Today we share wines from one of the most impressive new wineries that I have tasted from anywhere in the past year. Located in the Dundee Hills, the story of LucidWild began in January 2021 with Blair and L.J. Nicholas who helped transform the former Bella Vida vineyard into an immersive, design-forward estate featuring 28-year-old dry-farmed vines, a 15,000-square-foot facility with WineCaves, and a focus on small-production Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
This is my first chance to professionally review these wines and I was honesty blown away with the overall quality. The incredible 2024 LucidWild ‘Hidden’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) is a total stunner and filled with texture with rocky/salty nuance. The best wine I tasted was the total masterclass 2024 LucidWild ‘Chosen’ Pinot Noir (OB, 97). This is now cheap treat at over 300 bucks — but you are going to be amazed with its precision, its poise, richness and flavor density. It is a head-turner that will appeal to anyone who loves top class Oregon wine. Learn more at https://lucidwildestate.com/ and here are my reviews of the new LucidWild releases from the 2024 vintage.
2024 LucidWild ‘Hidden’ Chardonnay- Sourced from the Dundee Hills, the 2024 ‘Hidden’ Chardonnay is a stunning new bottling from their estate vineyard set on rocky soils. Rich melon and mango notes combine with clove dusted shortbread on the nose. The palate is rich and refined with a silky mouthfeel and loads of salty minerality. Light on its feet, this is drinking marvelously in its heady youth. Drink 2026-2036- 95
2024 LucidWild ‘Fusion’ PInot Noir- The 2024 ‘Fusion’ comes from several different blocks at their estate vineyard in the Dundee Hills. It is rich, viscous stuff with loads of salty and rocky soil character. Pomegranate seed flavors meld well with bergamot, orange peel and hints of peat moss on the palate. Beautifully-textured, enjoy now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2026-2036- 94
2024 LucidWild ‘Beast’ Pinot Noir- The beautiful 2024 LucidWild ‘Beast’ Pinot Noir is a barrel selection wine from the LucidWild Estate in the Dundee Hills. It is big and bold as the name suggests, loaded with dense loganberry and black cherry fruits that combine with stony soils. Very refined texturally, with plenty of weight and length, enjoy now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2026-2041- 95
2024 LucidWild ‘Renegade’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 ‘Renegade’ by LucidWild was partially whole-cluster fermented. It comes off very savory with dried herbs and black olive tapenade notes that combine with a generous melange of red and dark fruits. Full-bodied, rich and viscous, this is drinking marvelously right now. Drink 2026-2041- 95
2024 LucidWild ‘Chosen’ Pinot Noir- The 2024 ‘Chosen’ is a world-class wine that rivals some of the greats in Oregon. It is silky, opulent and stunning stuff that brings you back to the glass for more enjoyment. Very filled with tension and texture, this finishes exceedingly long with rich strawberry, black currants and stony minerals alongside Satsuma orange zest. Lush, round and irresistible, enjoy now and over the next fifteen plus years to come. Drink 2026-2044- 97