wines from this special, terroir-driven location. Lachini produces a wide range of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay that show wonderful terroir and poise. Ron Lachini is one of the great personalities in Oregon wine. A down to earth guy, he is passionate about producing great Pinot Noir from his vineyard. Lachini has tasting rooms in both Oregon and Woodinville. The wines that they have made from Washington are also seriously good.
Florent Merlier became head winemaker in April 2022. I am really excited to see his hand in the wines. An outstanding value Pinot Noir, the 2021 Lachini ‘Cuvee Giselle’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) is a total stunner. Fresh and viscous with serious verve, this is already beautifully evolved. I love the new 2019 Lachini Vineyards ‘Prima’ Pinot Noir (OB, 94) which is a stunning wine made in a cooler vintage. Learn more about this great Oregon winery at https://www.lachinivineyards.com Here are the great new release wines by Lachini Vineyards.
2021 Lachini ‘Cuvee Giselle’ Pinot Noir- The great new 2021 ‘Cuvee Giselle’ comes from the Chehalem Mountain AVA. Right away this is very appealing with its soft mouthfeel Bright underling acidity lines this beauty that shows a wonderful purity of red fruits with menthol and sage accents, alongside salty soil tones. This is refined and elegant, nicely weighted and structured Oregon Pinot Noir that will drink well for another fifteen years to coms. Drink 2023-2037- 93
2021 Lachini ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- A total wow-factor wine, the 2021 ’Family Estate’ Pinot Noir is another beautiful wine made by Ron Lachini. This wine utilizes a range of clonal selection Pinot Noir including Pommard, Wädenswil, Dijon 113, 114, 115, 667, 777 and a 'suitcase clone' (L.T.) This is big and broad-shouldered, taking on a very Sonomaesque sense of weight. Cran-pomegranate, gauva and red cherry flavors combine with freshly tilled salty soils and orange rind accents. Complex, hedonistic and very delicious, enjoy this polished wine now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2023-2038- 94
2022 Lachini ‘La Cruz Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This beautiful new 2022 Pinot Nor comes from the ‘La Cruz Vineyard’ which neighbors the Pacific Ocean in the Sonoma Coast AVA. Lachini has now been sourcing from this site for many years, as this saw a small portion of whole cluster fermentation. The resultant wine is jam-packed full of flavor, with good underlying tension. Pretty red fruits collide with tobacco leaf, refined tannins and shades of white pepper all line the palate. Finishing long this might be the finest edition of this wine made yet. Drink 2023-2033- 94
2019 Lachini ‘Prima’ Pinot Noir- The 2019 ‘Prima’ is a stunning wine made from a slightly cooler vintage. The wine utilizes Dijon clone 115, Dijon clone 116, Pommard clone and Waidenswil clonal selections, as the 2019 shows serious weight despite the challenges at harvest. Neatly concentrated with bright Yakima cherry and red raspberry cordial notes alongside wet rock and sous bois notes, this is drinking beautifully now. Drink 2023-2038- 94
2021 Lachini ‘La Bestia’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Made from vines sourced from the Quintessence and Boushey Vineyards, this was stored for 22 months in French oak before bottling. The palate is soft and seamless with serious texture and tension. Dark currants parade with mocha, allspice dusted blackberry, and espresso grounds on the palate. Totally stunning and already beautifully evolved, this will be a 20 year wine. But why wait? Drink 2023-2040- 94