Lemelson Vineyards Opens Full-Time Tasting Room -- June 26, 2009
click for the press release

Thea's Selection 2007 Pinot noir in the press

"This also displays an herbal character but here it is more discreet though hardly invisible and adds nuance to the otherwise pretty and fresh red pinot and briar-suffused nose that merges into nicely detailed, graceful and elegantly textured middle weight flavors that are delicious and vibrant while delivering good length and enough finishing depth to be interesting. I like this as it's restrained and has a mild touch of finishing austerity.  However, note that those who enjoy plush and opulent pinots should consider other options."   -  90 Points  Burghound  January 30, 2010  

 "Here are bright, fruity scents and flavors of roses, cherries, and red berries.  The herbal underpinning is there, but it's been nicely smoothed, with soft, slightly leathery tannins, a dusting of cocoa, and just enough forest floor material to give the finish some depth."   -  P.G.  89 Points  Wine Enthusiast  December, 15, 2009 

Cuvee X 2007 Pinot noir in the press

"Cuvee X comes from some of the steepest blocks of the Meyer Vineyard.  Intensely fragrant, earthy and sharp, this fascinating Pinot Noir orchestrates wild, brambly fruit, cola, cocoa, toasted hazelnuts and clean, moist earth.  It's generous and forward, but substantial."   -  P.G.  90 Points  Wine Enthusiast  December, 15, 2009 

Meyer Vineyard 2007 Pinot noir in the press

 "Though lighter than the excellent 2006 Meyer Vineyard Pinot Noir, this compensates with a graceful blend of sweet/tart cherry fruit, licorice, herb and moist earth.  The alcohol is a full percentage point lower than the previous vintage, and somehow the wine seems more Burgundian as a result, yet with plenty of pretty, juicy fruit.  Nicely done."   -  P.G.  90 Points  Wine Enthusiast  December, 15, 2009

Stermer Vineyard 2007 Pinot noir in the press

 "A pleasing dark, black cherry color, Lemelson's Stermer Vineyard Pinot Noir has slightly more concentration and tannin than the Cuvee X; it's earthier, with more flavors of wood, forest floor and soil.  Black cherry fruit keeps it in balance, with juicy acids and a light dusting of cocoa.  The alcohol is just 13.5%."   -  P.G.  91 Points  Wine Enthusiast  December, 15, 2009

 "Spice box, sandalwood, violets, black cherry, and black raspberry aromas lead to a sweetly fruited, structured Pinot that has 2-3 years of aging potential.  This layered, tasty effort will offer prime drinking from 2011 to 2019."   -    90 Points  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate October 31, 2009

Lemelson Vineyards 2008 Dry Riesling in the press

"Light and dry, with pretty peach, green apple and star fruit aromas and flavors, persisting on the lively finish, remaining complex and vivid.  Drink now through 2014."   -  Harvey Steinman  90 Points  The Wine Spectator 2010

"A fine effort from Lemelson, this fruit-loaded Riesling has plenty of citrus, along with kiwi, peach and apricot. The acids are juicy and natural tasting, setting up a ripe, round, lingering finish."   -  P.G.  90 Points  Wine Enthusiast  December, 15, 2009

Tikka's Run 2008 Pinot Gris in the press

"A nicely textured, lightly spicy wine with round, fleshy, apple and pear fruit.  Hints of orange blossom lead into a streak of orange candy, then a strong finish with mineral accents."   -  P.G.  90 Points  Wine Enthusiast  December, 15, 2009

"Bright and lively, a graceful wine with pretty grapefruit and honeydew flavors, finishing with refinement.  Drink now.  416 cases made."   -  Harvey Steinman  89 Points  The Wine Spectator 2009

Jerome Reserve 2006 Pinot noir in the press

"The dark ruby Jerome Reserve boasts aromas of black cherry, coffee, minerals and vanilla.  On the palate it offers flavors of sweet plum with cedar and vanilla highlights.  Silky with soft tannins, it finishes with good flavor intensity and freshness."  91 Points  The International Wine Review April 2009

"Deep red.   Pungent, mineral-driven aromas of dark berries and cherry, with subtle floral and smoke notes adding complexity; reminds me of a wine from Morey-Saint-Denis.  Sweet black raspberry and cherry flavors are supple and palate-saturating, picking up a zesty black pepper quality on the back end.  Maintains sweetness and power through its long, gentle chewy finish.  I like this wine's blend of richness and vivacity."   -  Josh Reynolds  92 Points  Tanzer's International Wine Cellar  May/June 09

"The winery suggests that this is their most ageworthy Pinot noir, and the structure of this young, complex wine would support that assertion.  It's tight, hard, compact with black fruits, smoke and chewy tannins.  It's a wine that needs time to stretch its considerable muscles.  The roughly 50/50 mix of new and once-used barrels adds baking chocolate, licorice and charred toast to the finish; well-integrated and buttressed with crisp acids.  But the lingering flavor is of raspberry jam."  -  P.G.  92 Points
Wine Enthusiast  December, 15, 2008

"The 2006 Pinot noir Jerome Reserve is a barrel selection from the best lots in the winery.  Medium/dark ruby-colored, the nose exhibits cassis, cherry, and wild strawberry.  This leads to a wine with excellent grip, several years of aging potential, complex flavors, and a lengthy finish.  Drink it from 2011 to 2020.  91+ Points" 
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate October 30, 2008 

"This is high-toned, ripe and complex with a layered and pure red fruit nose that also displays hints of menthol and briar that can also be found on the naturally sweet, delicious, seductive and mouth coating flavors that are lush to the point of opulence if not necessarily as complex as the nose.  This is a very generous effort that will please those who enjoy full-flavored and sumptuous pinots. 90 Pts./2010"
Burghound.com  October 2008

Anderson Vineyard 2006 Pinot noir in the press

"The 2006 Pinot noir Anderson Vineyard is medium ruby-colored with a similar aromatic profile.  On the palate, it reveals an elegant personality with ample racy fruit, bright acidity, and enough structure to keep things together.  Drink this medium-long effort over the next five years.  90 Points"
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate  October 30, 2008

Chestnut Hill Vineyard 2006 Pinot noir in the press

“Chestnut HIll is located on Parrett Mountain and offers aromas of cranberry fruit, sandalwood, smoke and forest floor.  It is nicely layered, revealing flavors of black cherry, vanilla and toast on the palate.  The tannins are silky, and the finish is long and satisfying."  90 Points  The International Wine Review April 2009  

“Light and fragrant, offering a fragile mouthful of blackberry and currant flavors at first, but the flavors shine through a veil of fine tannins and gain in intensity as the finish lingers impressively. Best from 2009 through 2014. 91 Points.”
Harvey Steinman - Wine Spectator  -  October 1, 2008 

  "The 2006 Pinot noir Chestnut Hill Vineyard offers greater depth, darker fruit, and enough structure to evolve for 2-3 years.  The fruit is savory and generously endowed and carries through to a lengthy finish.  Drink it from 2010 to 2018."  91 Points  Robert Parker's Wine Advocate October 30, 2008  

"Bright red.  Smoky red berries and cherry on the nose.  Supple red and dark berry flavors show surprising depth and pick up a candied licorice quality with air.  Juicy, focused and pure, with very good spicy persistence."  -  Josh Reynolds  90 Points"     Tanzer's International Wine Cellar  May/June 09

"Labeled Willamette but located in the Chehalem Mountain AVA, this single-vineyard Pinot Noir from Lemelson captures a tight, spicy, herbal facet of the grape.  It's almost salty, with a strong pine resin flavor running down its spine, but in a very attractive way.  This is distinctive, perhaps not for everyone, but extremely well made and terroir-driven.  As the wine breathes open, beautiful berry flavors rise to the front of the palate."  -  Paul Greggut  91 Points  Wine Enthusiast

Meyer Vineyard 2006 Pinot noir in the press

"The Meyer Vineyard in the Red Hills of Dundee, ripened especially well in 2006, bringing forth concentrated fruits that mix raspberry, cranberry, pie cherry and finishing hints of rhubarb.  Spice and sharp acids add definition to the midpalate, and the careful barrel aging has introduced accent notes of nutmeg, licorice and black tea.  Despite its heft and substantial 14.6% alcohol, this wine has a sleekness that carries it gracefully into a lengthy, elegant finish."  Editors' Choice - P.G.   91 Points  Wine Enthusiast  December 15, 2008

"Dark red.  Powerful aromas of black raspberry, cherry and mocha, with slow-mounting Indian spices.  Pliant dark berry flavors  are framed by velvety tannins and given bite by a note of bitter cherry pit.  Gains weight and sweetness with air, finishing with a strong echo of blackcurrant.  This will stand up to a strongly seasoned piece of grilled or braised lamb."  -  Josh Reynolds  91 Points  Tanzer's International Wine Cellar  May/June 09

"The Meyer Vineyard boasts aromas of spicy black and red fruit, baking spices, and wet leaves.  On the palate it offers ripe cherry fruit, sweet vanilla, pepper and chocolate.  Big and lush with rich dense fruit flavors, the wine is round in the mouth and long on the finish."  90 Points    The International Wine Review  April 2009

Stermer Vineyard 2006 Pinot noir in the press

"The 2006 Pinot noir Stermer Vineyard is dark ruby-colored with earth notes, mineral, black cherry, and black raspberry.  This is followed by a medium to full-bodied wine with gobs of succulent fruit, nicely concealed tannins, excellent balance, and a pure, fruit-filled finish.  Enjoy it from 2011 to 2020.  92 Points
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate  October 30, 2008

"An extremely pretty nose of very pure red pinot fruit, plum and a hint of cough drop marries into rich, full and very ripe yet not heavy medium full-bodied flavors that possess fine levels dry of extract that really coats the palate on the extended finish.  This is a serious but not somber effort that displays a hint of warmth but it really is only a hint.  90 Pts/2011+"  Burghound.com  October 2008

"Dark red.  Fresh red berries and cherry on the nose.  Floral and spice notes gain strength with air, adding complexity to the sweet raspberry and cherry preserve flavors.  Fine-grained tannins add support and carry through a long, alluringly sweet finish.  Give this some air."  -  Josh Reynolds  90 Points  Tanzer's International Wine Cellar  May/June 09

Wascher Vineyard 2006 Pinot noir in the press

"Medium red.  Spicy red berries and cherry skin on the nose.  A subtle floral quality gains strength with air and carries onto the palate, adding complexity to the sweet raspberry and cherry compote flavors.  A tangy note of white pepper lingers on the long, impressively nervy finish.  I really like this wine's restraint and precision."  Josh Reynolds  91 Points  Tanzer's International Wine Cellar  May/June 09

Thea's Selection 2006 Pinot noir in the press

"The expressive and relatively high-toned nose offering notes of crushed leaf, cranberry and pure red pinot fruit is followed by complex, intense, detailed and vibrant flavors that are delicious, mouth coating and beautifully long.  I very much like the balance and purity of expression and the only nit is a subtle touch of warmth.  In a word, lovely.  91 Pts./2011+"   Burghound.com  October 2008

"Thea's Selection is Lemelson's measuring stick Pinot noir, as it is a blend of blocks from the different estate vineyards.  This elegant release emphasizes aromas of pungent herbs, lifted with hints of rose petal and briary berry.  In the mouth there is a lively, sappy, fruit-centric focus, showing concentrated raspberry (framboise) flavors.  In short, a thoroughly delicious bottle that makes the case for blends over most single-vineyard offerings in Oregon." -  P.G.  90 Points
Wine Enthusiast  December 15, 2008

"Medium red.  Smoky red berry and cherry compote aromas are complicated by sassafras and herbal notes, along with a hint of cola.  Fleshy and round, offering sweet black raspberry and candied cherry flavors, supple tannins and slow building spiciness.  Clings impressively on the finish and strongly repeats the cherry note." Josh Reynolds  90 Points Tanzer's International Wine Cellar May/June 09

 "Thea's Selection is a blend from blocks in each of Lemelson's vineyards.  Dark ruby in color, it offers spicy black cherry aromas with floral minty notes and a touch of vanilla and earth.  On the palate it exhibits ripe and flavorful red and plum fruit and sweet oak.  It also has a soft texture with a long lasting finish."  90 Points The International Wine Review April 2009

Lemelson 2006 Reserve Chardonnay in the press

"Sometimes a reserve designation on a Chardonnay simply translates to excessive use of new oak; here it brings a rich abundance of fruit, along with a density and texture rarely found in domestic Chardonnays.  This is a fruit salad of a wine, to be sure, running through a farmer's market worth of peaches, apples, pears, apricots, bananas and more.  But it also brings the butter, the butterscotch and the barrel toast, layered in and wrapped around the fruits so it has the richness of a banana split, and some of the creaminess as well.  Editors Choice" - P.G.  91 Points
Wine Enthusiast  December 15, 2008

Lemelson 2007 Dry Riesling in the press

"The 2007 Dry Riesling has a splendid floral, lemon-grass, and honey accented nose. Vibrant on the palate with a touch of citrus, this Mosel Kabinett-styled Riesling will evolve for several more years and drink well for a decade."   Jay Miller  -   90 Points   The Wine Advocate  August 2009

"Dry but not steely, fruity but not frivolous, this has depth and distinct character, offering layers of nectarine, pear and white peach that keep singing on the open-textured finish.  Drink now through 2012."   Harvy Steinman  -   90 Points   The Wine Spectator  December 15, 2008

"The term dry Riesling is unregulated and somewhat difficult to determine; some sweeter styles can taste dry, while some dry wines, such as this, carry a touch of sweetness in the fruit flavors.  Here the fruits mix kiwi, white peach and yellow plum; while there are following flavors of chamomile and lemon verbena, with suggestions of beeswax.  Sophisticated and nicely structured."  -  P.G.  90 Points
Wine Enthusiast  December 15, 2008