Le Cadeau Vineyard

Owner(s)	Deb Mortimer, Tom Mortimer
Web site	www.lecadeauvineyard.com

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Le Cadeau Vineyard is located on the southern tip of Parrett Mountain, near Newberg, OR in the Dundee Hills. This 14-acre, high-elevation (610’ – 725’), vineyard was developed and planted with a singular focus on growing distinctive, complex, estate Pinot Noir for Le Cadeau. Le Cadeau is known as "the rockiest vineyard in Oregon." It took a team of track-hoes, D-8 Cats, and tractors pulling assorted farm equipment more than two years to clear the raw land. But the effort and cost was worth it to owner Tom Mortimer who is a Burgundy freak. The advantage to planting vines in this rocky volcanic soil is that it promotes drainage, regulates temperatures, and reduces vine vigor--the result is small fruit clusters with little berries that produce rich, fragrant wines.

Four Pinot Noirs were produced from this vineyard in 2007 and 2008: Côte Est, Diversite, Rocheux and Equinoxe. The four wines are vinified by different and changing prominent Oregon winemakers (including names such as Steve Ryan, Josh Bergsgtrom, Cheryl Francis-Sam Tannahill, and Harry Peterson-Nedry), making for an interesting mix of wines from the same vineyard.

A second label, Aubichon, was introduced with the 2007 vintage. This offshoot is crafted by winemaker Jim Sanders, is made from non-estate fruit and is lower priced. The Le Cadeau wines have received high praise from the wine press since 2005. The wines are sold through a mailing list with some retail distribution. Tours and tasting by appointment (612-799-8969).

Articles About Le Cadeau Vineyard

Adventures Along the Pinot Trail, Part 3 (6.34 7/30/2007)
Le Cadeau Vineyard (5.52 10/2/2006)
Oregon Pinot Noir 2004 (6.15 2/12/2007)
Small Sips of Oregon Pinot (8.6 11/29/2009)
Small Sips of the Rest (6.52 1/30/2008)

Reviewed Wines

2007 Le Cadeau Vineyard Rocheux Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $47. Sourced from the west side of the Le Cadeau Vineyard and vinified by the Chehalem winemaking team including Henry Peterson-Nedry. · Scents of raspberries and plum, sage and herbs from Provence, and a hint of green veggies. Pleasing core of black cherries and plums with hints of cola, brier patch and green beans. Moderately firm in structure with noticeable tannins and a smooth mouth feel. Decent. Reviewed November 29, 2009 ARTICLE »

2005 Le Cadeau Vineyard Cote Est Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

Of the three, this one is the most fruit-forward and flashy. Pinot Noirs from this vineyard are long and intense with interesting dark fruit, mushroom and baking spice flavors. The texture here is soft, silky and sexy. Reviewed July 30, 2007 ARTICLE »

2005 Le Cadeau Vineyard Diversité Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $50. Cheryl Francis and Sam Tannahill craft this winemaker-designated cuvee. · Deep, dark ruby color. This is a dark, brooding style of Pinot Noir. Black fruits (plum, blackberry), earth and minerals are evident from start to finish. Full-bodied and straight-forward with a velvety texture. Fans of a bold, plush style will find interest in this wine. Reviewed January 30, 2008 ARTICLE »

2004 Le Cadeau Vineyard Coté Est Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.1%, $45. In 2004, three cuvees were made from the Le Cadeau Vineyard by three different winemaking teams. This one was made by the crew at Bergstrom Winery. The grapes were sourced from the east side of the vineyard. I featured this vineyard in a past PinotFile (Volume 5, Issue 52). Tom and Deb Mortimer are the dedicated owners and farmers of this vineyard. Only 480 cases of wine were produced in 2004. · I loved the assertive aromatics in this wine which offered ripe dark cherries, baking spices, and oak. This is a lush and voluptuous style with a velveteen texture. The wine finishes cleanly with powdered oak tannins, dark fruit, and a hint of alcoholic heat. A charmer. Reviewed February 12, 2007 ARTICLE »

2004 Le Cadeau Vineyard Diversité Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $45. A blend of diverse clones from the vineyard. Crafted by Cheryl Francis and Sam Tannahill. · Hint of ethyl acetate in the nose. Plenty of ripe dark fruits, moderate tannic backbone, lengthy finish. The structure trumps the fruit now but give it some time in the cellar. Reviewed February 12, 2007 ARTICLE »

2004 Le Cadeau Vineyard Rocheux Pinot Noir

13.9%, $45. Made by the winemaking team of Chehalem Winery. · Rich nose of stone fruits and wet leaves. Dry tannins and short finish spiked with oak. Reviewed February 12, 2007 ARTICLE »

2003 Le Cadeau Vineyard Oregon Pinot Noir

14.6% alc., 630 cases, $40. · This Pinot Noir is rich and vivid and reflective of the warm vintage in Oregon. A full and opulent nose of dark cherries, espresso, and oak really draws you in. There is a hint of alcohol which is not intrusive. The flavors echo the aromatics, with added raspberries and chocolate for good measure. There is detectable minerality at work here also. The mouth feel is plush and silky, the tannins finegrained. Oak treatment is very judicious. The finish features mouth coating chocolate-covered cherries and stone fruits that linger until the next sip. As the wine warms in the glass over time, the alcohol peeks out, so best to drink this one cool. This Pinot will appeal to those who prefer a fat and opulent style of Pinot Noir that is interesting to drink on its own or can match up with a big hunk of grilled beef. Reviewed October 2, 2006 ARTICLE »