I am always amazed at what people can do with what they have. This is especially true when it comes to wine. Some of the best wines come from the smallest producers. And, in my humble opinion, the best wines that I have ever tasted come from the smallest vineyard that I know ... Privé Vineyard.
Privé is a vineyard consisting of two acres located in the Chehalem Mountains, which is part of Oregon's Willamette Valley. The owners -- Mark and Tina Hammond -- purchased the property, consisting of a run-down house and those two acres, which grew Muller Thurgau grapes. The Hammonds grafted those vines over to Pommard clones, and built up a beautiful vineyard. The two acres of grapes now produce three Pinot Noir wines, appropriately named "Le Nord" (produced from the grapes grown on the Le Nord acre), "Le Sud" (produced from the grapes grown on the Le Sud acre), and Joie de Vivre, which is a reserve wine. (The Hammonds also produce a dessert wine ... a Port made with Pinot Noir grapes.)
I have reviewed a few of those Pinot Noir wines in the past, such as the 2006 and 2008 vintages of the Le Nord, as well as the 2008 vintage of the Le Sud and the 2008 vintage of the Mélange. We enjoy Privé wines so much that we have a standing order. We purchase a few bottles each year and cellar those bottles. The bottles await a special occasion or a moment when we want one of the best Pinot Noirs out there.
Privé is a vineyard consisting of two acres located in the Chehalem Mountains, which is part of Oregon's Willamette Valley. The owners -- Mark and Tina Hammond -- purchased the property, consisting of a run-down house and those two acres, which grew Muller Thurgau grapes. The Hammonds grafted those vines over to Pommard clones, and built up a beautiful vineyard. The two acres of grapes now produce three Pinot Noir wines, appropriately named "Le Nord" (produced from the grapes grown on the Le Nord acre), "Le Sud" (produced from the grapes grown on the Le Sud acre), and Joie de Vivre, which is a reserve wine. (The Hammonds also produce a dessert wine ... a Port made with Pinot Noir grapes.)
I have reviewed a few of those Pinot Noir wines in the past, such as the 2006 and 2008 vintages of the Le Nord, as well as the 2008 vintage of the Le Sud and the 2008 vintage of the Mélange. We enjoy Privé wines so much that we have a standing order. We purchase a few bottles each year and cellar those bottles. The bottles await a special occasion or a moment when we want one of the best Pinot Noirs out there.
My beautiful Angel and I recently opened a bottle of the Le Nord (2013). The Le Nord pours a deep garnet or burgundy red. The burgundy is suggestive of the fruit elements in both the aroma and the taste. The elements suggest cherries, raspberries and even some cranberries. Other elements are a little earthier in nature, such as what the winemakers suggest, "clean earth."
The taste of the Le Nord reminds me of what makes Oregon Pinot Noir one of my favorite styles of wine. The Le Nord carries forward the berries in the aroma, with a nice combination of ripe raspberries and cranberries. The berries are balanced with the notes of ground dried mushrooms.
Because there is only 1 acre of vines used to produce the Le Nord, the wine is available only on futures. More information can be found at Prive Vineyard. The wine is definitely worth the effort, especially if you are looking for a great Pinot Noir for a holiday or special occasion, such as Thanksgiving and/or Christmas.
ENJOY!
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