2004 Lemelson Pinot Noir 'Thea's Selection' (Willamette Valley)

Source: Zachys


Consumption Date: 2/10/2012

Notes: Deep musky, earthy aroma.  Surprisingly light bodied with bright fruit flavors (mostly red cherry), fine acidity, and a distinctive minerality, but also giving a surprisingly watery impression.  Finishes fairly quickly with more crisp acid minerality, musky fruitiness, and an intriguing herbaceous note.  Mild tannin.

This is yet another interesting take on Pinot Noir.  While this wine seems to be aiming for Burgundian territory, to me it seems like more of a hybrid between Burgundy (especially in the aroma) and New Zealand (in the bright acidic fruit) with a distinctive minerality all its own.  It doesn’t have quite the weight or presence I associate with the few other Oregon Pinots I have had.  The minerality and the watery midpalate give an impression almost of Burgundy flavored mineral water (but with more depth on the finish) which is a bit offputting.  As always, I wonder if this would have been different/better consumed a few years younger.  It should prove interesting to compare this with other Oregon Pinots I plan to drink in the near future.  Decent value.