Dec 30, 2022
Search This Site:
Gran Moraine Winery
| Owner(s) | Kendall-Jackson Estates |
| Web site | www.granmoraine.com |
| Link to this site |
Jackson Family Estates acquired the former Solená Estate Winery in 2013. Oregon vintner Eugenia Keegan is the winemaker and Ken Kupperman oversees the 220-are hillside vineyard adjacent the winery.
The winery offers a Yamhill-Carlton AVA Pinot Noir and an Estate Reserve Pinot Noir.
Tasting room located in the former Solená Estate Winery facility in Yamhill. Open daily from 11:00-5:00. The wines are available through a mailing list and online through the winery's website.
Articles About Gran Moraine Winery
2017 Oregon Pinot Noir All-Americans (11.15 12/16/2017)
Chardonnay Smackdown (11.26 7/14/2018)
More Recently Tasted Chardonnay (11.26 7/14/2018)
Pinot Briefs (9.42 5/25/2014)
Pinot Briefs (9.48 10/6/2014)
Pinot Briefs (11.25 6/26/2018)
Sips of Recently Tasted Oregon Pinot Noir (10.24 1/17/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted Oregon Pinot Noir (11.3 5/6/2017)
Surprise Yourself with Oregon Chardonnay (11.3 5/6/2017)
Reviewed Wines
2015 Gran Moraine Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Chardonnay
13.0% alc., $45.
·
Moderate golden
yellow color in the glass. Aromas of ripe apple, pear, mango, custard and cold steel. Nicely composed with
seamless balance, offering flavors of spiced apple, citrus, juniper berry, honey and baked bread. Easy going,
with a silky texture and a crisp finish.
Score: 91.
Reviewed July 14, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Gran Moraine Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Chardonnay
13.0% alc., pH 3.23, TA 0.63,
$45, Diam. Vineyard planted in 2005 to several different Dijon clones. One of the more westerly
vineyards in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA and thus subject to cooling afternoon breezes that roll off the
Pacific. Gently whole cluster pressed, natural fermentation over 16 months with monthly stirring of the
lees. After 16 months in barrel (7.5% new), the wine was fully racked to a stainless steel tank and left
to mature outside in the cold Northwest winter. The extended aging provided natural cold stability to
the wine.
·
Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. The aromas of Meyer lemon, honey,
pear, white peach and buttery brioche soar from the glass. Crisp and bright in the mouth, with effusive flavors
of citrus, apple, apricot and spice with a flinty compliment. A stunning wine with inviting balance and a
mouthwatering finish. Still enduring when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked
bottle. I also tasted this wine at a restaurant in San Francisco with the same impression and found it to be a
perfect food wine.
Score: 98.
Reviewed May 6, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Gran Moraine Estate Reserve Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $65. The
Estate Reserve Vineyard surrounds the Gran Moraine Vineyard and consists of 35 acres planted in
2007 to a variety of Dijon and heritage clones.
·
Dark garnet color in the glass. The aromas of fresh
dark fruits rise up over time in the glass. The onslaught of delicious black raspberry, blackberry and
black cherry flavors are luscious and seductive. Big by Oregon standards, with great depth of fruit, but
still charming along with a soothing texture. When tasted the following day from a previously opened
and re-corked bottle, the nose had taken on plenty of spice and floral aromas (my notes say “terrific”)
and the wine had assumed a harmonious demeanor. I would cellar this wine for a couple of years to achieve
full enjoyment. Still a good friend now.
Score: 95.
Reviewed May 7, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Gran Moraine La Première Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.56, TA 0.64, 85
cases, $85. La Première is French for “the first.” Limited production. 100% Gran Moraine Vineyard. Depending
on vintage, block and clone, grapes undergo a 3 to 10-day cold soak. Matured in 100% French oak barrels.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of dark berries, vanilla, spice and sweet oak blend together.
Mid weight assortment of black fruit flavors are accented with notes of oak-driven smoke, tar and anise.
Agreeable tannins and balanced acidity, with some length on the finish. A very good wine, but I wish it had
slightly less oak influence.
Score: 91.
Reviewed May 7, 2017
ARTICLE »
2013 Gran Moraine Winery Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.55, 3,700 cases,
$45. The first Gran Moraine vintage that winemaker Eugenia Keegan has produced vine-to-bottle. She has
experience working with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Russian River Valley, Napa-Carneros, Burgundy
and now Oregon’s Willamette Valley. This 198-acre vineyard was planted in 2005 to several Dijon clones and
consists of over 80 blocks. Aged 10 months in 41% new French oak barrels.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in
the glass. Robust aromas of black cherry, cardamom spice and sweet oak. Lovely core of black cherry and
black raspberry fruits overlain with oak-driven accents of black tea, char and tobacco, and framed by gently
firm tannins. The finish is attenuated. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked
bottle, drying oak still dominated the aromas and flavors. Time will integrate some of the oak overlay but this
will always be a well-oaked wine.
Score: 88.
Reviewed January 17, 2016
ARTICLE »
2015 Gran Moraine Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Chardonnay
13.0% alc., $45. · Moderate golden yellow color in the glass. Aromas of ripe apple, pear, mango, custard and cold steel. Nicely composed with seamless balance, offering flavors of spiced apple, citrus, juniper berry, honey and baked bread. Easy going, with a silky texture and a crisp finish. Score: 91. Reviewed July 14, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Gran Moraine Yamhill-Carlton Willamette Valley Chardonnay
13.0% alc., pH 3.23, TA 0.63, $45, Diam. Vineyard planted in 2005 to several different Dijon clones. One of the more westerly vineyards in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA and thus subject to cooling afternoon breezes that roll off the Pacific. Gently whole cluster pressed, natural fermentation over 16 months with monthly stirring of the lees. After 16 months in barrel (7.5% new), the wine was fully racked to a stainless steel tank and left to mature outside in the cold Northwest winter. The extended aging provided natural cold stability to the wine. · Moderate golden yellow color and clear in the glass. The aromas of Meyer lemon, honey, pear, white peach and buttery brioche soar from the glass. Crisp and bright in the mouth, with effusive flavors of citrus, apple, apricot and spice with a flinty compliment. A stunning wine with inviting balance and a mouthwatering finish. Still enduring when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. I also tasted this wine at a restaurant in San Francisco with the same impression and found it to be a perfect food wine. Score: 98. Reviewed May 6, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Gran Moraine Estate Reserve Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir
14.1% alc., $65. The Estate Reserve Vineyard surrounds the Gran Moraine Vineyard and consists of 35 acres planted in 2007 to a variety of Dijon and heritage clones. · Dark garnet color in the glass. The aromas of fresh dark fruits rise up over time in the glass. The onslaught of delicious black raspberry, blackberry and black cherry flavors are luscious and seductive. Big by Oregon standards, with great depth of fruit, but still charming along with a soothing texture. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the nose had taken on plenty of spice and floral aromas (my notes say “terrific”) and the wine had assumed a harmonious demeanor. I would cellar this wine for a couple of years to achieve full enjoyment. Still a good friend now. Score: 95. Reviewed May 7, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Gran Moraine La Première Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir
14.3% alc., pH 3.56, TA 0.64, 85 cases, $85. La Première is French for “the first.” Limited production. 100% Gran Moraine Vineyard. Depending on vintage, block and clone, grapes undergo a 3 to 10-day cold soak. Matured in 100% French oak barrels. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of dark berries, vanilla, spice and sweet oak blend together. Mid weight assortment of black fruit flavors are accented with notes of oak-driven smoke, tar and anise. Agreeable tannins and balanced acidity, with some length on the finish. A very good wine, but I wish it had slightly less oak influence. Score: 91. Reviewed May 7, 2017 ARTICLE »
2013 Gran Moraine Winery Yamhill-Carlton Oregon Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.55, 3,700 cases, $45. The first Gran Moraine vintage that winemaker Eugenia Keegan has produced vine-to-bottle. She has experience working with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in the Russian River Valley, Napa-Carneros, Burgundy and now Oregon’s Willamette Valley. This 198-acre vineyard was planted in 2005 to several Dijon clones and consists of over 80 blocks. Aged 10 months in 41% new French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. Robust aromas of black cherry, cardamom spice and sweet oak. Lovely core of black cherry and black raspberry fruits overlain with oak-driven accents of black tea, char and tobacco, and framed by gently firm tannins. The finish is attenuated. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, drying oak still dominated the aromas and flavors. Time will integrate some of the oak overlay but this will always be a well-oaked wine. Score: 88. Reviewed January 17, 2016 ARTICLE »