Lange Estate Winery & Vineyards
Don and Wendy Lange are part of the California contingent who moved to Oregon from California to pursue
winemaking. Wendy had a background in literature and ballet, and Don was a graduate of the Iowa Writers’
Workship and an accomplished folk musician and songwriter. Representing the second wave of winegrowing
immigrants to Oregon, they bought a property in Dundee in 1987, and in 1988 planted 30 acres of Pinot Noir,
Chardonnay and Pinot Gris at Lange Estate. They established their vineyard and winery on a meager budget,
their success coinciding with the emergence of the Dundee Hills as a world class region for Pinot Noir.
Don was one of the first winegrowers in the Willamette Valley to succeed with Pinot Gris and the first to
produce a neutral barrel French oak fermented Reserve Pinot Gris. His affinity with fly fishing led to the image
of a fishing fly on the winery’s labels.
The Mia Block (15 acres) adjacent the original estate vineyard was acquired in 2003 and first planted with Pinot
Noir in 2004. Redside Vineyard (15 acres) was bought in 2006 and first planted in 2007 to Pinot Noir. All 60
acres of estate vineyards are flourishing in red volcanic (Jory and Nekia) soils.
The second generation, Jesse Lange, studied enology and viticulture in New Zealand and Oregon State. He
gradually assumed much of the winemaking duties and took over completely in 2005 along with the added
titles of general manager and director of vineyard management. Don and Jesse continue as a father and son
duo to collaborate on blending trials and other winemaking decisions. Jesse is young, athletic, chiseled and
energetic, Don is more laid back with an infectious smile and laugh and a humble demeanor.
The winery tasting room, with breathtaking views of the Cascade Mountain Range, is open daily. As part of the
Willamette Valley’s old guard, Lange Estate wines are consistently reliable and often outstanding. Lange Estate
currently produces 4 Chardonnays and 20 Pinot Noirs. A second label, Domaine Trouvere, concentrates on
Rhone and Italian varietals. Visit www.langewinery.com to see the variety of tasting experiences available. The
Langes recently opened a wine bar, coffee and sandwich cafe in downtown Dundee as part of the Red Hills
Market complex.
2015 Domaine Trouvere Indigene Dundee Hills Oregon
13.4% alc., 40 cases, $28, screwcap. This wine is
possibly Pinot Gris but it drinks like a Pinot Blanc or Grüner Veltliner. The exact grape variety has not been
determined.
·
Both tropical and stone fruit aromas and flavors. Crisp and acid-driven, with a bright finish. A very
pleasant back porch wine.
Score: 88
2015 Lange Estate Willamette Valley Cuvée Oregon Pinot Gris
13.5% alc., $18, screwcap. 95% fermented
in stainless steel.
·
Light golden yellow color in the glass. Apple and pear fruit aromas and flavors lead the way in
the straightforward wine that displays a smooth texture, lively acidity, and a tangy finish.
Score: 87
2014 Lange Estate Dundee Hills Oregon Reserve Pinot Gris
13.6% alc., 600+ cases, $28,
screwcap. 60% estate fruit. Harvest Brix 22.5º. Fermented in neutral oak puncheons. A selections if
the 25% best puncheons.
·
Very light golden yellow color in the glass. Both savory and fresh apple
aromas lead to a highly enjoyable palate of fresh apple, pear, melon and pie spice flavors that sail on
through the silky finish. Beautifully composed with a smooth and refined character. One of the
Willamette Valley’s best examples of this varietal.
Score: 93
All Chardonnays are produced from Dijon clones: 3 acres of Estate Vineyard, 2 acres at Durant Vineyard, and
2 acres at Freedom Hill Vineyard.
2014 Lange Estate Three Hills Cuvée Willamette Valley Oregon Chardonnay
13.8% alc., $40, screwcap.
Dijon clones, 25% malolactic fermentation, aged primarily in 3 to 6-year-old oak puncheons.
·
Aromas of fresh
lemon juice, nutty oak and cut apple lead off. A charge of citrus and apple flavors alert the mid palate and finish
with good length. Bright acidity and supportive oak lend pleasure.
Score: 90
2014 Lange Estate Estate Dundee Hills Oregon Chardonnay
12.9% alc.,$65, screwcap. Mostly Dijon clone
95.
·
A step up from the Three Hills bottling, with more sophistication and more “minerality,” with less fruit
centricity. Refined flavors of citrus and green apple, seamless composition, and spunky, but integrated acidity.
Score: 93
2014 Lange Estate Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Oregon Chardonnay
12.9% alc., $65,
screwcap. Barrel fermented and aged, close to 100% malolactic fermentation.
·
Darker yellow color in the glass.
Riper and richer fruit profile, featuring aromas and flavors of yellow apple, pear, lemongrass and pineapple.
More fruit driven with supportive oak and spice, and a noticeably creamy and round mouthfeel.
Score: 91
65% of the Pinot Noir fruit is estate grown, with a large portion of the rest sourced from the renown Freedom
Hill Vineyard.
2014 Lange Estate Willamette Valley Cuvée Oregon Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., $25, screwcap.
·
Light reddish
purple hue in the glass. Notably nuanced, with aromas of black cherry, spice, hazelnut and
chocolate. Forward drinking and enjoyable now, with mid weight flavors of black cherry and
blackberry framed by slightly chalky tannins and sweet oak plying in the background. The wine
leaves a favorable impression on the fruit-laden finish.
Score: 89
2014 Lange Estate Reserve Oregon Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., $35.
·
Moderately light reddish purple
color in the glass. Very shy nose that is quite primary. Much more expressive on the palate, with an
explosion of black fruit flavors that impress the mid palate and finish with purpose. Silky in the mouth
with a deft touch of oak. Definitely needs more time for full development.
Score: 90-91
2014 Lange Estate Three Hills Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., $50.
·
Moderate reddish
purple color in the glass. Both fruity and savory on the nose, with aromas of black stone and berry fruits, along
with sous-bois and graphite. Very suave and easy going on the palate, with a seductive core of dark red and
black fruits that are framed by a touch of oak. Beautifully crafted in a welcoming style.
Score: 92
2014 Lange Estate Estate Vineyard Dundee Hills Oregon Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., $70.
·
Moderate reddish
purple color in the glass. Shy aromas of dark red and black cherries. Very classy in the mouth, with a
middleweight core of dark red cherry and berry fruits, touched by a hint of edible flower. The tannins are more
substantial but fine-grain in nature, and the finish is entirely seductive. Will improve in the cellar.
Score: 92-93
2014 Lange Estate Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $70.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in the
glass. The aromas of black cherry, black raspberry, spice, and dark
chocolate draw the nose into the glass. The richest of the wines in the
Lange lineup, with an arsenal of sappy black fruits matched with husky
tannins. A masculine wine, that is yet nimble and charming, with a lovely
texture and an energizing personality. Built for the long haul.
Score: 93-94
