Dec 30, 2022
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Lichen Estate
| Owner(s) | Douglas Ian Stewart |
| Web site | www.lichenestate.com |
| Link to this site |
A 203-acre estate in the heart of the Anderson Valley. Lichen is everywhere in the valley and the farm was named "Lichen" in honor of its beauty and grace.
The property was originally known as Breggo Cellars which was founded in 2005. Despite considerable critical success, the brand was sold in 2009, but the land was retained. The Lichen Estate Vineyard was planted in 2008. By the end of 2014, the Breggo lease on the vineyard expires and Lichen's first estate grown wines were released.
Both still Pinot Noir, and sparkling Pinot Noir are offered along with a Blanc de Gris made from Pinot Gris and Les Pinots Noir & Gris, a blend of Pinot Noir and Pinot Gris. The wines are sold on the website.
Tastings are held at a dark wood table in the formal dining room of a restored 100-year-old farmhouse hosted by the owner or assistant winemaker.
Articles About Lichen Estate
More Good Stuff (10.49 2/26/2017)
Press Tasting of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (9.44 7/28/2014)
Press Tasting of Current Anderson Valley Pinot Noir Releases (10.34 7/24/2016)
Recently Tasted Pinot Noir & Chardonnay (11.25 6/26/2018)
Results of Exclusive Press Tasting of Anderson Valley Pinot Noir (Mendocino Fairgrounds) (11.6 7/8/2017)
Reviewed Wines
NV Lichen Estate Solera Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.65% alc., 134 cases, $48. Harvest Brix
22.4º-24.6º. This wine features the “solera” approach common in Sherry to this multi-vintage blend.
Combination of first Estate harvest of two barrels in 2011, six barrels of 2012 Estate, and four barrels of 2013
Estate. 5 to 6-day cold soak, 2 to 5-day extended maceration, aged in French oak.
·
Light rhubarb color in the
glass. Scent of oak-kissed cherries and spice echoed on the palate. Light and delicate, but with good flavor
intensity, bright acidity, and a finish featuring plenty of cherry and spice goodness.
Score: 89.
Reviewed July 28, 2014
ARTICLE »
NV LICHEN Estate Solera Volume 5 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.3% alc., $50. A multi-vintage blend,
including vintages from 2011 to 2016. 75% 2016 and 25% a blend of the previous five vintages. A unique
combination offering fresh fruit from the recent vintage and complexity from the extended barrel aging.
·
Moderate garnet color in the glass. Accessible aromas of cherry, raspberry, baking spice, savory herbs and
sandalwood. Nicely composed with a tasty cherry core, a very suave texture, adequate structure, and some
generous finishing purpose. Even better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked
bottle.
Score: 92.
Reviewed June 29, 2018
ARTICLE »
2016 LICHEN Estate Moonglow Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.55, 324
cases, $35. Released October 2017. 100% estate grapes. 1-4 day cold soak, fermented in closedtop
fermenters and open-top bins. Native yeast fermentation. Aged in a majority of Francoise
Frères 3-year and 4-year dried, extra tight grain, medium toast oak barrels.About 10% new barrels
with remainder 10 to 40 months used.
·
Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Very shy, but
pleasant aromas of black cherry, pomegranate, bittersweet chocolate and toasted barrel. Mid
weight plus in concentration featuring black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors framed by muscular
tannins. Fruit-driven, with oak in the background. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and
re-corked bottle, the tannins had resolved somewhat but the wine remained tannic. A young wine searching for
its ultimate potential.
Score: 90.
Reviewed June 29, 2018
ARTICLE »
2015 Lichen Estate Moonglow Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.1% alc., pH 3.51, TA 0.56, 324
cases, $35. Released October 2016. 100% Lichen Estate fruit, all four clones, harvest Brix
22.0º-24.0º. 3 to 4-day cold soak, fermented 14-17 days in closed-top stainless fermenters followed
by a 2 to 3-day extended maceration. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, extra tight grain,
medium toast, about 20% new.
·
Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Readily accessible
aromas of red cherry, raspberry coulis, red licorice, rose petal and rose stem. Relatively light in
weight in a very pleasant, easy-drinking style, featuring red cherry and berry flavors, sleek tannins,
and a juicy finish highlighted with raspberry fruit.
Score: 89.
Reviewed February 25, 2017
ARTICLE »
2015 LICHEN Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.1% alc., pH
3.51, TA 0.56, 136 cases, $65. Released October 2017. 14 to 17-day
fermentation in 500-liter oak puncheon after a 5 to 6-day cold soak.
Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, Francoise Frères 3-year and 4-
year dried, extra tight grain, medium plus toast, 25% new. Aged
additional 8 months prior to bottling.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the
glass. Enviable aromas of black cherry, fertile earth and underbrush.
Imagine kicking dirt in a vineyard while chomping on a fresh cherry.
Nothing but good things to say about this mid weight styled wine
offering plenty of cherry and black raspberry goodness on the attack,
mid palate and lengthy finish. Beautiful composure with adequate
structure and expressive fruit. Even better when tasted the following
day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle.
Score: 93.
Reviewed June 29, 2018
ARTICLE »
2014 Lichen Estate Moonglow Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 732 cases, $35.
·
Moderate reddish purple color in
the glass. This wine reminds me of cherry pie day at baking
school with a hearty core of black cherry and baking spices
that infuse the nose and palate. The silky tannins create a
luxurious mouthfeel, and the balance is spot-on. Simply put, a
beautifully composed wine with ornate fruit flavors.
Score: 93.
Reviewed July 24, 2016
ARTICLE »
2014 Lichen Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.48,
TA 0.56, 182 cases, $65. Released October 2016. Harvest Brix
22.4º-24.6º. 5 to 6-day cold soak, 14 to 17-day fermentation and 2 to 3-
day extended maceration. Aged 17 months on the lees with stirring the
first 9 months in French oak barrels, extra tight grain wood, medium plus
toast Francoise Frères.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass.
Perfumed and sensuous, with deep aromas of cherry, spice, brier and
earthy flora. Lush and satisfying on the mid weight palate, with robust
cherry flavor accented with a subtle thread of cola and spicy oak.
Beautifully balanced, with silky tannins and a bright, juicy finish. Very
classy juice.
Score: 93.
Reviewed February 25, 2017
ARTICLE »
2014 Lichen Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.48, TA 0.56, 182 cases, $65. Sourced from
seven acres of estate vines overlooking Highway 128 on the 203-acre Lichen Estate. Vineyard is farmed
organically. Grapes are de-stemmed, 14-17 day fermentation after 5-6-day cold soak, 2-3 day post
fermentation extended maceration. Aged 16 months with lees stirring during first 9 months of barrel aging. Total
time in French oak barrels was 17 months.
·
Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Perfumed and
sensuous, with deep aromas of cherry, spice, brier and earthy flora. Lush and satisfying on the mid weight
palate, with robust cherry flavor accented with a subtle thread of cola and spicy oak. Beautifully balanced, with
silky tannins and a bright, juicy finish. Very classy juice.
Score: 93.
Reviewed July 8, 2017
ARTICLE »
2012 Lichen Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 164 cases, $65. From 7 acres of estate vines
planted in 2008 and farmed organically. Four clones (Martini, Wädenswil, Pommard and 667) on three
rootstocks. First substantial crop. Harvest Brix 22.4º-24.6º. 5 to 6-day cold soak, 2 to 3-day extended
maceration. Aged 17 months with batonage during the first 9 months.
·
Moderately light garnet color in the
glass. Demure aromas of red cherry, mocha and sandalwood lead to a very light and elegant, even dilute,
palate featuring cherry, raspberry and complimentary oak flavors. This wine has soft tannins and is rather
ephemeral, but lacks excitement.
Score: 88.
Reviewed July 28, 2014
ARTICLE »
NV Lichen Estate Solera Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.65% alc., 134 cases, $48. Harvest Brix 22.4º-24.6º. This wine features the “solera” approach common in Sherry to this multi-vintage blend. Combination of first Estate harvest of two barrels in 2011, six barrels of 2012 Estate, and four barrels of 2013 Estate. 5 to 6-day cold soak, 2 to 5-day extended maceration, aged in French oak. · Light rhubarb color in the glass. Scent of oak-kissed cherries and spice echoed on the palate. Light and delicate, but with good flavor intensity, bright acidity, and a finish featuring plenty of cherry and spice goodness. Score: 89. Reviewed July 28, 2014 ARTICLE »
NV LICHEN Estate Solera Volume 5 Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.3% alc., $50. A multi-vintage blend, including vintages from 2011 to 2016. 75% 2016 and 25% a blend of the previous five vintages. A unique combination offering fresh fruit from the recent vintage and complexity from the extended barrel aging. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. Accessible aromas of cherry, raspberry, baking spice, savory herbs and sandalwood. Nicely composed with a tasty cherry core, a very suave texture, adequate structure, and some generous finishing purpose. Even better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 92. Reviewed June 29, 2018 ARTICLE »
2016 LICHEN Estate Moonglow Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.55, 324 cases, $35. Released October 2017. 100% estate grapes. 1-4 day cold soak, fermented in closedtop fermenters and open-top bins. Native yeast fermentation. Aged in a majority of Francoise Frères 3-year and 4-year dried, extra tight grain, medium toast oak barrels.About 10% new barrels with remainder 10 to 40 months used. · Moderately dark garnet color in the glass. Very shy, but pleasant aromas of black cherry, pomegranate, bittersweet chocolate and toasted barrel. Mid weight plus in concentration featuring black cherry and blackberry fruit flavors framed by muscular tannins. Fruit-driven, with oak in the background. When tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle, the tannins had resolved somewhat but the wine remained tannic. A young wine searching for its ultimate potential. Score: 90. Reviewed June 29, 2018 ARTICLE »
2015 Lichen Estate Moonglow Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.1% alc., pH 3.51, TA 0.56, 324 cases, $35. Released October 2016. 100% Lichen Estate fruit, all four clones, harvest Brix 22.0º-24.0º. 3 to 4-day cold soak, fermented 14-17 days in closed-top stainless fermenters followed by a 2 to 3-day extended maceration. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, extra tight grain, medium toast, about 20% new. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Readily accessible aromas of red cherry, raspberry coulis, red licorice, rose petal and rose stem. Relatively light in weight in a very pleasant, easy-drinking style, featuring red cherry and berry flavors, sleek tannins, and a juicy finish highlighted with raspberry fruit. Score: 89. Reviewed February 25, 2017 ARTICLE »
2015 LICHEN Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.1% alc., pH 3.51, TA 0.56, 136 cases, $65. Released October 2017. 14 to 17-day fermentation in 500-liter oak puncheon after a 5 to 6-day cold soak. Aged 15 months in French oak barrels, Francoise Frères 3-year and 4- year dried, extra tight grain, medium plus toast, 25% new. Aged additional 8 months prior to bottling. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Enviable aromas of black cherry, fertile earth and underbrush. Imagine kicking dirt in a vineyard while chomping on a fresh cherry. Nothing but good things to say about this mid weight styled wine offering plenty of cherry and black raspberry goodness on the attack, mid palate and lengthy finish. Beautiful composure with adequate structure and expressive fruit. Even better when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 93. Reviewed June 29, 2018 ARTICLE »
2014 Lichen Estate Moonglow Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 732 cases, $35. · Moderate reddish purple color in the glass. This wine reminds me of cherry pie day at baking school with a hearty core of black cherry and baking spices that infuse the nose and palate. The silky tannins create a luxurious mouthfeel, and the balance is spot-on. Simply put, a beautifully composed wine with ornate fruit flavors. Score: 93. Reviewed July 24, 2016 ARTICLE »
2014 Lichen Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.48, TA 0.56, 182 cases, $65. Released October 2016. Harvest Brix 22.4º-24.6º. 5 to 6-day cold soak, 14 to 17-day fermentation and 2 to 3- day extended maceration. Aged 17 months on the lees with stirring the first 9 months in French oak barrels, extra tight grain wood, medium plus toast Francoise Frères. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Perfumed and sensuous, with deep aromas of cherry, spice, brier and earthy flora. Lush and satisfying on the mid weight palate, with robust cherry flavor accented with a subtle thread of cola and spicy oak. Beautifully balanced, with silky tannins and a bright, juicy finish. Very classy juice. Score: 93. Reviewed February 25, 2017 ARTICLE »
2014 Lichen Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.9% alc., pH 3.48, TA 0.56, 182 cases, $65. Sourced from seven acres of estate vines overlooking Highway 128 on the 203-acre Lichen Estate. Vineyard is farmed organically. Grapes are de-stemmed, 14-17 day fermentation after 5-6-day cold soak, 2-3 day post fermentation extended maceration. Aged 16 months with lees stirring during first 9 months of barrel aging. Total time in French oak barrels was 17 months. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Perfumed and sensuous, with deep aromas of cherry, spice, brier and earthy flora. Lush and satisfying on the mid weight palate, with robust cherry flavor accented with a subtle thread of cola and spicy oak. Beautifully balanced, with silky tannins and a bright, juicy finish. Very classy juice. Score: 93. Reviewed July 8, 2017 ARTICLE »
2012 Lichen Estate Anderson Valley Pinot Noir
13.7% alc., 164 cases, $65. From 7 acres of estate vines planted in 2008 and farmed organically. Four clones (Martini, Wädenswil, Pommard and 667) on three rootstocks. First substantial crop. Harvest Brix 22.4º-24.6º. 5 to 6-day cold soak, 2 to 3-day extended maceration. Aged 17 months with batonage during the first 9 months. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Demure aromas of red cherry, mocha and sandalwood lead to a very light and elegant, even dilute, palate featuring cherry, raspberry and complimentary oak flavors. This wine has soft tannins and is rather ephemeral, but lacks excitement. Score: 88. Reviewed July 28, 2014 ARTICLE »