Vineyard: Gran Moraine

AppellationYamhill-Carlton District

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2015 Siduri Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 2,200 cases, $36, screwcap. Sourced from Gran Moraine and GMW East vineyards. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black raspberry, purple rose, nutmeg and vanilla arrive with more vividness over time in the glass. Mid weight plus flavors of black cherry, black raspberry and blackberry in an intensely fruit-driven styled wine with a satiny mouthfeel and a bold charge of ripe fruit on the slightly astringent finish. Score: 90. Reviewed June 4, 2017 WINERY »

2014 Gran Moraine Estate Reserve Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $65. The Estate Reserve Vineyard surrounds the Gran Moraine Vineyard and consists of 35 acres planted in 2007 to a variety of Dijon and heritage clones. · Dark garnet color in the glass. The aromas of fresh dark fruits rise up over time in the glass. The onslaught of delicious black raspberry, blackberry and black cherry flavors are luscious and seductive. Big by Oregon standards, with great depth of fruit, but still charming along with a soothing texture. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the nose had taken on plenty of spice and floral aromas (my notes say “terrific”) and the wine had assumed a harmonious demeanor. I would cellar this wine for a couple of years to achieve full enjoyment. Still a good friend now. Score: 95. Reviewed May 7, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Gran Moraine La Première Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir

14.3% alc., pH 3.56, TA 0.64, 85 cases, $85. La Première is French for “the first.” Limited production. 100% Gran Moraine Vineyard. Depending on vintage, block and clone, grapes undergo a 3 to 10-day cold soak. Matured in 100% French oak barrels. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of dark berries, vanilla, spice and sweet oak blend together. Mid weight assortment of black fruit flavors are accented with notes of oak-driven smoke, tar and anise. Agreeable tannins and balanced acidity, with some length on the finish. A very good wine, but I wish it had slightly less oak influence. Score: 91. Reviewed May 7, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Gran Moraine Winery Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.55, 3,700 cases, $45. The first Gran Moraine vintage that winemaker Eugenia Keegan has produced vine-to-bottle. She has experience working with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Russian River Valley, Napa-Carneros, Burgundy and now Oregon’s Willamette Valley. This 198-acre vineyard was planted in 2005 to several Dijon clones and consists of over 80 blocks. Aged 10 months in 41% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Robust aromas of black cherry, cardamom spice and sweet oak. Lovely core of black cherry and black raspberry fruits overlain with oak-driven accents of black tea, char and tobacco, and framed by gently firm tannins. The finish is attenuated. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, drying oak still dominated the aromas and flavors. Time will integrate some of the oak overlay but this will always be a well-oaked wine. Score: 88. Reviewed January 17, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Beaux Frères Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Chardonnay

12.8% alc., 263 cases, $75. 100% Gran Moraine Vineyard planted in 2005 in Willakenzie soils. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Inviting aromas of lemon, pear, honey and roasted nuts. Demure, clean and bright, with juicy flavors of lemon, white peach and vanilla. Quite focused and harmonious, with well integrated acidity and a pleasingly succulent citrus-fueled finish. Score: 92. Reviewed July 9, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Seven of Hearts Willamette Valley Chardonnay

14.2% alc., 329 cases, pH 3.31, TA 0.72, $24. Gran Moraine and Willakia vineyards, clones 76, 95, 96. Aged in 50% neutral French oak and 50% stainless steel. · Moderately light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas of lemon curd, crabapple, and buttered brioche are echoed on the palate with added flavors of green apple and grapefruit. Crisp with bright acidity and a lip-smacking finish. Score: 87. Reviewed June 26, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Seven of Hearts Gran Moraine Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Chardonnay

13.3% alc., pH 3.28, TA 0.76, 73 cases, $32. Clone 76. Aged in 33% new French oak. · Light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Very appealing aromas of lemon zest, pear and subtle oak. An acid-driven, bright wine with satisfying flavors of lemon pie filling, pear, green apple and vanilla. Slightly creamy and easy to like. An excellent food wine. Score: 90. Reviewed June 26, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Cornerstone Willamette Valley White Label Chardonnay

13.5% alc., 300 cases, $40, screwcap. Sourced from Carabella Vineyard (Chehalem Mountains), and Gran Moraine and Willakia (Yamhill-Carlton). Dijon clones 76 and 95. Barrel fermented in French oak for 15 months, and 100% malolactic fermentation. · Moderately light golden straw color in the glass. Aromas of white-fleshed fruits, mango and a hint of gardenia. Bright, crisp and clean on the palate, with tasty flavors of lemon cake, pear, and apple backed by sound acidity. A note of mineral-driven flint and salinity is evident. Very easy to like, with appealing roundness. An excellent food wine. A good example of how far Oregon has come in producing world-class Chardonnay. Score: 91. Reviewed March 16, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Raptor Ridge Gran Moraine Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton District Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.4% alc., 127 cases, $45. Released November 2013. Willakenzie soils. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. The nose is extravagantly appointed with bright aromas of fresh black cherries, black berries and a hint of oak. Rich and sappy, but not jammy, with deep, mouth coating flavors of blackberries, black cherries and Hoison sauce with many additional nuances including spice, vanilla and cola. Very soft and luxurious on the palate with a firm, but not astringent tannic backbone, and a long, long finish. Still needs time to fully integrate the tannins but this wine is brimming with pleasure. Score: 94. Reviewed December 18, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2010 Raptor Ridge Gran Moraine Vineyard McMinnville Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., <200 cases, $38, screwcap. Released March 15, 2012. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. A relatively austere wine with hi-tone acidity. Aromas of dark berry preserves, sweet pea and resin. Tasty core of dark berries and black plum sauce with oak and a green thread running through. Light in weight with balanced tannins and a bright finish. Lively acidity really elevates this wine. Good. Reviewed January 19, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »