Vineyard: Luminous Hills

OwnersByron Dooley, Dana Dooley
AppellationYamhill-Carlton District
Story12 acres of Pinot Noir, both Willakenzie and Jory soils, clones 115, 667, 777 and Pommard.
VarietiesPinot Noir

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2014 Luminous Hills Estate Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., pH 3.59, TA 0.60, 421 cases, $35. Clones 115, 667, 777 and Pommard from six blocks, volcanic and sedimentary soils. Aged in French oak barrels, 23.5% new. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Shy aromas of oak-kissed fruit lead off. The mid weight black cherry and blueberry flavors are long in the mouth as well as persistent on the cleansing finish. Silky in texture, the wine has some lingering oak influence that should subside with more time in bottle. Score: 90. Reviewed July 9, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Luminous Hills Estate ASTRA Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir

13.1% alc., pH 3.55, TA 0.61, 123 cases, $42. Clones are 667 (40%, volcanic soil) and 115 (60%, sedimentary soil). Aged in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is reticent upon opening, offering slow evolving aromas of black cherry, cowhide and mulch. Noticeably vibrant, featuring light to mid weight flavors of dark red and purple fruits encased in silky tannins. Inviting harmony and refinement, with a very special finish rendering delicious spiced cherry goodness. Score: 92. Reviewed July 9, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Luminous Hills Estate LUX Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir

13.5% alc.,pH 3.58, TA 0.57, 149 cases, $42. 67% Pommard (sedimentary soil) and 33% 777 (volcanic soil). Aged in French oak barrels, 16.7% new. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is quite earthy, with aromas of sod and mulch complimenting the smell of purple grapes and boysenberries. A bolder, stylish offering, showing an intense attack of black cherry and boysenberry flavors framed by firm but balanced tannins, and finishing long with a generous wave of juicy fruit embellished with a touch of oak. Score: 91. Reviewed July 9, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Seven of Hearts Very Special Reserve Oregon Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., pH 3.53, TA 0.68, 123 cases, $75. 40% Luminous Hills Vineyard, 20% Armstrong Vineyard, 20% Bjornson Vineyard and 20% Lia’s Vineyard. 40% 115, 30% Pommard, 20% 777 and 10% Wädenswil. 40% whole clusters. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Light cherry red color in the glass. The array of aromas are quite pleasing and persistent, consisting of cherry, strawberry, sandalwood and caramelized oak. On entry, there is more explosion of red fruit flavor than one would expect from the light color. There is plenty of spice from the whole cluster, but no herbal character. The wine is deftly balanced, with a satiny texture and the majestic finish lingers with succulent acidity. Not the biggest wine in the Seven of Hearts lineup, but the generous finish separates it from others in the lineup. Score: 93. Reviewed July 9, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Seven of Hearts Willamette Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., pH 3.44, TA 0.72, RS 0.157%, 126 cases, $15. Grapes sourced from Luminous Hills Vineyard (Pommard) and Armstrong Vineyard in the Ribbon Ridge AVA (Wädenswil and 777). Blocks were farmed specifically for Rosé, macerated for 8 days at a cold temperature, then pressed off and fermented in neutral French oak barrels where the wine was aged for 6 months before bottling. · Moderate reddish pink color in the glass. A pleasing wine with aromas and flavors of strawberry, cherry and blood orange. Bright and refreshing with enough body to stand up to more substantial foods. Score: 87. Reviewed June 26, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Luminous Hills Estate Grown Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

12.5% alc., pH 3.57, TA 0.61, 347 cases, $35. The “silver label” Luminous Hills blend draws from the entire vineyard and includes 115, 667, 777 and Pommard. Aged in 100% French oak barrels, 25% new. · Light reddish purple color in the glass. Rather savory on the nose, with aromas of wild strawberry and leaf. Modest in weight, but flavorful, with notes of strawberry, cherry, red raspberry and Damsel plum. Light on its feet, with a lip-smacking, citrus-infused finish. Score: 89. Reviewed September 3, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Luminous Hills Estate Grown Astra Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

12.7% alc., pH 3.58, TA 0.63, 98 cases, $42. Small production for the first time since 2009. Emphasizes 667 on Jory volcanic soil and 115 on sedimentary soil. An expression of the eastern portion of the vineyard. Aged in 100% French oak barrels, 25% new. · Light cherry red color in the glass. Pleasant perfume of fresh cherries, and dried rose petal. Good mid palate attack of red fruit with sinew, accented with a riff of spice and oak. The tannins and acidity are nicely folded in, and the red cherry-fueled finish is delightful. Tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the aromatics were still bright and the juicy red fruit driven flavors appealing. This wine has the balance to age beautifully. Score: 90. Reviewed September 3, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2013 Luminous Hills Estate Grown LUX Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

12.7% alc., pH 3.58, TA 0.62, 147 cases, $42. Select lots of Pommard and 777. Aged in 100% French oak barrels, 33% new. · Light cherry red color in the glass. Bright aromas of red cherry, brown spice and sandalwood. Similar to Astra, but with a little more fruit intensity and spice pleasure. Nicely balanced, with flavors of black cherry, cranberry and root beer framed by a vigorous tannic backbone and a brisk cut of acidity. Still very enjoyable the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 91. Reviewed September 3, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Seven of Hearts Willamette Valley Rosé Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., RS 0.14%, 126 cases, $15. Sourced from Luminous Hills, Armstrong and Lia’s vineyards. · Medium pink watermelon in color in the glass. Bright aromas of fresh strawberries, watermelon and peach with a hint of pastry cream. Not a wimpy rosé, but one with a little heft and backbone offering bright flavors of strawberries and cherries and a finish that is crisp and refreshing. The perfect summer BBQ wine. Very good. Reviewed June 23, 2013 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Seven of Hearts Very Special Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.0% alc., pH 3.57, TA 0.59, 126 cases, $75. This wine is only made in very special vintages. From Luminous Hills, Armstrong, Lia’s and Durant vineyards. 33% whole cluster fermented. Aged in 23% new French oak. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Extroverted nose offering aromas of wild berries and exotic spices. Forceful and assertive on the palate, yet elegant, with a perfectly ripened core of berry fruit still mildly compressed by tannins. Similar to the Special Reserve, but more aloof at this stage. An ethereal wine that oozes pinotosity. Score: 95. Reviewed June 26, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Luminous Hills Aura Rosé of Pinot Noir Estate Grown Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

12.8% alc., residual sugar 0.18%, $21. Released April 6, 2012. Pommard and 777 clones. Aged in 67% neutral French oak barrels. A combination of direct press and saignée off the lots from the same sections of the vineyard. · Very pretty pink-orange color in the glass. Aromatically pleasing with scents of fresh strawberries and raspberries with a hint of pink grapefruit. Delicate but flavorful, with a mild refreshing tartness. The core of strawberry, raspberry, and blood orange flavors is framed by discreetly firm tannins and the dry finish has surprising length. A serious rosè that has some perseverance. Very good. Reviewed May 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Luminous Hills Estate Grown Yamhill-Carlton District Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., 357 cases, $28. Released February 24, 2011. Clones 667 from higher elevation volcanic Jory soils on the site and 115 and Pommard clones from the lower elevation sedimentary sites. 20% whole cluster fermentation (including 100% whole cluster Pommard), native yeast fermentation, aged in 23% new French oak barrels, unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of summer red fruits with hints of cedar and rose bouquet. Light on its feet, with tasty red berry and cherry flavors, complimentary oak highlights, and an aromatically floral finish. A discreetly composed and charming wine. Very Good. Reviewed August 13, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Luminous Hills Estate Grown Yamhill-Carlton District ASTRA Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., 98 cases, $35. Released May 1, 2011. Released February 24,, 2011. 60% clone 667 from higher elevation volcanic soils and 40% 115 from lower elevation sedimentary soils. 60% whole cluster, native yeast fermentation, aged in 23% new French oak barrels, unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish purple hue in the glass. Very shy nose with demure aromas of red stone fruits and spice. A carnival of charming black cherry and black raspberry fruit floods the palate and brings it to attention. This is one of those wines that you taste and then just look at the glass, astonished that such flavor could originate from the liquid in the glass. Clean and polished with an ephemeral presence, ending with a generously fruity finish that leaves a touch of heat in its wake. Reviewed August 13, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Luminous Hills Estate Grown Yamhill-Carlton District LUX Pinot Noir

15.0% alc., 147cases, $35. Released February 24, 2011. Primarily Pommard clone from the lower elevation sedimentary soils (66%) with 777 from the higher elevation volcanic soils in a supporting role (33%). 50% whole cluster fermentation, aged in 23% new French oak barrels, unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Flamboyant aromas of fresh red berries with Asian 5-spice. Well-endowed flavors of dark red cherries and berries with a firm tannic backbone. Similar to the ASTRA but more darkly fruited. Impressive persistence on the memorable finish. Despite the high alcohol, the fruit is neither over ripe or roasted in character. Very Good (+). Reviewed August 13, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Luminous Hills Yamhill-Carlton District Estate Grown Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., 142 cases, $30. · Plenty of oak character in the nose augmenting the cherry and rose petal aromas. Tasty essence of raspberry coulis with some oak-derived mocha and cherry Life Saver flavor. Soft in the mouth with the fruit displaying a persistent grip and brightness from lively acidity. Good. Reviewed December 14, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »