Lange Estate Winery and Vineyards

Owner(s) Don Lange, Jesse Lange, Wendy Lange
Web site www.langewinery.com
 
Link to this site
Lange Estate Winery and Vineyards

Don and Wendy Lange moved to Dundee from Santa Barbara and planted thirty acres of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris in 1987, establishing Lange Estate. The Pinot Noir, now in its third decade, is planted on its own roots and is Pommard and Wädenswil clones.

The couple were part of the second wave of winegrowing immigrants to Oregon. Wendy had a background in literature and ballet and Don was a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and an accomplished musician and songwriter. After moving to Oregon, they became enamored with the wines of Eyrie and Erath. They established their vineyard and winery on a meager budget, their success coinciding with the emergence of the Dundee Hills as a world-class area for Pinot Noir.

Don Lange was one of the first winemakers in the Willamette Valley to plant Pinot Gris and the first to produce a neutral-barrel French oak fermented Reserve Pinot Gris. In recent years, Don's son, Jesse,who studied at Lincoln University in New Zealand and Oregon State, gradually assumed much of the winemaking duties and took over completely in 2005 along with the added titles of general manager and director of vineyard management. Don and Jesse still work together on blending trials. Don's wife, Wendy, oversees the winery's picturesque tasting room and the business of the winery. The winery is certified by Low Impact Viticulture and Enology (LIVE).

The winery produces wines primarily from the estate vineyards but supplements their 18,000 case production with fruit from the surrounding area. Currently, there are a dozen different Pinot Noirs. The wines are consistently excellent and the Wine Enthusiast has proclaimed Lange Estate "One of the great Pinot Noir producers in the United States."

The Langes purchased two Dundee Hills estate vineyard sites, Mia Block and Redside to complement their original estate vineyard.

The wines are available on the website. A Dundee Hills tasting room with magnificent views of the Cascade Mountains is open daily.

Reviewed Wines

2015 Lange Estate Willamette Valley Cuvée Oregon Pinot Gris

13.5% alc., $18, screwcap. 95% fermented in stainless steel. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. Apple and pear fruit aromas and flavors lead the way in the straightforward wine that displays a smooth texture, lively acidity, and a tangy finish. Score: 87. Reviewed September 7, 2016 ARTICLE »

2015 Domaine Trouvere Indigene Dundee Hills Oregon

13.4% alc., 40 cases, $28, screwcap. This wine is possibly Pinot Gris but it drinks like a Pinot Blanc or Grüner Veltliner. The exact grape variety has not been determined. · Both tropical and stone fruit aromas and flavors. Crisp and acid-driven, with a bright finish. A very pleasant back porch wine. Score: 88. Reviewed September 7, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Lange Estate Willamette Valley Cuvée Oregon Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., $25, screwcap. · Light reddish purple hue in the glass. Notably nuanced, with aromas of black cherry, spice, hazelnut and chocolate. Forward drinking and enjoyable now, with mid weight flavors of black cherry and blackberry framed by slightly chalky tannins and sweet oak plying in the background. The wine leaves a favorable impression on the fruit-laden finish. Score: 89. Reviewed September 7, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Lange Estate Dundee Hills Oregon Reserve Pinot Gris

13.6% alc., 600+ cases, $28, screwcap. 60% estate fruit. Harvest Brix 22.5º. Fermented in neutral oak puncheons. A selections if the 25% best puncheons. · Very light golden yellow color in the glass. Both savory and fresh apple aromas lead to a highly enjoyable palate of fresh apple, pear, melon and pie spice flavors that sail on through the silky finish. Beautifully composed with a smooth and refined character. One of the Willamette Valley’s best examples of this varietal. Score: 93. Reviewed September 7, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Lange Estate Reserve Oregon Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $35. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Very shy nose that is quite primary. Much more expressive on the palate, with an explosion of black fruit flavors that impress the mid palate and finish with purpose. Silky in the mouth with a deft touch of oak. Definitely needs more time for full development. Score: 90-91. Reviewed September 7, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Lange Estate Three Hills Cuvée Willamette Valley Oregon Chardonnay

13.8% alc., $40, screwcap. Dijon clones, 25% malolactic fermentation, aged primarily in 3 to 6-year-old oak puncheons. · Aromas of fresh lemon juice, nutty oak and cut apple lead off. A charge of citrus and apple flavors alert the mid palate and finish with good length. Bright acidity and supportive oak lend pleasure. Score: 90. Reviewed September 7, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Lange Estate Three Hills Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $50. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Both fruity and savory on the nose, with aromas of black stone and berry fruits, along with sous-bois and graphite. Very suave and easy going on the palate, with a seductive core of dark red and black fruits that are framed by a touch of oak. Beautifully crafted in a welcoming style. Score: 92. Reviewed September 7, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Lange Estate Estate Dundee Hills Oregon Chardonnay

12.9% alc.,$65, screwcap. Mostly Dijon clone 95. · A step up from the Three Hills bottling, with more sophistication and more “minerality,” with less fruit centricity. Refined flavors of citrus and green apple, seamless composition, and spunky, but integrated acidity. Score: 93. Reviewed September 7, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Lange Estate Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Oregon Chardonnay

12.9% alc., $65, screwcap. Barrel fermented and aged, close to 100% malolactic fermentation. · Darker yellow color in the glass. Riper and richer fruit profile, featuring aromas and flavors of yellow apple, pear, lemongrass and pineapple. More fruit driven with supportive oak and spice, and a noticeably creamy and round mouthfeel. Score: 91. Reviewed September 7, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Lange Estate Estate Vineyard Dundee Hills Oregon Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $70. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Shy aromas of dark red and black cherries. Very classy in the mouth, with a middleweight core of dark red cherry and berry fruits, touched by a hint of edible flower. The tannins are more substantial but fine-grain in nature, and the finish is entirely seductive. Will improve in the cellar. Score: 92-93. Reviewed September 7, 2016 ARTICLE »

2014 Lange Estate Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir

14.1% alc., $70. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, spice, and dark chocolate draw the nose into the glass. The richest of the wines in the Lange lineup, with an arsenal of sappy black fruits matched with husky tannins. A masculine wine, that is yet nimble and charming, with a lovely texture and an energizing personality. Built for the long haul. Score: 93-94. Reviewed September 7, 2016 ARTICLE »

2012 Lange Estate Reserve Dundee Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., $35, screwcap. Estate grown. A barrel selection. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Restrained aromas of blackberry and black raspberry. More expressive on the palate with luscious blueberry, pomegranate, plum, black raspberry and spice flavors with a compliment of oak in the background. Round and polished with a soft, smooth mouth feel and a memorable fruit-driven finish. Score: 91. Reviewed January 23, 2015 ARTICLE »

2012 Lange Estate Willamette Valley Reserve Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., pH 3.75, TA 0.55, 3,700 cases, $35. Aged in 35% new French oak barrels, with the rest in 2 and 3-year-old barrels. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Reserved aromas of black fruits and toasty oak. Layers of black cherry and blackberry fruits envelope the palate with an added note umami shitake flavor. The texture is highly seductive, like touching purple satin. Nicely balanced with a silky and satisfying finish. Very enjoyable now, but should age beautifully. Score: 91. Reviewed September 29, 2015 ARTICLE »

2012 Lange Three Hills Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $38, screwcap. Sourced from Lange Estate, Freedom Hill and Yamhill vineyards. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. Inviting aromas of black raspberry, plum and espresso oak. Modest in weight, but packed with flavor, offering tastes of black raspberry, black cherry, and pomegranate with a touch of oak and dark chocolate. Welcoming softness in the mouth with admirable balance and good tannic bones for the long term. Score: 90. Reviewed January 23, 2015 ARTICLE »

2012 Lange Yamhill-Carlton Assemblage Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 200 cases, $70, screwcap. Sourced from vineyards with Willakenzie soils. · Dark reddish purple hue in the glass. Shy, but pleasant scents of ripe dark fruits. Full-bodied attack of dark berries with length and soothing flavor. The tannins are well matched and there is a good cut of underlying acidity. The finish is plush with boysenberry fruit. The nose was still shy the following day from a previously opened and recorked bottle indicating this wine needs more time in bottle. Score: 91. Reviewed January 27, 2015 ARTICLE »

2011 Lange Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.3% alc., $32, screwcap. 25th vintage (1987-2011). Winemakers Don and Jesse Lange choose the best barrels from premier vineyards. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. This wine is heavily shouldered with oak aromas and flavors. The mid weight core of dark cherry and berry fruits is compressed by rugged tannins. Not particularly appealing now, this wine may surprise in another year or two as many 2011 Willamette Valley Pinots have improved with time in bottle. Score: 87. Reviewed July 6, 2014 ARTICLE »

2009 Lange Three Hills Cuvee Willamette Valley Chardonnay

13.2% alc.. Debut release from three vineyards in the Northern Willamette Valley - Lange Estate Vineyard, Freedom Hill Vineyard, and Durant Vineyards. Partially fermented for 6 months in stainless steel and neutral French oak. All Dijon clones. · Similar in style to the winery’s Pinot Gris with bright, effusive fruitiness. Tropical fruit notes are prominent on the nose with hints of honeysuckle and Juicy Fruit. Bright and crisp on the palate with intense tutti fruiti, apple and citrus flavors rounding out a very refreshing wine. Good. Reviewed August 7, 2010 ARTICLE »

2009 Lange Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

12.9% alc., 900 cases, $22. Aged 5 months in neutral oak puncheons which lend weight and texture to the wine. Primarily sourced from Yamhill Vineyards with some Eyrie Vineyard fruit planted in 1984. The flagship white wine from Lange. · The aromatics are enticing, featuring scents of cut flowers, topical fruits and melons. Moderately rich on the palate with flavors of peaches and citrus zest with a mildly creamy mouth feel and a clean finish. A benchmark for Oregon Pinot Gris and a wine to cozy up to with roasted chicken or grilled salmon. Very good (+). Reviewed August 7, 2010 ARTICLE »

2008 Lange Estate Winery & Vineyards Freedom Hill Vineyard Eola- Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc.. · Very dark reddish purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of blackberry jam, purple grape, spice and rose petal. A full-bodied charge of boysenberry and blackberry fruits fill the mouth with astonishing fruit intensity. Monstrous tannins back the prodigious fruit and infuse the finish with some astringency. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was still monolithic, but the mouthfeel was smoother and the tannins less daunting. This is close to Syrah in character and atypical for Oregon. Decant it now if you want to pop the cork and pair it with a prime ribeye steak. Best to hold mid to long term. Score: 92-93. Reviewed February 8, 2015 ARTICLE »

2008 Lange Estate Winery & Vineyards Lange Estate Vineyard Dundee Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc.. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry pie glaze, boysenberry jam, conifer and dried herbs lead to a rich mouthful of sweet darker cherry and purple berry fruits. Still young, with somewhat daunting oak and tannin on the fruit-filled finish. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the fruit was more apparent and pleasing and the wine was slightly more supple. Hold mid to long term in the cellar. Score: 90-91. Reviewed February 8, 2015 ARTICLE »

2008 Lange Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.7% alc., 1,500 cases, $32. Released November 1, 2009. Aged 11 months in 40% new French oak. Comprised of the most complex wines in the cellar, this is a multi-vineyard wine. All twelve vineyard sites are contributors which includes every soil type in the Willamette Valley and several appellations. · Lovely aromas of dark red berries, cherries and a hint of nuts and alcohol. Rich and full-bodied on the attack with flavors of red plums, dark berries, cola and coffee. Caressing tannins and a silky texture with some fruity persistence on the finish. Good. Reviewed August 7, 2010 ARTICLE »

2008 Lange Three Hills Cuvee Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 720 cases, $40. Released May 1, 2010. A blend of grapes from Lange Estate Vineyard, Freedom Hill Vineyard and Yamhill Vineyards (1/3 each). This bottling debuted in 1997. Aged 12 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Moderately deep reddishpurple color in the glass. Very pretty aromatics featuring black cherries, black raspberries, savory spices and a hint of seasoned oak. Very tasty, even decadent flavors of darker red fruits with hi-toned spiced cherry and red licorice notes. Moderately rich with fine, sandy tannins and bright acidity. Can easily be drunk now, but will be even better with more bottle age. Very good. Reviewed August 7, 2010 ARTICLE »

2008 Lange Estate Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 250 cases, $60. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Welcoming aromas of black plums, dark cherries, cassis, forest floor and damp earth. Soil-inflected core of intensely flavored black plum fruit that is beginning to shed its baby fat. Since last tasted in 2010, the tannins have become softer, the oak has faded into the background, and the wine is exhibiting an amazingly long finish with a pleasingly bright cut of acidity. The wine has the balance for long-term aging. Put on your big boy pants when you open this one. Reviewed January 12, 2012 ARTICLE »

2008 Lange Estate Vineyard Dundee Hills Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 295 cases, $60. Released May 1, 2010. Aged 12 months in 50% new French oak barrels. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Very complex aromatics that constantly change in the glass revealing a diverse perfume of dark fruits, baking spices, underbrush, toast and smoke. Charming dark red and black fruit profile with well integrated oak toast and spice. Impressive persistence on the aromatic finish that sails along. Big, yet more demure than the Freedom Hill bottling with more emphasis on redder fruits. Beautifully composed with welcoming harmony. Definitely needs more time but can be a dinner table centerpiece with decanting. It is wines like this that make Pinot my paramour. Reviewed August 7, 2010 ARTICLE »

2008 Lange Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 250 cases, $60. Released May 1, 2010. Lange has been sourcing fruit from Freedom Hill Vineyard since 1990 and began making its namesake single-vineyard Pinot Noir in 1996. Typically, the wines from this vineyard have more structure and tannins, making it a very age worthy wine. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Restrained aromas of black cherries and blackberries on the nose with smoky oak taking charge. Big and juicy, thick and viscous, with serious fruit intensity. Dark fruits dominate the profile with an underlying earthiness. Mildly firm tannins reel in the massive fruit, and should soften with aging. This is a huge wine that will make many California Pinots seem wimpy by comparison. Needs time to shed its oak, integrate the tannins, and tame the explosion of fruit. An amazing gulp of old vines fruit. Ride this wine to heaven in a few years. Reviewed August 7, 2010 ARTICLE »

2007 Lange Estate Winery and Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

12.4% alc., screw cap. · Pale yellow color. Scents of apples, nuts and banana lead to flavors of pear, apple and nuts. Light and friendly with a silky mouth feel and bright acidity. Reviewed March 26, 2009 ARTICLE »

2007 Lange Estate Winery & Vineyards Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.2% alc., 5,500 cases, $24. Don and Jesse Lange craft stellar Pinot Noirs from estate vineyards in the Dundee Hills. This wine is an assemblage of all the Lange Estate North Willamette Valley vineyard sites. Aged 9 months in 10% new French oak. · A redder profiled wine typical of Dundee Hills. Pleasing accents of oak, herbs and orange peel. Smooth textured with mild tannins and a refreshingly brisk finish. No rough edges. The Reserve bottling priced at $32 is also a superb wine with more fruit intensity and tannin and is built for more years in the cellar. Reviewed March 26, 2009 ARTICLE »

2007 Lange Estate Winery & Vineyards Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc.,1,300 cases, $32. Composed of the best barrels from multiple vineyards. Aged 10 months in 30% new French oak barrels. Don and Jesse Lange are the winemakers. · Red-fruited nose with compliments of seasoned oak and herbs echoed in the flavors. Juicy with lively acidity and moderate fine grain tannins. Much better when tasted the next day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Short-term cellaring is advised. Reviewed March 26, 2009 ARTICLE »

2006 Lange Estate Winery and Vineyards Lange Estate Vineyard Dundee Hills Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 285 cases, $60. Yields were 2 tons per acre. Aged 13 months in 40% new French oak. · Bright red cherry and rose petal aromas. Juicy and succulent red cherry and raspberry fruit coat the mouth with hints of dust and Xmas spice and ending in a long, scented finish. The whole package is impressively harmonious. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »

2001 Lange Estate Winery and Vineyards Salud Cuvee Pinot Noir

A Salud cuvee. An older bouquet of light berry fruit, raisin and a touch of oak. Herbs and berries are featured and persisting an a dry aromatic finish. Reviewed --/--/--

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