Dec 30, 2022
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Saffron Fields Vineyard
| Owner(s) | Sanjeev Lahoti, Angela Summers |
| Web site | www.saffronfields.com |
| Link to this site |
Owned by Dr. Angela Summers and Sanjeev Lahoti, both chemical engineers, hail from Houston, Texas. They became wine enthusiasts and made their first trip to the Willamette Valley in 2003, not knowing much about the area other than the fact that Oregon was a great place for Pinot Noir. They met with a realtor to look for properties with vineyard potential and found a grass seed farm on Laughlin Road in Yamhill. Four months later, they bought the property which is located close to WillaKenzie Estate, Lenne and Deux Verts Vineyard.
While they developed the property, they made trips a few times a year and stayed in a small shack on the vineyard. They planted their first 12 acres of Pinot Noir (Pommard) in 2007, and 12 additional acres in 2009 (Dijon 777, 115 and 2A).
The initial grapes were purchased by winemaker Tony Rynders who became their winemaker. The vineyard is managed by Results Partners LLC.
The historical Laughlin Dairy barn on the property was taken apart and the wood salvaged. Half the wood was used in the construction of a tasting room. The tasting room opened in September 2013. Named the Jewel Box, it contains the owner's personal collection of contemporary art and will house art exhibits as well. A Japanese-style garden was created, in addition to two ponds, extensive decking, an orchard, vegetable garden and sculpture garden.
Case production has increased from 50 to 900 cases in 2012. The wines are sold on the website. Two acres of Chardonnay were planted in 2012. Grapes are sold to Roots and EIEIO wineries.
The tasting room is open daily at 18748 N.E. Laughlin Road in Yamhill.
Articles About Saffron Fields Vineyard
Diversity of Styles Popularize Pinot Noir Rosé (11.23 5/12/2018)
Embraceable (and Affordable) New Pinot Noir Releases from Oregon (11.19 2/20/2018)
Pinot Briefs (10.11 5/25/2015)
Recently Tasted Oregon Pinot Noir (10.40 10/20/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted Pinot Noir (10.25 2/5/2016)
Still More Oregon Wines to Savor (9.15 11/24/2012)
Reviewed Wines
2017 Saffron Fields Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 175 cases, RS 0 g/
L, $30. Sourced from Saffron Fields Vineyard. 72-hour skin contact, stainless steel fermentation. Winemaker
Tony Rynders.
·
Moderately light ruby red color in the glass. Aromas of strawberry reduction sauce and flower
garden. Mid weight flavors of dark red cherry, melon, spice, mocha and edible flower. A hearty rosé with
generous ripeness and a hint of oak seasoning.
Score: 90.
Reviewed May 12, 2018
ARTICLE »
2015 Saffron Fields Vineyard Spectrum Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.68, 500 cases, $40.
Multiple clones from multiple Willamette Valley AVAs and including some estate fruit. Meant to showcase the
entire Willamette Valley. Aged 17 months in French oak barrels, 50% new.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the
glass. Leading off are aromas of the blackest cherry, cola, underbrush and vanilla. A hearty and full-bodied
wine offering waves of sweet black raspberry and blackberry fruit flavors along with a note of cola and oakdriven
tastes of dark chocolate and toast. The bold and ripe fruit generously engages the palate and finish, yet
the wine is nimble. The suede tannins are hardly perceptible. A satisfying wine that reflects the warm vintage in
the Willamette Valley.
Score: 90.
Reviewed February 21, 2018
ARTICLE »
2015 Saffron Fields Vineyard Dijon Clones Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.62, 450 cases,
$50. Clones 115 and 777. 100% Estate. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 38% new.
·
Moderate garnet
color in the glass. The nose is reserved but gracious, offering aromas of dark cherry coulis, spice and warm
bread. Mid weight in style, with a core of dark red fruits framed by nutty oak. The tannins are quite agreeable
making for easy approachability. The finish is friendly but a bit shallow compared to the entire estate bottling.
Score: 91.
Reviewed February 21, 2018
ARTICLE »
2015 Saffron Fields Vineyard Heritage Clones Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.65, 550 cases,
$50. Pommard and Wädenswil clones. 100% Estate. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 64% new.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Likable aromas of Bing cherry, warm spices, vanilla and pencil lead.
Luscious in the mouth in a middleweight style, with a well-spiced cherry charge that shows intent on the attack
and mid palate, finishing with modesty. The tannins are quite gentle and the oak treatment is only mildly
noticeable in the background. Pommard seems to thrive at this site.
Score: 92.
Reviewed February 21, 2018
ARTICLE »
2015 Saffron Fields Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.60, 700 cases, $55. Pommard,
Wädenswil, 115 and 777. 100% Estate. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% new.
·
Moderately dark
garnet color in the glass. Seductive perfume of blackberry, cassis, spice, mocha and vanilla. Mid weight plus in
style, offering well-ripened purple and black fruits with accents of warm spices, cola and vanilla. The silkiness
in the mouth is particularly notable as is the extremely long and fruity finish. More refined and polished than the
in the mouth is particularly notable as is the extremely long and fruity finish. More refined and polished than the
Willamette Valley bottling, but will need more time to fully integrate the oak.
Score: 93.
Reviewed February 21, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Saffron Fields Vineyard Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 300 cases, $40. Release
November 1, 2016. Estate fruit plus sourced fruit to reflect the region including five of the six sub AVAs of the
Willamette Valley. Aged in French oak barrels, 30% new.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is rather exuberant with aromas of blackberry, black raspberry and toast. Silky in the mouth, with flavors of
darker berries and cake spices. Forward and easy to drink in a light to mid weight style, with soft tannins and a
pleasing finish.
Score: 90.
Reviewed October 19, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Saffron Fields Vineyard Heritage Clones Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 500 cases, $45. Release November 1,
2016. 100% estate grown Pommard and Wädenswil clones. Aged in
French oak barrels, 33% new.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in
the glass. Leading off are aromas of blackberry jam, earthy flora and a
hint of vanilla. A glorious mid weight plus core of dark fruits arrive on the
attack with luscious richness and follow through with a well-sustained
mid palate, finishing long and generous. Despite the generous sap, the
wine is light on its feet with submerged tannins and exquisite balance.
Still highly pleasurable the following day from a previously opened and
re-corked bottle.
Score: 93.
Reviewed October 19, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Saffron Fields Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 700 cases, $55. Release
November 1, 2016. 100% sustainably farmed Saffron Fields Vineyard. Clones are Pommard, Wädenswil, 115
and 777. Aged in French oak barrels, 39% new.
·
Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Appealing melange of
dark fruit aromas emerge slowly over time in the glass. Attention-grabbing black fruit
presence and length with inviting contributions of earth, iron and oak notes. The velvety mouthfeel is
particularly engaging, the fine grain tannins are bold yet compatible, and the wine doesn’t hold back on the
finish.
Score: 92.
Reviewed October 19, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 Saffron Fields Vineyard Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir
13.4% alc., 300 cases, $40. Released September
7, 2015. 39% Yamhill-Carlton, 33% Eola-Amity Hills, 17% Chehalem Mountains, and 11% Ribbon Ridge. Aged
15 months in French oak barrels, 25% new.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Very shy nose, offering
a hint of cherry fruit, but mainly woodland flora. Light to mid weight flavors of cherry, pomegranate, toasty oak
and woody spice. Delicate, with suave tannins, and some uplifting cherry goodness on the finish.
Score: 88.
Reviewed February 5, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 Saffron Fields Vineyard Heritage Clones Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir
13.8% alc.,
501 cases, $50. Released September 7, 2015. 100% Saffron Fields Vineyard. Pommard and Wädenswil
clones. Aged 17 months in French oak barrels, 50% new.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose
opens slowly to reveal enticing aromas of ripe strawberry, black cherry pie glaze, and dark red rose petal. The
black cherry, black raspberry and mushu plum sauce flavors are front and center in this mid weight plus
offering that combines pleasing extraction with well-honed and balanced tannins. The finish is particularly
notable, with power and length that goes on and on. A charming wine with the guts to age.
Score: 93.
Reviewed February 5, 2016
ARTICLE »
2013 Saffron Fields Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 700 cases, $55.
Released September 7, 2015. Flagship bottling of 4 clones (Pommard, Wädenswil, 115, 777) from Saffron
Fields Vineyard. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 39% new.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in the glass.
The nose is quite engaging, with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, tea leaves and cassis. Juicy and flavorful,
offering notes of blackberry, black raspberry and blueberry fruits with an earthy underpinning. The fruit is very
expressive and expansive in the mouth, supported by well-concealed, finely ground tannins. The fruit seems to
have been picked at the peak of ripeness.
Score: 91.
Reviewed February 5, 2016
ARTICLE »
2010 Saffron Fields Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $48. Vinified by Tony Rynders.
·
Moderately dark reddish-purple color in
the glass. Very fragrant reminiscent of fresh blackberry jam. Juicy and easy to
drink, with a tasteful array of berry flavors backed by a complimentary barrel
presence. Broad in the mouth with good ripeness, supple tannins. a very soft
and velvety mouth feel, and a generous, fruit-driven finish. This vineyard is very
impressive in 2010 (see also 2010 Roots Saffron Fields Pinot Noir). Very good.
Reviewed November 24, 2012
ARTICLE »
2017 Saffron Fields Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Rosé of Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 175 cases, RS 0 g/ L, $30. Sourced from Saffron Fields Vineyard. 72-hour skin contact, stainless steel fermentation. Winemaker Tony Rynders. · Moderately light ruby red color in the glass. Aromas of strawberry reduction sauce and flower garden. Mid weight flavors of dark red cherry, melon, spice, mocha and edible flower. A hearty rosé with generous ripeness and a hint of oak seasoning. Score: 90. Reviewed May 12, 2018 ARTICLE »
2015 Saffron Fields Vineyard Spectrum Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.68, 500 cases, $40. Multiple clones from multiple Willamette Valley AVAs and including some estate fruit. Meant to showcase the entire Willamette Valley. Aged 17 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Leading off are aromas of the blackest cherry, cola, underbrush and vanilla. A hearty and full-bodied wine offering waves of sweet black raspberry and blackberry fruit flavors along with a note of cola and oakdriven tastes of dark chocolate and toast. The bold and ripe fruit generously engages the palate and finish, yet the wine is nimble. The suede tannins are hardly perceptible. A satisfying wine that reflects the warm vintage in the Willamette Valley. Score: 90. Reviewed February 21, 2018 ARTICLE »
2015 Saffron Fields Vineyard Dijon Clones Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.62, 450 cases, $50. Clones 115 and 777. 100% Estate. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 38% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. The nose is reserved but gracious, offering aromas of dark cherry coulis, spice and warm bread. Mid weight in style, with a core of dark red fruits framed by nutty oak. The tannins are quite agreeable making for easy approachability. The finish is friendly but a bit shallow compared to the entire estate bottling. Score: 91. Reviewed February 21, 2018 ARTICLE »
2015 Saffron Fields Vineyard Heritage Clones Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., pH 3.65, 550 cases, $50. Pommard and Wädenswil clones. 100% Estate. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 64% new. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Likable aromas of Bing cherry, warm spices, vanilla and pencil lead. Luscious in the mouth in a middleweight style, with a well-spiced cherry charge that shows intent on the attack and mid palate, finishing with modesty. The tannins are quite gentle and the oak treatment is only mildly noticeable in the background. Pommard seems to thrive at this site. Score: 92. Reviewed February 21, 2018 ARTICLE »
2015 Saffron Fields Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.60, 700 cases, $55. Pommard, Wädenswil, 115 and 777. 100% Estate. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Seductive perfume of blackberry, cassis, spice, mocha and vanilla. Mid weight plus in style, offering well-ripened purple and black fruits with accents of warm spices, cola and vanilla. The silkiness in the mouth is particularly notable as is the extremely long and fruity finish. More refined and polished than the in the mouth is particularly notable as is the extremely long and fruity finish. More refined and polished than the Willamette Valley bottling, but will need more time to fully integrate the oak. Score: 93. Reviewed February 21, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Saffron Fields Vineyard Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 300 cases, $40. Release November 1, 2016. Estate fruit plus sourced fruit to reflect the region including five of the six sub AVAs of the Willamette Valley. Aged in French oak barrels, 30% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is rather exuberant with aromas of blackberry, black raspberry and toast. Silky in the mouth, with flavors of darker berries and cake spices. Forward and easy to drink in a light to mid weight style, with soft tannins and a pleasing finish. Score: 90. Reviewed October 19, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Saffron Fields Vineyard Heritage Clones Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., 500 cases, $45. Release November 1, 2016. 100% estate grown Pommard and Wädenswil clones. Aged in French oak barrels, 33% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Leading off are aromas of blackberry jam, earthy flora and a hint of vanilla. A glorious mid weight plus core of dark fruits arrive on the attack with luscious richness and follow through with a well-sustained mid palate, finishing long and generous. Despite the generous sap, the wine is light on its feet with submerged tannins and exquisite balance. Still highly pleasurable the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 93. Reviewed October 19, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Saffron Fields Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 700 cases, $55. Release November 1, 2016. 100% sustainably farmed Saffron Fields Vineyard. Clones are Pommard, Wädenswil, 115 and 777. Aged in French oak barrels, 39% new. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. Appealing melange of dark fruit aromas emerge slowly over time in the glass. Attention-grabbing black fruit presence and length with inviting contributions of earth, iron and oak notes. The velvety mouthfeel is particularly engaging, the fine grain tannins are bold yet compatible, and the wine doesn’t hold back on the finish. Score: 92. Reviewed October 19, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 Saffron Fields Vineyard Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir
13.4% alc., 300 cases, $40. Released September 7, 2015. 39% Yamhill-Carlton, 33% Eola-Amity Hills, 17% Chehalem Mountains, and 11% Ribbon Ridge. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, 25% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Very shy nose, offering a hint of cherry fruit, but mainly woodland flora. Light to mid weight flavors of cherry, pomegranate, toasty oak and woody spice. Delicate, with suave tannins, and some uplifting cherry goodness on the finish. Score: 88. Reviewed February 5, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 Saffron Fields Vineyard Heritage Clones Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir
13.8% alc., 501 cases, $50. Released September 7, 2015. 100% Saffron Fields Vineyard. Pommard and Wädenswil clones. Aged 17 months in French oak barrels, 50% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose opens slowly to reveal enticing aromas of ripe strawberry, black cherry pie glaze, and dark red rose petal. The black cherry, black raspberry and mushu plum sauce flavors are front and center in this mid weight plus offering that combines pleasing extraction with well-honed and balanced tannins. The finish is particularly notable, with power and length that goes on and on. A charming wine with the guts to age. Score: 93. Reviewed February 5, 2016 ARTICLE »
2013 Saffron Fields Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Oregon Pinot Noir
14.2% alc., 700 cases, $55. Released September 7, 2015. Flagship bottling of 4 clones (Pommard, Wädenswil, 115, 777) from Saffron Fields Vineyard. Aged 16 months in French oak barrels, 39% new. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. The nose is quite engaging, with aromas of black cherry, blackberry, tea leaves and cassis. Juicy and flavorful, offering notes of blackberry, black raspberry and blueberry fruits with an earthy underpinning. The fruit is very expressive and expansive in the mouth, supported by well-concealed, finely ground tannins. The fruit seems to have been picked at the peak of ripeness. Score: 91. Reviewed February 5, 2016 ARTICLE »
2010 Saffron Fields Vineyard Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $48. Vinified by Tony Rynders. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Very fragrant reminiscent of fresh blackberry jam. Juicy and easy to drink, with a tasteful array of berry flavors backed by a complimentary barrel presence. Broad in the mouth with good ripeness, supple tannins. a very soft and velvety mouth feel, and a generous, fruit-driven finish. This vineyard is very impressive in 2010 (see also 2010 Roots Saffron Fields Pinot Noir). Very good. Reviewed November 24, 2012 ARTICLE »