Lemelson Thea’s Selection Pinot Noir

From the winery:

As our house cuvée, Thea’s Selection is a blend of fruit sourced from all five of our organic, estate vineyards that span three different Willamette Valley AVAs.  As such, it is a wonderful representation of the vintage across all of our sites.  The nose is inviting and earthy with black cherry, black currant and plum fruit that is nuanced by subtle notes of black tea, chocolate, mushroom and lavender.  This wine is rich and supple with silky tannins and a juicy sweet core which transitions into a long finish that leaves the taste of brambly fruit on the palate.

Reviews from Acclaimed Wine Critics 

93 Points – James Suckling
“Dried herbs, spices, orange peel, wild strawberries and hints of pomegranates. Medium-bodied, vivid and silky on the palate, with delicious and refreshing fruit character. Lots of cherries and dried orange peel flavors. Drink or hold.”

92 Points – Wine Spectator
“Brisk and generous, with snappy cherry and pomegranate flavors highlighted by oolong tea and savory spices. Concludes with fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2031.”

92 Points – Clive Pursehouse, Decanter
“A cuvée cobbled together from Lemelson’s five organic estate sites, the 2021 Thea’s Selection shows an earthy elegance from the outset. Aromas of forest floor and evergreen tips meet candied raspberries and a kiss of spice from white pepper. The palate is elegant and framed with a savory umami character. Bright strawberries, hints of black tea and clove and a sweet cherry depth that carries the finish. This wine at $40 is a tremendous value.”

92 Points – Vinous
“A smoky blend of wild herbs, ground ginger and crushed raspberries smolders up from the 2021 Pinot noir Thea’s Selection.  It’s softly textured with cooling minerality and pure red berry fruits underscored by saline minerals.  Zesty acidity adds a liveliness through the finish as the 2021 tapers off to a long and spicy yet only lightly tannic.”

90 Points – Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast

90 Points – Jeremy Young, International Wine Report
“The 2021 Thea’s Selection saw 25% new French oak barrels for a total of 15 months and sports a shimmering neon ruby core with a silvery rim.  Starting off a touch earthy with notes of licorice root, mushroom, pink peppercorn, and dried bay leaf, it is a more earthy and spicy Pinot than its siblings.  The palate brings yummy black fruit and cedary herb aspects to the finish.”