Willakenzie Estate Pinot Noir Willamette Valley Estate Cuvée 2009

Winemaker's Notes:

Named after the soil that defines it, WillaKenzie Estate is a small, family-owned winery dedicated to the highest expression of terroir. They make wonderful wines exclusively from the Pinot family of grapes: Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Noir, as well as Gamay Noir made in the Beaujolais Cru style. All the wines are entirely from estate grown fruit. Owner Bernard Lacroute developed a passion for Pinot Noir in his native Burgundy. In January 1991, Bernard and Ronni Lacroute purchased the ideal Pinot site they had been seeking: a beautiful 420-acre ranch in Yamhill County which they began planting to grapevines in 1992. Today, more than 100 acres of vineyards are arranged on the rolling hills below theChehalem mountains, around untouched stands of majestic, native Douglas fir and oak. The European theme continues with the remaining key staff at WillaKenzie: with a degree in oenology from the University of Bordeaux, Thibaud Mandet brings a French touch to the art and science of winemaking. This fusion of European talent with American natural resources seems to encapsulate the essence of the estate and its wines. This Pinot Blanc is brilliantly bright and clear, with a pale straw colour. Aromas of orange blossom and white flowers along with subtle Asian pear, lemongrass, stone fruit and mineral notes entice and tempt, offering a pleasing round mouth feel ending with a long finish, after this clean, crisp attack. This fresh and juicy wine is delicious as an aperitif or as an accompaniment for shellfish, oysters and grilled peaches.