TN: 2003 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir (USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley)

Sorry to hear your wine was not on par with the notes in this thread.

Did you by chance read this ebob thread before posting. Just kidding.

VM

VM,

Too funny, thanks for posting the link.

spacewrangler,

As noted in the link, it is my standard policy to replace bottles of wine that were "clearly off"; so if you'd like to send me an email at Tom@LeCadeauVineyard.com, I'd be happy to find a way to get a replacement bottle to you.

Our position on such incidents is really no different than what any good restaurant would do in a similar situation. That is, I don't represent or expect that everyone will "like or love" our wine, and so if someone says, "It was OK, but didn't ring my bell"... that's fine, I understand. But when I see a tasting note that says "like 10-sour patch candies in your mouth", and its from an experienced wine taster... then clearly something was wrong, and we'd happily replace the bottle.

Hope to hear from you; and very sorry for the inconvenience and the disappointment.

Best,
Tom Mortimer
Le Cadeau Vineyard
Tom@LeCadeauVineyard.com

quote:

Originally posted by Vino Me:
Sorry to hear your wine was not on par with the notes in this thread.

Did you by chance read this ebob thread before posting. Just kidding.

VM

LOL!
I'll fifth the notion.

spacewrangler ---

Why are you eating Sour Patch Candies?

Seriously, I think the 2003 Le Cadeau is excellent, and usually a 93/96 point experience for me. I have several cases, and have not had a bad bottle. Do you have more than one bottle & where did you get your Le Cadeau??

First class all the way.
Good on you.


<note to self: you must try some of this>

quote:

Originally posted by BHVineyard:
VM,

Too funny, thanks for posting the link.

spacewrangler,

As noted in the link, it is my standard policy to replace bottles of wine that were "clearly off"; so if you'd like to send me an email at Tom@LeCadeauVineyard.com, I'd be happy to find a way to get a replacement bottle to you.

Our position on such incidents is really no different than what any good restaurant would do in a similar situation. That is, I don't represent or expect that everyone will "like or love" our wine, and so if someone says, "It was OK, but didn't ring my bell"... that's fine, I understand. But when I see a tasting note that says "like 10-sour patch candies in your mouth", and its from an experienced wine taster... then clearly something was wrong, and we'd happily replace the bottle.

Hope to hear from you; and very sorry for the inconvenience and the disappointment.

Best,
Tom Mortimer
Le Cadeau Vineyard
Tom@LeCadeauVineyard.com

Hi Tom - I pm'ed you over on eBob...no need to send a replacement bottle, though I appreciate the offer!

Big fan of Cadeaus lineup - as I mentioned in my note, the 2002 is rocking right now. The Sour Patches was the first thing that popped into my head when the juice hit my mouth, it was pucker city...

Lookind forward to the 05s!!

quote:

Originally posted by latour67:
spacewrangler ---

Why are you eating Sour Patch Candies?

Seriously, I think the 2003 Le Cadeau is excellent, and usually a 93/96 point experience for me. I have several cases, and have not had a bad bottle. Do you have more than one bottle & where did you get your Le Cadeau??

I love sour patch candies! Though I didnt have any the day of the bottle

I bought 5 from 20/20 Wines in Los Angeles about 8 mos ago I think...

Im not sure of their provenance for wines, but Ive heard great things...

i wouldn't question 20/20's storage - the place is like a bank vault, though you never know, things always happen... maybe in transport

Nah, it was two day air in the spring. No leakage....

I've had other great wines from 20/20 - but it makes me want to swing over to my storage and snag another and give it a go..

I had a bottle on January 22nd and was surprised at how much better it seemed to be showing. Back in May I thought it would need more time-like a couple of years- to be worth opening, but I think it's just fine to drink now.

BTW, I also think the Diversite 2004 bottling, while maybe better later, is drinking surprisingly well now.

Tom... are you all sold out of 2004s, I assume?

Lent - I think Cadeau is, but you can still find them online.

I only have 3 of Diversite 04, but I want to wind my way through the rest of my 02s first.

Anyone else think the 2002 is drinking well now?

quote:

Originally posted by spacewrangler:
Nah, it was two day air in the spring. No leakage....

I've had other great wines from 20/20 - but it makes me want to swing over to my storage and snag another and give it a go..

i meant transport from Oregon to CA... could also just be the always possible "off" bottle

A favored local retailer began stocking the Le Cadeau wines beginning with the 2002 vintage. BHV shipped samples of the 2003 for consideration and the West Coast buyer for the retailer indicated that the bottles were horrible. Tasted like horse a$$, was his indelicate description.

Tom sent additional samples which proved to more accurately represent the quality of BHV's wines. The retailer was impressed with the quickness and professionalism of BHV's response to the problem. I think the consensus was that there was a problem with a very tiny portion of the production of the 2003 Le Cadeau, either related to the bottles or the preparation of the bottles prior to use. Perhaps spacewrangler got one of these bottles?

In any event, Tom's high level of customer service to not only direct retail purchasers but to the trade should ensure his success for years to come.

PH

Rob,

Yes, unfortunately, the '04s are sold out at the winery. Some are still available at various retailers. Diversite was shipped to Oregon, S. California, NJ & NY, Minnesota, Colorado, and Chicago.

That said, because of the big WS score, Diversite has typically been the first to go... Wine Searcher says there are a couple of shops that still have some.

Still, the '05s will be released soon...

Tom

PH, and others,

Out of 630-cases (7,560 bottles) of 2003 Le Cadeau wine, there have been 4-reported incidences that seem to have evoked responses along these lines. The problem is, I've never been able to find a sample myself, and of the four, none have been retained and returned.

All four have been from experienced tasters; two had come from CA stock, two were sent direct from the winery (as noted by PH above). The feeling of most of them was that it did not seem like a "typical" corked bottle issue.

What is it???? Candidly, I truly don't know. It is possible that it could be cork-related even though it doesn't seem to manifest itself as "corked". Also, I have seen / heard that the very end of a bottling run can sometimes be "off". But in the absence of a sample, I have nothing to test or sample.

Here's what I do know: At 4 out of 7,560 bottles, it represents just slightly more than one-half, of one-tenth, of one percent of the run. At this stage, a lot of the '03 has been consumed. I'd imagine that there have been a few other bottles that I haven't heard about, and maybe a few more that haven't yet been opened. If anyone finds one, please let me know; I'd like to try it myself. Meanwhile, I am relieved that the incidence rate is extremely low, whether it be from corks, bottling, or some other factor.

We often forget that wine is "living stuff", and is subject to variation and impact by all that it comes in contact with. Most of the time every thing works extremely well, all things considered. But on occasion, a mystery taste occurs. In such situations, I believe the only reasonable thing to do is to replace the product, quickly, promptly, and enthusiastically.

Tom - if any of my other bottles from 03 (sourced from 20/20 in LA) do the Sour Patch - I can try and send you some of the juice. But I worry in transit, it will probably be vinegar when it gets to you from Boston.

In my past experience with corked wines, this was showing none of those characteristics...maybe it was storage, transit...or could just be random.