Vineyard: Elle Rêve

OwnerLaura Volkman
AppellationChehalem Mountains
VarietiesPinot Noir

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2009 Laura Volkman St. James Estate Oregon Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., pH 3.70, 320 cases, $25. · A blend of Rachel and Jacob blocks of the vineyard. No new oak. Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Very nicely composed perfume of black cherries, baking spice and subtle herbal oak. A solid wine with appealing flavors of dark red stone and berry fruits with underpinnings of herbs, tea and tobacco. Very bright acidity leaves a refreshing impression on the short finish. A perfect wine for enjoying now at the dinner table. Good (+). Reviewed November 30, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Laura Volkman Rachel Estate Oregon Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., pH 3.70, 125 cases, $40. Pommard, 667 and 114 clones. Aged on the lees in 35% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. I had to look up some superlatives for this one. The perfume reminds me of the first crop of fresh berries in the early summer covered in vanilla pastry creme. Silky and elegant on the palate with well-mannered fine grain tannins and intensely flavorful core of black cherries, raspberries, sandalwood, vanillin, herbs and spice brought into focus with a good cut of acidity. The most appropriate superlative I could find was “heavenly.” Reviewed November 30, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Laura Volkman Jacob Estate Oregon Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., pH 3.70, 125 cases, $50. Clones 777, 115 and 114. Aged on the lees in 35% new French oak barrels. · Moderately intense reddish-purple color in the glass. Reserved, but seductive aromas of dark plum reduction sauce, blackberries, shaved oak and truffle. More intense than the Rachel Estate, with a plethora of darker fruit flavors including plum, blackberry and cassis that hang around on the palate and keep on giving on the long, long finish. An underlying earthy quality adds interest and supple tannins make for easy drinking. A hunk with charm. Reviewed November 30, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Laura Volkman St. James Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $25. Named after Laura’s husband, Jim. A blend of all blocks in the vineyard. · Scents of black cherries, allspice, pine pitch and the faintest oak. Moderately generous flavors of cherries, berries and red licorice. Soft in the mouth with supple tannins. A short-term easygoing wine at a fair price. Good. Reviewed June 22, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Laura Volkman Rachel Estate Oregon Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 100 cases, pH 3.74. $40. A blend of Pommard, 667 and 114. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Demure but alluring perfume of perfectly ripe black cherries and black raspberries, cut flowers and a swirl of spice. The nose is flat-out great. Medium-weighted and lush mixed dark red berry fruit coats the palate, expands in the mouth and lingers on the long finish. The ripe tannins are noticeable, yet not imposing. More sap than the 2009 vintage, but less giving at this stage. This wine is very seductive now, but will ultimately be a bombshell. Reviewed November 30, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Laura Volkman Jacob Estate Oregon Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $50, 100 cases, pH 3.74, sold out at winery. Blend of clones 777, 115 and a small amount of Pommard. Aged in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Enticing aromas of spiced berry jam and crushed cherries with a loamy note in the background. Moderately intense and flavorful with noticeably ripe, dark mixed berry fruits framed by firm tannins, finishing with bright acidity, a riff of savory herbs, and some aromatic persistence. Needs more time to integrate the tannins, but this wine will always have a tannic presence. The fact that this wine is sold out indicates high consumer regard for this wine. Very good. Reviewed November 30, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Laura Volkman Jacob Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $50. From estate grown fruit in the East Block of the vineyard containing Dijon clones 777, 115 and 114. Barrel aged on the lees in 50% new French oak. · An alluring nose of exotic scents including dark red raspberries, rose petals, Asian spices and seasoned oak. A challenge to describe adequately. Very tasty essence of fresh fruits including plums, berries and pomegranates veering more to the purple spectrum. Ridiculously silky and almost ephemeral, like swallowing flavored air. A wonderful wine with mature dry tannins perfectly balanced by the ripe fruit and lively acidity. Will provide several years of drinking enjoyment. Reviewed June 22, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Laura Volkman Vineyards Rachel Estate Oregon Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., 95 cases, $38. Raised in 50% new French oak. This wine has been slow to open and was only released in May 2009. Composed of 114, 667 and Pommard clones. · Demure aromas of confected cherries and red raspberries, brioche, hay and spice. Packed with deep red fruit flavors augmented with subtle oak and some earthiness. Very silky and diaphanous. Ripe tannins enhance the structural integrity and the finish has a pleasing grip of acidity. Still not at its apogee, but a very promising feminine-styled Pinot. Reviewed August 17, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2007 Laura Volkman Vineyards Jacob Estate Oregon Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 120 cases, $45. Clones 114, 115 and 777. Barrel aged on the lees in 50% new French oak. · Moderately light reddish-purple in color. More intensity and richness with more tannins than the Rachel Estate. Not as plush or big-boned as the 2006 vintage but plenty to like. Flamboyant scents of black cherries and black raspberries with hints of oak and cigar box. Packed with dark berry and stone fruit flavors augmented nicely with toasty oak. Hints of citrus peel, cola, root beer and spice add interest. Like all of Laura Volkman wines, the finish has remarkable persistence. A more masculine interpretation of the vineyard that is singing nicely now. Reviewed August 17, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Laura Volkman Vineyards St. James Estate Private Reserve

14.4% alc., $30. She says this “cute little cuvee was made for my husband but it’s too good to drink all by himself.” Several Dijon clones with a small amount of Pommard blended in. · On the nose there are dark red fruits, a little good funk, and a hint of oak. Brisk and lively in the mouth with spiced cherries and berries and a complimentary citrus note. Very clean mouth feel. Perfectly fine. Reviewed January 30, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Laura Volkman Vineyards Rachel Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 100 cases, $38. From the west block of the Volkman Vineyard, clones 114, 667 and Pommard. The 114 provides the aromatic floral component and the 667 imparts a certain femininity. One type of yeast is used to create a more fruity profile and a Burgundian yeast to create a drier finish. · Everything is perfectly in order here. Black cherries, truffle and barnyard in the aromas, soft black cherry fruits delicately spiced on the palate. Very elegant and demure with the kind of plush and velveteen texture that only great Pinot Noir can offer. All I could do was shake my head and smile after tasting this one. Reviewed April 7, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Laura Volkman Vineyards Jacob Estate Oregon Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 200 cases, $42 (a few cases remain). Clones 114, 115 and 777 from the East block of the Volkman Vineyard. Yeasts were manipulated to produce a richer wine. · The nose is quite subdued today featuring dark fruits and damp earth. Deliciously rich berry fruit that is supported by a fine tannin structure. Impeccable balance with a cherry and berry charged finish that leaves a lasting impression. Reviewed August 17, 2009 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Laura Volkman Vineyards Jacob Estate Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 200 cases, $42. This is the Volkman “flagship” wine sourced from the east block of the Volkman Vineyard. The clones are 114, 115 and 777. Yeasts were manipulated to produce a more edgy wine. · The aromas are very enticing and include fresh-baked cookies, Bing cherries, and chocolate. I went ga-ga over the aromatics and would have been perfectly happy just to smell this wine. But when you taste it, you are led on a journey of pleasure featuring red Pinot fruits with terrific grip and edginess and a lavish black cherry finish that comes and goes in waves. This is the kind of wine that makes you wonder how mere grapes could ever have made such nectar. Reviewed April 7, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »