Today we share a beautiful boutique producers of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley. Aubaine focuses on single vineyard and estate only Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Founder Andy Lytle has a love of Burgundy and Champagne, as he is half of Lytle-Barnett. For years I have admired the wines of Isabelle Meunier, who has made a range of wines for producers across the Willamette Valley. Meunier is native of Quebec, and she studied winemaking and viticulture at the University of Dijon in Burgundy, as well as in New Zealand at Lincoln University. Following her eduction she worked at famed producers Felton Road in New Zealand, as well as Dominique Lafon of Domaine des Comtes Lafon.
Isabelle moved to the Willamette Valley in 2007 to work with Evening Land and had incredible success with that program. She later started her own winery venture, LAVINEA, an artisan production of distinctive single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Since their inaugural vintage, Meunier has served as Aubaine winemaker. I love the new 2021 Aubaine ‘Joie’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which shows great richness, flavor density and length from this warm vintage. Learn more about this outstanding producer at aubainewine.com and here are my reviews of the new Aubaine wines.
2021 Aubaine Pinot Noir- Very smooth and polished, the 2021 Aubaine Pinot Noir shows off good concentration in this warm vintage. Tart red fruits parade with citrus blossom water, tobacco and shades of wet stone on the palate. Showing good depth and length, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2023-2031- 92
2021 Aubaine ‘Joie’ Pinot Noir- The 2021 ‘Joie’ Pinot Noir is a beautiful bottling from the Anahata Vineyard in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Rich rose petals combine with fresh sage, tangerine peel and shades of red cherry candy on the nose. The palate is packed with flavor and great underlying verve. Finishing long with red fruits and minerals, this is delicious Pinot Noir to savor now and over the next ten years. Drink 2023-2033- 93