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Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Laurene 6/750 2012

Domaine Drouhin Oregon 2009 Laurène Dundee Hills | Willamette Valley | 14.1% | “French soul Oregon soil” as they say… this A ripe and heady vintage of 2009 combines with a bigger and richer district of Dundee Hill and is tempered by the delicate hands of Véronique Drouhin –on the nose this is as Côtes de Nuits an Oregon Pinot Noir as I can recall. A sappy warm spice amid velvety cherries. The palate is where they all come together. A barrel selection named for Véronique’s daughter Laurène, she takes enormous care in making this. She describes it so: “Dark and vibrant in color, the 2009 Laurène is a classic expression of our Dundee Hills Pinot Noir. The aromatics are vibrant, and consist of sweet red fruit, cherry, cola nut, and a hint of toast. The mouth weight is a balance between the plush palate feel, soft, well-integrated tannins and a nice mineral lift. The fresh red fruit flavors of cherry and cranberry mix easily with a touch of vanilla and smoke. The finish is long and silky, as one expects from Laurène. All in all, the 2009 Laurène is a wine of pleasure and elegance, a nice representation of the Drouhin style in a warmer vintage. Easy to love and approachable now, you can certainly cellar this beautiful wine for another 8 to 12 years.

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.”
Wine review by Nicholas Livingston, January 31st, 2014 (Root)

Woodland and cherry scents and flavors abound on this Pinot Noir in ways one seldom tastes this far from Burgundy. A velvety texture bears fine but thorough tannins, herbal nuances and rich root spices that melt into sandalwood and echo together on a finish that is lasting and penetrating.
Wine review by Nicholas D. Livingston, December 2012

Expert Review

92 Points - Wine Spectator, November 2012
"Bright and sleek, offering pretty blackberry and red plum flavors that stay intense as the finish lingers effortlessly, with chocolate complexity, against refined tannins. Drink now through 2019."

91 Points - Wine Advocate, August 2010
"Delivers rich dark cherry and plum fruit, its persistent but in no way superficial sweetness wreathed in bitter sweet floral perfume and allied to a vaguely stony undertone."

Food Pairings

Roasted birds are a preternatural match but Pinot Noir goes with any number of dishes ranging from those incorporating wild game and foraged mushrooms to veal stews or grilled fleshy fish. For a classic cheese pairing hunt down some Epoisse...

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