2018 Lenné Estate Cinq Elus Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., pH 3.79, TA 0.58, 125 cases, $78. Released 9/1/20. The name, cinq élus, means ’five select’ and is a blending of the single best barrel of all five of the Pinot Noir clones planted in the Estate Vineyard. This is the winery’s finest wine and is only produced in exceptional vintages. Steve recommends a minimum of six years of aging as this wine will take longer than the other wines to evolve.. 100% de-stemmed, 5-day cold soak, aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 80% new. · Dark garnet color in the glass. The nose evolves slowly in the glass to reveal aromas of black cherry, cassis and baking spices. Reclusive on first approach, grudgingly revealing mid-weight plus flavors of blackest cherry, black raspberry and purple berries with an interesting riff of Mexican hot chocolate. Redeeming balance with of grip of tannin to insure age ability. More giving and luscious when tasted the following day from a previously opened bottle, displaying the longest finish of all of the 2018 offerings. I have to give this wine extra credit for potential as it is currently tight. Cellar for six years for the full experience. Score: 95. Reviewed January 17, 2021

Winery: Lenné Estate
From article: Lenné Estate