Today we share the wines from an outstanding Oregon house. Gran Moraine is named after the cataclysmic floods that descended on the northern Willamette Valley of Oregon during the last ice age. As the flood waters receded, they impacted the region, leaving small indentations or mini valleys (moraines), similar to those in the the Côte ’Or in Burgundy. Located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, Gran Moraine has 220 acres planted to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
Shane Moore is an Idaho native who has been at the helm for years. In 2011 Shane began working for Jackson Family Wines winemaking team as an enologist, crafting cool climate California Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. Shane helped build the Gran Moraine winemaking team and was named winemaker in 2016. A killer value is the 2023 ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Chardonnay (OB, 93) which has loads of texture and flavor range. Learn more about this fantastic winery at https://www.granmoraine.com Here are the great new releases by Gran Moraine.
2023 Gran Moraine ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Chardonnay- A delightful edition of this wine, the nicely poised and weighted ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Chardonnay offers dense melon and citrus fruits that combine with loads of salty minerals. The combination of weight and mouth-watering acidity really shines. Drink 2026-2036- 93
2023 Gran Moraine ‘Dropstone’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Dropstone’ Chardonnay comes from blocks 109 and 330 in the state vineyard. Stored in a small amount of new French oak this shows off Key lime and cantaloupe favors that combine with shades of yellow plum and salted French bread on the palate. Deep and rich, enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2026-2038- 94
2022 Gran Moraine ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 Gran Moraine ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir was stored in mainly neutral oak before bottling. It is soft, juicy and delicious with delightful guava and red raspberry fruits alongside garrigue and salty soils. Great to enjoy now, savor this beauty over the next decade. Drink 2026-2036- 93
2023 Gran Moraine ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir- Fresh and neatly-textured, the 2023 Gran Moraine ‘Yamhill-Carlton’ Pinot Noir offers bright strawberry and loganberry fruits that meld with Satsuma orange zest and shades of cardamom with rocky nuances. Drink 2026-2036- 93
2023 Gran Moraine ‘Cascade’ Pinot Noir-The 2023 ‘Cascade’ utilizes clone 115 and 667 Pinot Noir. The wine was aged for 10 months in 44% new French oak barrels and it is fat and deeply concentrated stuff. Loaded with black and red fruits, with thyme, bay leaf and fresh sage notes, alongside salty soils, this beauty has a long life ahead of it. Drink 2026-2042- 96
2023 Gran Moraine ‘Telluric’ Pinot Noir- The 2023 Gran Moraine ‘Telluric’ Pinot Noir utilizes clones 4, 667 and 777 Pinot Noir. Aged in mainly new French oak (66%) for 10 months, this delivers citrus blossom and bright guava fruits on the nose alongside rocky soils. The palate is lush and refined with terrific weight, mouthfeel and salty minerality. Drink 2026-2042- 95