2011 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Cuvée Laurene

There is a welcome (if, in one sense, too large) leap in quality from their basic “classique” bottling and Drouhin’s 2011 Pinot Noir Laurene. High-toned almond and pistachio extracts along with smoky black tea inflect the lightly cooked and distilled rhubarb, cherry and black raspberry on exhibit on the penetrating nose and silken yet tart-edged palate of this Pinot. There is a smoky barrel attribute and considerable underlying tannin but they are well-integrated and don’t detract from the juicy finishing flow of fruit. Hints of brown spice add stimulation, and I expect this to show even better by the time it is released in another year. It ought to be worth following through at least 2020. Aaron Bell reports that “yields were similar” in 2011 to 2010, “our approach was similar; we picked a few days later; the skins were thicker; and I think you’ll find more darkness style as well as of berry fruit, and a bit more spice.” Re-tasting the 2010s here I found my impressions entirely consistent with those I recorded in Issue 202. With new parcels coming on-line here, all of the Domaine Drouhin bottlings – i.e., even their intro-level Pinot Noir – will after next year be from estate fruit. (For considerable detail about the Drouhin vineyards; the approaches taken here; and the nature of the estate’s different cuvees, consult my Issue 202 introduction.) Tel. (503) 864-2700

Brilliant red. Vibrant red berry and spicecake aromas are deepened by notes of cola, sassafras and mocha. Silky, penetrating and lively, with excellent clarity to its raspberry and cherry flavors. Becomes more floral with air and finishes sweet, smoky and very long, with lingering spiciness and a suave floral pastille quality.