TN: 2006 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Équinoxe (USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley)

WINE TALK
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2006 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Équinoxe - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (9/19/2009)
WIML92

Tasted September 19, 2009.

Opened and served immediately. Let it glass decant for two hours before tasting and it likely needed it. Dark garnet color in the glass, clear hue throughout. Floral nose of fresh flowers, briar patch, allspice, Red Hills dirt and black cherries. Soft and supple on the palate with flavors of berries, cherries and a bit of red licorice. Medium to bright acidity, medium tannins, medium body. Drink now with some air time or continue to hold over the medium term. (92 pts.)

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I tasted this yesterday (Wednesday) evening with Tom and Deb at the Le Cadeau vineyard. What a very nice way to end a fast paced day of tasting in the Northern Willamette Valley – along with a few other Le Cadeau Wines. Tom and Deb are great hosts! On to the wine . . . I agree with the note, except for the floral nose. The fact that this was the last bottle Tom opened and aeration time was limited, more than likely contributed to the reticent nose. My score would be a couple of points lower. Still very good, but I prefered the 2005 Diversite and 2007 Rocheaux.

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Joe, thanks for the note. I really like Le Cadeau. My 06 Equinoxes are all still in offsite storage and so, based on your note, I’ll leave them there.

Greg, I love the 05 Diversite. I’m trying to leave my 05 LeCadeaus alone. In fact, I bought more 05s (I think I originally got 6 of each cuvee) and bought less of the 07s.

Have either of you tried the Le Cadeau Red? I got 6 and have opened 2. The first was just ok and then a few months later I opened the second and it was significantly better. My wife who has a very good palate, took a sip of the second bottle not knowing ahead of time what it was and said it was a Le Cadeau. I thought that was pretty good.

Tom and Deb are ok too. [stirthepothal.gif]

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Mark – I agree with you on the '05’s. You may regret shorting the '07’s. The ‘07 Rocheux was rockin’ good on Wednesday night.

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We had the 07 Rocheaux last night. It was excellent. I went short on the 07s to spend more on some extra 05s I was able to source. Hmmm…I might need to find more 07s.

Mark