VOLUME 12, ISSUE 34
December 30, 2022
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
A Commonplace Bucket of Pinot Noir: Quotes, Ephemera, and Thoughts The Prince Retires (this time for good)

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Vineyard: Freedom Hill

OwnersDan Dusschee, Helen Dusschee
AppellationWillamette Valley
Story76% Pinot Noir, 16% Chardonnay, 7% Pinot Blanc, 1% Tempranillo. Main clients are Lange, Ken Wright, Patty Green and St. Innocent.
Dates PlantedEstablished in 1981-1984, phylloxera infested vines replaced by 2007.
Acres88
LocationFive miles north of Monmouth. Neighboring vineyards include Amalie Robert Estate, Illahee Winery and Croft, Firesteed and Fern Creek Vineyards.
AspectFoothills of Oregon coast range at 350-600 feet
VarietiesChardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir, Tempranillo
ManagersDan Dusschee

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2017 Walter Scott Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $55. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Pleasing aromas of dark cherry, ripe strawberry, Prada leather coat and toasty oak. Engaging and giving with a mid weight plus core of dark red and purple fruits with an earthy undertone. Slightly gruff but not intrusive tannins, a sleek texture and a very intense and lingering finish The fruit flavor really brings the taste buds to attention. Score: 94. Reviewed July 8, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Walter Scott La Combe Verte Willamette Valley Chardonnay

13.0% alc., 340 cases, $28 (sold out). Released September 2017. Sourced from Clos des Oiseaux, Freedom Hill, Sojourner, X Novo, Vojtilla and Witness Tree vineyards. Lightly fined and filtered. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of lemon oil, grilled peach, grapefruit and slate. Attacking flavors of green apple, lemon-lime, grapefruit and nectarine in a bright, lifted styled wine with a slightly creamy mouthfeel and a citric finish that never gives up. A superb Willamette Valley cuvée. Score: 93. Reviewed December 3, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Walter Scott Cuvée Anne Willamette Valley Chardonnay

13.1% alc., 390 cases, $40. A blend of the winery’s best vineyard sites, including Freedom Hill, X Novo, Sojourner and Vojtilla vineyards. It is a reserve blend that reflects the winemaker’s vision of a Willamette Valley Chardonnay. Fermented with ambient yeast with minimal lees stirring and aging in a mix of new and neutral 500L and 350L French oak barrels for 12 months. The wine was racked and blended to stainless steel for an additional 3 months prior to bottling. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. A complex nose proves interesting over time, offering aromas of lemon peel, grilled peach, honey, toasty brioche, vanillin, nutty oak and a little reductive flint. The flavors replicate the aromas, with added notes of yellow grapefruit, yellow peach, pear and yeast with a subtle backdrop of toasty oak. The wine improves as it warms in the glass. The sleek, seamless texture appeals, as does the juicy, flinty finish. Score: 91. Reviewed May 12, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Walter Scott Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Chardonnay

176 cases, $55. The vineyard owners have been growing Chardonnay here since 1981. Vineyard is farmed sustainably and moving toward organic options. Fermented with ambient yeast and minimal lees stirring. Aged in one new 500L puncheon, a once-filled puncheon and a neutral puncheon for 12 months. The was racked and blended to stainless steel for an additional 3 months before bottling. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. A social wine with lingering aromas of lemon, poached pear, and toasted bread. The flavors of lemon-lime, green apple, honey, pear and field greens are bright and clear and married with sensible oak. The wine’s notable “minerality” gives the wine a crystalline character. Slightly creamy in the mouth, with a hint of tannin, and a very dry and mouthwatering finish of some length. Score: 93. Reviewed May 12, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Walter Scott Cuvée Anne Willamette Valley Oregon Chardonnay

13.2% alc., 490 cases, $40. A blend from the winery’s best Chardonnay sites, including Freedom Hill, X Novo and Gibson vineyards. The wine is a reserve blend that represents the winery’s vision of Oregon Chardonnay. The juice was fermented and aged in a new puncheon and four neutral barrels for 11 months with 100% native yeast fermentation and minimal lees stirring. The wine was blended and finished in stainleess steel for an additional 3 months. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. Captivating steely, stony, flinty aromas matched to fruit aromas of citrus, white peach and pear. Highly mineral-driven, with flavors of lemon-lime, pear and green apple offering a toned and trim impression, finishing with a quenching, steely attitude. A slight bit of tannin adds structure and the slightly creamy mouthfeel adds comfort. Remarkable poise and immense charm. Score: 95. Reviewed May 6, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Walter Scott Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Oregon Chardonnay

13.2% alc., 150 cases, $50. Vineyard farmed by the Dusschee family. The wine was fermented and aged in a new puncheon and four neutral barrels for 11 months with 100% native yeast fermentation and minimal lees stirring. The wine was blended and finished in stainless steel for an additional 3 months. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. A highly distinctive wine offering appealing aromas of pear, cut apple, spice, buttery brioche, nuts and a touch of vanillin. Bright, clean and crisp with bracing, steely acidity, offering flavors of Honeycrisp apple, subtle citrus fruits and complimentary oak notes. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the lovely apple aromas and flavors were even more inviting, the acidity had moderated and integrated. A unique, apple-fruited joy. Score: 94. Reviewed May 6, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Walter Scott Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., 325 cases, $50. Vineyard planted in 1982 by Dan and Helen Dusschee who own and farm the vineyard sustainably with their son Dustin. The vineyard is located in the foothills of the Oregon Coast Range and vines are planted on Bellpine loam soils. The wines are typically structured and powerful. Fermented with ambient yeasts and aged for 15 months in French oak barrels, 40% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. The nose is reserved but alluring with wafting aromas of cherry blossom, raspberry coulis and tobacco and an earthy underpinning. Unctuous on the palate with perfectly ripened fruit flavors of strawberry, cherry and raspberry. As typical with this vineyard, the tannins are a bit imposing but are not drying, and they smooth out over time in the glass. Wines from this vineyard can be a bit gruff, but that quality is not evident in this wine. I remained infatuated when I tasted this wine the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. This one will stay the long course. Score: 96-97. Reviewed May 7, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Purple Hands Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 500 cases, $38. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Aromas of dusty black cherry, baking spices and toasty oak. The flavor profile veers to purple and black fruits with an earthy, mineral tone. Some oak plies the background and shows up on the finish. The tannins are somewhat robust consistent with wines from this vineyard. Score: 89. Reviewed November 12, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Purple Heart Wine Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 500 cases, $38. Pommard and Wädenswil clones. Unfined and unfiltered. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Uplifting aromas of blackberry, black currant and oak driven notes of hay, popcorn and toast. Highly enjoyable on the palate, with a mid weight plus core of purple and black berry fruits complimented by spice. Inviting roundness and harmony with deft oak management and welcome overall balance. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and recorked bottle, the wine still displayed a tasty marriage of dark fruit and oak. The wine is true to Freedom Hill terroir and shows off the vineyard well. The dense, dark fruit stands up well to oak. A good value. Score: 90. Reviewed January 16, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Walter Scott Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Oregon Chardonnay

13.2% alc., pH 3.21, 100 cases, $45 (sold out). Dijon clone 95. Inaugural wine from this vineyard. Native fermentation. Fermented and aged in a new puncheon and four neutral barrels for 11 months, finished in stainless steel for three months. · Light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Aromas of wet stones, graphite, lemon waver, vanilla and slight nutty oak. Slightly viscous and moderately weighty, with flavors of lemon and baked pear, finishing with good cut and a little salinity. Score: 93. Reviewed July 9, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

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. Reviewed September 7, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

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. Reviewed September 7, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 St. Innocent Villages Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.2% alc., 1,621 cases, $23. The core of this wine comes from Vitae Springs Vineyard (56%), with contributions from Freedom Hill (6%), Zenith (28%) and Momtazi (10%). 2-day cold soak, fermented in stainless steel, aged 12 months in 14% new French oak, and bottled without fining. · The nose is pleasing with aromas of purple grapes, blackberries, cassis and oak. Mid to full-bodied frame of purple and black fruits. Forward and fruit-driven, with a well-matched backbone of suave tannins. A solid, everyday wine. Score: 88. Reviewed July 6, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Lange Three Hills Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.9% alc., $38, screwcap. Sourced from Lange Estate, Freedom Hill and Yamhill vineyards. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. Inviting aromas of black raspberry, plum and espresso oak. Modest in weight, but packed with flavor, offering tastes of black raspberry, black cherry, and pomegranate with a touch of oak and dark chocolate. Welcoming softness in the mouth with admirable balance and good tannic bones for the long term. Score: 90. Reviewed January 23, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2011 Panther Creek Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 749 cases, $50. A barrel selection consisting of 72% Lazy River Vineyard and 28% Freedom Hill Vineyard fruit. Aged 18 months in 30% new and 70% neutral French oak. · Light reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of red pie cherries, strawberries and spicy oak lead to an elegant, even delicate wine, offering flavors of red fruits, spice and oak. Reflects the vintage, with a paucity of fruit stuffing and ripeness. Score: 88. Reviewed August 25, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Lange Estate Winery & Vineyards Freedom Hill Vineyard Eola- Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc.. · Very dark reddish purple color in the glass. Lovely aromas of blackberry jam, purple grape, spice and rose petal. A full-bodied charge of boysenberry and blackberry fruits fill the mouth with astonishing fruit intensity. Monstrous tannins back the prodigious fruit and infuse the finish with some astringency. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the wine was still monolithic, but the mouthfeel was smoother and the tannins less daunting. This is close to Syrah in character and atypical for Oregon. Decant it now if you want to pop the cork and pair it with a prime ribeye steak. Best to hold mid to long term. Score: 92-93. Reviewed February 8, 2015 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 St. Innocent Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Blanc

13.5% alc., 605 cases, $20. Planted in 1993. Fermented 31% in barrel and 69% in tank. Aged 8 months sur lies. · Light straw color in the glass. Delicate aromas of lemon curd and pastry cream. Demure flavors of citrus, peach, green apple and a hint of oak. Oregon does well with this grape and this is a fine example. Good. Reviewed November 24, 2010 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Lange Estate Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 250 cases, $60. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Welcoming aromas of black plums, dark cherries, cassis, forest floor and damp earth. Soil-inflected core of intensely flavored black plum fruit that is beginning to shed its baby fat. Since last tasted in 2010, the tannins have become softer, the oak has faded into the background, and the wine is exhibiting an amazingly long finish with a pleasingly bright cut of acidity. The wine has the balance for long-term aging. Put on your big boy pants when you open this one. Reviewed January 12, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2003 Stevenson-Barrie Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $28. · This Pinot Noir has a wonderfully expressive nose featuring savory herbs, barnyard and cut flowers. Noticeably more elegant than many of the 2003's from Oregon. Both red and black dark fruits are beautifully composed in a nicely balanced package. Serious juice and a must buy. Reviewed August 28, 2006 WINERY »

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