Toluca Lane: Oregon Pinot Noir

Three Trees Lane
P.O. Box 273
Amity, OR 97101-0273
info@tolucalane.com

WINES & TASTING NOTES

2009 Toluca Lane Pinot Noir

The 2009 debuts with a vibrant plum color in the glass and shows off a bright clarity.

Aromas of plum and red cherries arise followed by a tinge of vanilla with soft violet florals. The ripe red fruit is partnered with an earthy "chewiness" as juniper berries hide in the background. The long big finish has a smooth texture and a rounded, gentle mouth feel as the red fruit lingers on.

We are affectionately dubbing this vintage "The Gambler's Final Hand" (All chips in) When we were doing the final blend of the 2009, it would not tolerate anything short of every barrel and even the small amount of topping wine. Clearly the best blend was "all in".

We produced 305 cases from our Toluca Lane Vineyard. The wine is unfined and unfiltered.

2008 Toluca Lane Pinot Noir (Sold Out)

This Pinot begins with a pleasing visual of luscious fushia and plum colors. Overall, it is extremely fruity, but not “jammy”.

It’s alluring perfume is filled with black currants, chocolate, soft caramel, white pepper, maybe some allspice and a hint of honeysuckle. The mid-palate evolves into dark currants and cherries, vanilla and caramel flavors with a smooth, silky texture. The aftertaste is vibrant on the palate with concentrated black, ripe fruit, a touch of allspice adding to it’s lingering finish with a splash of vanilla and tobacco. A few minutes later, the dark fruit re-emerges. Even though, the ‘08 is low in alcohol like our ‘07, there is good acidity offering backbone and balance to the fruit.

We produced 8 barrels that rested in 37% new French oak for 11 months. Our production of 2008 Toluca Lane Pinot Noir was just 191 cases.

2008 three trees lane (Sold Out)

The nose commences with an array of aromatics reminiscent of ripe black fruits, such as black currants and elderberries. The mid-palate continues to exude dark fruit, even mulberries and then onto earth and floral notes. The finish is full of even more ripe, black fruit with an underlying sense of “tender” oak. It is huge, but a low alcohol Pinot. It reveals bright acidity with immense fruit, but is silky smooth.

The winemaker is reminded of the famous description of great Burgundies: “An Iron Fist in a Velvet Glove”.

After tasting the 2008 during a 2 month period, we both agreed on the same single barrel! The barrel yielded 23 cases of Three Trees Lane Pinot Noir.

2007 Toluca Lane Pinot Noir (Sold Out)

The bouquet is filled with red cherries and vanilla, yielding to floral overtones of blossoms, soft lavender and a hint of rose petal. The mid-palate exhibits ripe, even redder cherries. There are good earth tones reflecting the terroir of the vineyard and a delicate minerality. The finish has a round almost velvety texture alluding to well balanced acids and tannins. The aftertaste continues to fill the palate with cherry blossoms and nuances of honeysuckle with a whisp of vanilla. These lovely flavors are retained in the mouth for 3-4 minutes!

The ‘07 is akin to our 2005 Pinot in that it is much more Burgundian in style and elegance.

As always, we do not fine or filter our wines. Our two small vineyards of estate fruit produced a mere 275 cases.

2006 Toluca Lane Pinot Noir (Sold Out)

The nose begins with a soft floral quality redolent of roses -- pink roses, soft vanilla aromas and a suggestion of caramel. The mid-palate flavors have hints of black raspberries, followed by chocolate and caramel. The structured finish is balanced and long with a delicate array of allspice, cassis, caramel and a nuance of white pepper.

We produced only 275 cases of the Toluca Lane 2006. Our Pinot Noir is unfined and unfiltered. The wine is drinking very well now and will continue to evolve for several years.

2006 three trees lane (Sold Out)

As many of you know, Three Trees Lane is not produced every year, only when we both agree on our two favorite barrels. The first production was in 2003.

Our process: We blind taste all of the barrels. Making our own separate notes, we then discuss and analyze what our palate dictates to be the two best barrels. This is done in three separate tastings each a month or two apart.

For the 2006, on each occasion we agreed on the same two barrels! After looking up our harvest notes to discern the source of the fruit. Again, as in 2003, it turned out to be the estate grapes from our tiny South vineyard. The two barrels yielded 49 cases of Pinot Noir.

The nose is lush with ripe black cherries, vanilla and a light floral scent. The mid-palate has flavors of blackberries, and explodes into violets, then segues into soft caramel with chocolate overtones. The finish is smooth and viscous with an unctuous caramel-port aftertaste.

As always, this wine is unfiltered and unfined.