2011 Domaine Drouhin Oregon Pinot Noir Cuvée Louise

Domaine Drouhin’s small-volume prestige bottling 2011 Pinot Noir Louise – this year incorporating fruit from three sites on their property – is effusively scented with high-toned almond and pistachio extracts; distilled essences of gentian and hibiscus; and kirsch and framboise that have their sappy, juicy, fresh-fruited counterparts on a palate of silken refinement. Finishing with panache, energy, and undulating flavor layers, this beauty should merit following through at least 2025. 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