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  Domaine Drouhin "Laurène" Estate Pinot Noir 2008 (Dundee Hills, Oregon) - [ST 93] [BH 92] [RP 92]
  Domaine Drouhin
 


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Retail Price: $70.00
Artisan Wine Depot Price: $54.99
You save $15.01!

Winery: Domaine Drouhin
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Region: Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon
Vintage: 2008
Bottle Size: 750 ml

Product Code: DROUHINPINOTNOIRLAURENE08-W

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Press / Wine Critic's Reviews
 
CASE PRICE = $53.99 per bottle (add 12+ quantity to your basket)
Véronique’s Tasting Notes: 

The 2008 Laurène has a very long ageing curve ahead of it. Deep and complex, with excellent weight, firm structure, and real intensity, the 08 Laurène needs a lot of air in the glass, or time in your cellar. You can enjoy it now, but I recommend at least 30 minutes in the decanter to reveal the layers of smoke, earth, orange peel and white pepper. After even more time, a mix of red and black fruits come forward: black cherry, cassis, rhubarb and currant. The dark fruits, black cherries and spices reminds of the 2005 Laurène, as do the aromatics and richness. The finish is very long, all of which points to a very long life. Santé! - Véronique Drouhin-Boss, Sept. 2011

About the Laurène Cuvée: 

Named after Véronique Drouhin’s elder daughter, Laurène is our flagship wine, and is produced entirely from Pinot Noir grown on the family’s estate in the Dundee Hills. All of the fruit is handpicked into small totes, destemmed, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and then placed into barrels (French oak, never more than 20% new).  Once the vintage is safely in the cellar, Véronique begins the process of selecting barrels which have an extra complexity, length and depth barrels which will work together as Laurène.

In recent years, Laurène has been named one of the “Great Wines of America” by Paul Lukacs in his book of the same name and “perennially one of Oregon’s best wines” by Portland Monthly Magazine (Sept. 2009).  In 2008, celebrated writer Matt Kramer presented Laurène in his Wine Spectator seminar, “21st Century Pinot Noir Greatness.”

The 2008 Vintage: 

2008 was simply an incredible vintage in Oregon. Though we could have wished for higher yields given the incredible quality, we are grateful for what we have. Overall, it was a long, relatively cool growing season, which allowed for full ripeness, strong acidity and lower alcohols. These are wines that will live a long time.

Harvested:  October 10 - October 22
Bottled:  March 2010
Released:  Fall 2011
Production:  5,900  six-packs

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Stephen Tanzer's International Wine Cellar:
"Deep red. Captivating, highly perfumed aromas of raspberry, pepper, Asian spices, cocoa powder and rose; brighter and more precise than the regular bottling. Then juicy and penetrating in the mouth, with brilliantly fresh raspberry and wild strawberry flavors that stain the palate. Finishes tangy and long, with a whiplash of mineral-accented red fruits and flowers. This one really calls for a decade of aging, even if there's plenty to like now. Aged in 30% new oak." - Josh Raynolds (Jul/Aug '10)

92 Points & "Outstanding" - Allen Meadows' Burghound:
"Initially there is a noticeable touch of reduction though it quickly blows off to reveal very pretty and solidly complex aromas of blue and red pinot fruit that is cut with spice and violet notes. The delicious, round and delineated flavors possess good depth and excellent length as well as just a touch of finishing austerity that is really quite appealing. A lovely effort of class and grace that should age well." - Jan 1, 2011

92 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate:
"The 2008 Pinot Noir Laurene Estate spent 13-15 months in 25% new oak. It offers a splendid nose of smoke, spice box, floral notes, black cherry, and black raspberry. Medium-bodied on the palate, it has enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years, precise balance, a velvety texture, and an elegant personality. Drink this lengthy effort from 2013 to 2023." - Jay Miller (Oct 2010)

93 Points & "Outstanding" - Allen Meadows' Burghound ('07 Vintage):
"A fresh, elegant and complex nose blends both upper and lower register fruit aromas, in particular red currant and plum, along with subtle soil undertones that lead to delicious, detailed and equally complex medium-bodied flavors that possess excellent focus, balance and persistence on the beautifully long finish that displays an attractive touch of austerity. If you wanted to pick nits, you could say that this is not as dense as some prior vintages but I would counter with how lovely this wine is to simply drink, which is what really counts. Well worth your interest. Drink 2014+" (Jan 30, 2010)

91 Points - Robert Parker's Wine Advocate ('07 Vintage):
"The 2007 Pinot Noir Laurene is produced entirely from estate fruit. Medium ruby-colored, it displays a superb bouquet of smoke, earth notes, cinnamon, allspice, wild cherry, and raspberry. Smooth textured and graceful on the palate, this medium-bodied wine has layers of succulent fruit, lively acidity, plenty of earthy spice notes, moderate tannin, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish. It will evolve for another 2-3 years and drink well through 2022.

Domaine Drouhin has been producing wine in the Willamette Valley since 1988 making them one of the veterans of the Oregon wine scene. In addition to Pinot Noir, Drouhin makes outstanding Chardonnay. All of the current releases are first-class in a Cotes de Beaune style and should not be overlooked. The 2007s are particularly good because of the vibrant natural acidity of the vintage. Veronique Drouhin was kind enough to show me this same set of wines from the 2002 vintage (which were reviewed by Pierre Rovani in 2004). The Willamette Valley cuvee (90 points) is mature with another 5-6 years of life and drinking beautifully. The 2002 Laurene (92 points) is still evolving, while the splendid 2002 Louise (94 points) will benefit from another 4-5 years of cellaring and should drink well through 2022. It is increasingly apparent that Oregon Pinot Noir from top producers in strong vintages can easily provide pleasure for 20+ years." - Jay Miller (Oct 2009)

91 Points & "Cellar Selection" - Wine Enthusiast Magazine ('07 Vintage):
"The Laurène–Drouhin Family Estate Reserve brings a bit more earthiness to the table than the regular DDO bottling. In the mouth, the fruit—a delicate jumble of raspberry, pomegranate, cranberry and sour cherry—mingles with streaks of caramel, herb and leaf. A wine that will reward both cellaring (at least a decade) and studying."  - P.G.  (3/1/2011)

91 Points - Wine Spectator Magazine ('07 Vintage):
"Firm in texture, displaying fine tannins around pretty rose petal-accented guava and rhubarb fruit, hinting at cinnamon as the finish extends. Drink now through 2015. 2,450 cases made." –HS (Dec 31, 2010)

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