Today we showcase one of Oregon’s historic wineries. Don and Wendy Lange took the plunge back in 1987, acquiring a large parcel of land in the Willamette Valley. He saw the potential for Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir planted there. Over time his son, Jesse, transitioned into their head winemaker, taking over for his father. Jesse’s formal winemaking training occurred at New Zealand’s Lincoln University while on a student exchange scholarship from Oregon State in 1999. Jesse made world-class wines for years.
I love the new Lange wines. I was also sent the ’18 releases which somehow did not make it into my 2018 Oregon Retrospective. Lange wines are built to age gracefully and I adore the 2018 Lange ‘Three Hills Cuvee’ Pinot Noir (OB, 93) which is a killer bargain in Oregon wine. In terms of their new wines, check out the gorgeous 2024 Lange Rose (OB, 91) which is filled with marvelous tension and delicate red fruits. Learn more about these beautiful wines at https://www.langewinery.com/ and here are my reviews of the Lange wines.
2024 Lange Rose- Made from Pinot Noir grapes, the bone dry 2024 Lange Rose offers great texture, freshness and underlying verve, with very pretty red fruits that mingle well with orange blossom water, and hints of pink grapefruit on the palate. Enjoy now, in its vibrant youth. Drink 2025-2031- 91
2024 Lange ‘Reserve’ Pinot Gris- The 2024 ‘Reserve’ Pinot Gris offers loads of texture and tension. Bright melon and starfruit tones combine with Japanese pear, baking spice laced pastry crust and lemon curd notes on the palate. Very complex and delicious, enjoy this fabulous Gris now and over the next eight years to come. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2018 Lange ‘Three Hills Cuvee’ Pinot Noir- An outstanding wine for the price, the 2018 Lange ‘Three Hills Cuvee’ Pinot Noir is loaded with bright red fruits, orange peel, tobacco leaf and plenty of nerve right now. Fresh and vibrant with serious depth and stuffing, enjoy now and over the next eight to ten years. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2018 Lange ‘Lange Estate’ Pinot Noir- Coming entirely from their Dundee Hills estate, the 2018 Lange ‘Lange Estate’ Pinot Noir opens with dark rose petals and damp earth notes on the nose alongside wild blackberry and black cherry. The palate is very fresh and viscous with great verve and richness. It is really primary right now, showing beautifully at the seven year mark — and has so long to go in the cellar. Drink 2025-2040- 95
2018 Lange ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Lange has remarkably been sourcing from this vineyard since 1990. This vintage has tremendous depth and concentration, as a gorgeous melange of red and dark fruits mingle well with forest floor and wafts of black truffle on the palate. Medium to full-bodied with terrific texture, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2025-2037- 95