Lemelson Thea's Selection Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 2009

This wine had it's coming out party last vintage when The Wine Spectator gave it 92 points and added it to the coveted Top 100 list. I noted it as falling just shy of a VF 90. Still the demand for the current releases of Lemelson has been building up ahead of the release and now it is being scooped up by virtually every account as soon as an allocation is presented. Who am I to argue? Sourced from the Stermer, Johnson and Wascher Vineyards and comprised of Pommard, Wadenswil and 5 different Dijon clones at extremely low yields of about 2600 lb/acre.

Opaque purple garnet in color, the nose has gobs of java and mineral laced earth rimmed by violets and cherry. The palate shows licorice, cherry, black raspberry, orange peel, and clove. The finish is elegantly long and framed by juicy acidity.