Today we share the great wines of Lachini. 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.
At the helm is winemaker Florent Merlier who joined Lachini in 2022. I adored the 2021 Lachini Vineyards ‘Prima’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is a world-class wine from this warm vintage. Learn more about this great Oregon winery at https://www.lachinivineyards.com Here are the great new release wines by Lachini Vineyards.
2019 Lachini Brut Rose Sparkling Wine- The 2019 Brut Rose has the faintest salmon hue. A soft mousse and effervescence, this leads with pastry crust and banana with macadamia nut notes on the nose alongside shades of red raspberry. The palate is big and round with a generous mouthfeel and beautiful sense of tension. Salty and delicious, enjoy now and over the next eight years. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2023 Lachini ‘Estate’ Chardonnay- Coming from their estate vineyard in the Chehalem Mountains, the 2023 Chardonnay offers poached pear and shades of ripe pineapple on the nose with vanilla cream. The palate is soft and elegant with a smooth texture and good sense of minerality. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2031- 92
2022 Lachini ‘Cuvee Giselle’ Pinot Noir- The excellent 2022 ‘Cuvee Giselle’ was sourced from the Chehalem Mountain AVA. This comes off soft and generous with rich Bing cherry and red raspberry flavors that combine with salty minerals, orange peel and suggestions of fresh sage. Delicious now, enjoy over the next eight plus years to come. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2023 Lachini ‘Le Sorelilni’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Lachini ‘Le Sorelilni’ Pinot Noir is sourced from Swan, Wadenswil and Dijon clonal selections throughout the Willamette Valley. Stored in 60% new French oak, this offers a generous mouthfeel. Loaded with bright red fruits, tobacco leaf and salty minerals, this is a beautiful and bright, mineral-driven Pinot Noir that will satisfy for at least another decade. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2022 Lachini ‘Estate’ Pinot Noir- A gorgeous follow up to the dazzling 2021, the 2022 'Estate’ Pinot Noir combines Pommard, Wädenswil, Dijon 113, 114, 115, 667, 777 and a 'suitcase clone' (L.T.) This is lithe and polished stuff with a smooth mouthfeel. Generous red fruits mingle well with orange zest and shades of black truffle. The salty soil nuance adds to the enjoyment as this outstanding bottling is best consumed now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2036- 94
2023 Lachini ‘La Cruz Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 ‘La Cruz’ Pinot Nor comes from this site in the Sonoma Coast AVA that neighbors the Pacific Ocean. Salty pomegranate seed and kumquat zest flavors combine with crushed wet rock and shades of Yakima cherry on the palate. Rich and delicious, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2021 Lachini ‘Prima’ Pinot Noir- A limited production bottling, the 2021 ‘Prima’ is a world-class bottling that is up there with the finest wines made from this estate. The Pinot Noir combines Dijon clone 115, Dijon clone 116, Pommard clone and Waidenswil selections. This is bold and seamless wine that offers a great core of black and red fruits, with volcanic earth and gobs of salty character. Full-bodied, beautifully speaking to the vintage, with herbal undertones, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years. Drink 2024-2039- 95
2022 Lachini ‘La Bestia’ Cabernet Sauvignon- Made from vines sourced from the Quintessence, Red Willow and Boushey Vineyards, this was stored in a combination of American and French oak before bottling. This is deep and concentrated stuff with dark licorice, black currants, and shades of Black Forest cake flavors. Showing good tension and a smooth mouthfeel, with pencil lead accents, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years. Drink 2024-2039- 93
2022 Lachini ‘La Contrada’ Red Wine- The 2022 ‘La Contrada’ combines 50% Cabernet Sauvignon with the remainder equal parts Merlot and Malbec. This is big and bold stuff with a terrific sense of richness, tension and flavor density. Rich dark fruits parade with shades of dark chocolate shavings and creme de violette with tar accents. Full-bodied, this is absolutely ready to be enjoyed now. Drink 2024-2036- 93