This has developed quite nicely, over the past 2 years. Translucent dark reddish purple color, with an enticing nose of dark plum, black raspberries and a hint of sweet vanilla. Soft mouthfeel. Moderate acidity and soft tannins. The only real weakness here (at least in the first 2 hours) was the somewhat short finish.
This was my fourth bottle in the past 9 months and all have been very nice – a solid 90 - 91 points. Drink now and forget about decanting – just pop and pour. I would put this on the ‘drink now’ list. I don’t foresee it getting much better, if any. My only regret is that I don’t have many more.
Greg;
Even though I’d only rate this a 88, I agree with your notes. It’s drinking very nicely now and will not improve with more age. I do believe it will continue to drink this way for at least three more years.
Lemelson does a great job and keep on drinking them!
I curious how these two thoughts fit together. Why do you think this wine is towards the end of it’s curve? Lack of tannins, and a short finish? I’ve had very bad luck with 05 OR pinot the last year or so, every bottle has seemed entirely shut down to me, though I guess the sample size is less than a half dozen or so.
Reading this again, it seems like I’m being confrontational, not intended. I’m really just wondering what makes you think this wine is destined for such a relative short life.
The Thea is Lemelson’s bottom end pinot. It’s built as a drink now wine. They have other wines that are built to age and cellar. This is an enjoyable bottle of wine that goes great with most pinot foods. Enjoy.
You are correct, most of my Oregon 05 “big boy” pinots are really shut down right now, and I’ve pushed them to the back of the cellar (about 10-12 cases). Most I think need at least another 3-5 years minimum to reach a better drinking window.
I have the patience and the cellar to do so. The 03s are drinking well right now as are the 04s, even though I am holding on to some of my 04s for awhile. The 03s Oregon pinots, drink and enjoy.
I generaly agree with Gordon. While not the bottom of the Lemelson Pinot line up (that would be the Six Vineyards Pinot Noir, I believe), the Thea’s is definately designed for early drinking. And it is driking very well. I had originally rated this 88 point, when tasted at the winery in June 2007. However, the bottles that I have drank in the past 9 months have, IMHO, been better than that.
Andrew: I don’t see you comments/question as confrontational. Basically, the tannins are well integrated and I have not noticed any changes (plus or minus) over the past 9 months. Thus, I don’t think that it will improve with additional age. I don’t see that as a bad thing, particularly since it is drinking so well right now. And, for the $23/bottle that I paid for this, I defininately wish that I had a few more bottles – especially since my wife loves the stuff! I am very jazzed about '05 Oregon Pinot’s. That being said, the big boys will need time. I’ve only touched very few of my own and agree with Gordon that another 3 to 5 years is in order. However, I had an '05 Cameron Clos Electrique in April 2008 and an '05 Arterberry Maresh in May 2009 (both at the Red Hills Provencial Dinner) that were fantastic.
Greg - Rich and I shared a bottle of this last summer, and it was quite nice at that point. Too bad that it was the last bottle of the 05 in the store…there were quite a few 06’s left, but I opted to leave them there.
Coming east any time soon? ![[cheers.gif]](/uploads/db3686/original/2X/0/0ff9bfcdb0964982cd3240b6159868fbdf215b1a.gif "cheers")
Scott – Actually, I was out your way last week, but schedule was a bit crazy and Rich and Joanne were busy on Tuesday/Wednesday evening. I expect to be back out in a few weeks. Hopefully, schedules will mesh. I’ve got a couple of new, and old, interesting things to through into a tasting.