Winemaker Notes
A deep purple core with concentrated edges shows a distinct viscosity as the wine swirls slowly around the glass. It casually bursts with a potpourri of exotic fruits and alive energy. There’s sweet bark and loamy earth aromas reminiscent of forest floor and fresh rain, then a prickly pomegranate liqueur begins to take shape. This is quickly overtaken by a freshly cut straw essence and new French oak staves that are followed by a dash of naturally made cherry cola. Apple blossoms emerge, then fresh herbs arise that give way to a delicate raspberry scent that’s thrilling and exotic. So effusive, yet showing casual restraint as the aromas rise from the glass. The texture of this wine is spectacular, it immediately reveals that signature Jean-Nicolas Méo craftsmanship as the fabric of the wine bends and curves with tension and elasticity but never goes to far. Sweet hood river cherries take center position as the tangerine and blue fruit compote flavors take on a micro granular tannin design across your palate. As the wine begins to loosens and bend there’s a linseed and cassis nuance as it expands and shows off its immense structure while picking up its pace and momentum. It's dynamic, with a refreshing wetness but maintains a frame of intensity and power that all feels so organic, raw and natural. A long, complicated finish carries and pushes but still finds a way to be charming and graceful all at once.
Professional Ratings
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Jeb Dunnuck
With 26% new oak in this riper vintage, the bright red 2023 Pinot Noir L'Ensemble is sourced from all the vineyards they use. In the glass, it shows off notes of ripe cherries, forest herbs, pomegranate, pressed flowers, and fresh orange peel. Medium-bodied, it retains a lovely, refreshing nature in this warmer vintage, offering a lot of pleasure upfront, with a wide window for enjoyment over the next 8-10 years.
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Blended from across the sites in the Nicolas-Jay portfolio, the 2023 Pinot Noir L'Ensemble has slowly unfurling scents of bramble fruit, tea leaves, forest floor and mushrooms. The medium-bodied palate offers concentrated, spicy flavors. It’s framed by chalky tannins and bright acidity and has a long, nuanced finish. It will benefit from time in the cellar.
Barrel Sample: 93+ -
Vinous
A whiff of sweet lavender, basil and sage gives way to crushed wild strawberries and nuances of autumnal spice as the 2023 Pinot Noir L'Ensemble evolves in the glass. Ripe red and blue fruits soothe the senses, elevated by a cascade of inner florals, while a pulse of tantalizing acidity maintains fantastic energy. A sour citrus twang pinches at the cheeks as the 2023 tapers off with sweet herbal tones and a tinge of licorice that calls the taster back to the glass for more.
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Wine Spectator
This is a generous and spirited version, featuring a lively structure of black cherry and raspberry flavors accented by orange peel and dusky spices.
Home of some of the planet’s most amazingly elegant and expressive Pinot noir, the Willamette Valley is a pastoral, mixed landscape of green, bucolic rolling hills, dramatic forestlands and small, independent, friendly wine growers. As a leader in environmental stewardship, the valley has some of the nation’s most protective land use policies, with two-thirds of its vineyards farmed sustainably and over half, organically. While the valley claims a cool, continental climate, and is heavily influenced by the cold, moist winds of the Pacific Ocean, its warm and dry summers allow for the steady, even ripening of Pinot noir.
The potential of Willamette Valley Pinot noir continues to attract the investment of serious growers and winemakers both locally and from abroad, as naturally the finished wines bring accolades from professionals and enthusiasts. With a range of styles from delicate dried cherry, raspberry and hibiscus to stronger notes of truffle, mocha, plum and spice, a fine Willamette Valley Pinot noir is a perfect expression of both character and grace.