TN: 2003 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir

VinoMe,

I don't know if you spoke with Tom at all about the wine. If so, is the differnce between the 2002 and 2003 due more to the vintage in Oregon or the new winemakers. How does the 2003 compare to the 2002 at the same stage of development? They both sounds great yet vastly different. Can't wait to try the 2002 again and pop a 2003.

CW

Patiently waiting to receive these.

Vino Me,
Do you remember what the alc% for the two vintages was?

red4life

quote:

Originally posted by Vino Me:
Whereas the 2002 was Burgundian in style, the 2003 was much riper and more opulent.VM

This statment could not be more true.

I enjoyed both vintages, and don't have a preference for one style versus the other. ChillyWino's question is a good one for those with a strong preference one way or the other.

Chilly- In speaking with Tom, I believe that he attributed the difference in style primarily to the weather. 2003 was a hotter year and produced riper fruit. I did not have a chance to talk to him about the winemakers. Perhaps I got that wrong because there was so much going on last weekend. I'm sure Tom will pop in eventually to discuss both your question and mine.

R4L- I can't recall the alcohol on the 2003 but the 2002 had 14.1% alcohol.

To all- Toms website is now up and running with some excellent photos of his vineyards. Take a look. Le Cadeau Vineyard.

VM

quote:

Chilly- In speaking with Tom, I believe that he attributed the difference in style primarily to the weather. 2003 was a hotter year and produced riper fruit.

That is my understanding, as well.

Vino Me Excellent notes, and we are very much in agreement with the description of both vintages. I did rate the 2002 La Cadeau 92/95 and the 2003 La Cadeau 93/95+, which was a tad higher, but both of these wines are solid and an excellent value!

Vino Me, Otis, and Mrs. VM and Mrs. Otis,

First, from me and Mrs. BHV I'd like to extend many many thanks to all of you for the delightful dinner gathering and the CDP party! Everything was wonderful! It was great fun to meet so many folks that have been a part of this forum for so long. And everyone's generousity and hospitality was truly extraordinary. Thanks!!!

I apologize for the slow response (and thanks), I've been up in Northern Michigan on vacation for a few days, and not online much.

VM (and others),

Thanks for the kind comments regarding the 2002 Le Cadeau and your thoughts regarding the 2003. I may have confused you and others a bit with the current and forward plans for Le Cadeau; allow me to clarify:

The 2002 Le Cadeau is actually the first vintage of Le Cadeau, and 2003 is the second. In 2001 (our first harvest from 3-year old vines) we had about 1.5-tons of fruit that was blended into the DePonte Cellars 2001. So as far as Le Cadeau goes, I start the clock with the 2002... but it would be accurate to say that the 2002 vintage is the second harvest for the vineyard.

Both the 2002 and 2003 were made by the same winemaker-- Isabelle Dutarte. She is the resident winemaker at DePonte, and a very talented lady. So no need consider the winemaker as a variable between the 2002 and 2003.

In 2004 (and also for 2005), we will have three consulting winemakers, and each will have a Le Cadeau "winemaker-designated" cuvee. All three cuvees are made 100% from Le Cadeau estate fruit, but the consulting winemakers work with different sections of the vineyard which have diverse clones and soil characteristics. Thus, we will have three wines of common heritage -- the vineyard -- but each has meaningfully different flavors and characteristics.

The 2004 Le Cadeau "Bergstrom Cuvee" was bottled a week ago; the Le Cadeau "Chehalem Cuvee" will be bottled next week, and the "Cheryl Francis-Sam Tannahill Cuvee" will not be bottled until later in the year. The wines will likely be released a year from now.

Regarding the 2003, this is indeed a "riper" more fruit forward Le Cadeau (versus the 2002), and the difference is almost exclusively vintage driven. I have been told by a well-known restaurant owner in Oregon that he considers the two wines to be excellent and "true" examples of the two vintages. The alcohol in the 2003 is 14.6% compared to 14.1% in the 2002.

Please note that the 2003 is not "officially released" at this time because I do not believe it is "ready". I'm anticipating that the wine will formally release around the 1st of the year and will be closer to "ready" in 9 to 12 months. BUT, I've poured the wine for a few close friends, and some have preferred its richness to the "apparently more-structured" 2002. (I use that term because I believe that the 2003 has comparable structure to the 2002 but it is currently masked by the considerable up-front fruit. This becomes apparent if it is tasted 4 - 6 hours after the bottle is opened and / or decanted). For those that have been passionate and / or curious about the 2003, I've let a few cases out the door.

I concur with VinoMe's current preference for the 2002, but I can honestly say this: The 2003 tastes better now than the 2002 did a year ago. I have high hopes for the 2003, but only time will tell if it surpasses the 2002.

Regarding our website, it is a temporary solution to a blank page; the "final" version is still a few months off: http://www.LeCadeauVineyard.com

Again, thanks to all for your support; it is greatly appreciated and very gratifying. AND at the risk of being overly redundant, those that have some of the 2003, or are considering purchasing it, please either hold it for 6-months, or give it 4 - 6 hours of airtime before serving.

Hey BHV, it was a pleasure meeting you and thanks for pouring your wine. I enjoyed both vintages and want to order some as soon as I figure out which forumite I can get them delivered to.

Great notes VM.

I would also like to thank BHVineyard...it was a pleasure to meet you and your wife, and appreciated the opportunity to try both vintages of your PN.
I look forward to seeing you again Tom, and to enjoying your wines in the future.

steve8,

Thanks for the note! Likewise, I enjoyed meeting you and look forward to seeing you at some future event. Glad you liked our wine; let me know where I can send some to you when you get that sorted out. Also, don't hesitate to visit us in Oregon; I'd love to show you around the vineyard!

tyee,

Thanks for the "thanks", but it was truly our pleasure. I was and am first and foremost a wine-geek and collector; it's just that my hobby took a substantial 90-degree turn along the way and we ended up with a vineyard and some wine to market . Deb and I had a wonderful time meeting and chatting with you (and everyone else). We also enjoyed all the Canadian flags strategically placed on each side of Otis' sidewalk! A very nice touch!

Looking forward to seeing you at a future event... perhaps in the Pacific Northwest, eh?

quote:

Looking forward to seeing you at a future event... perhaps in the Pacific Northwest, eh?

BHV,
As was mentioned in Chicago...next summer's WS Offline schedule is wide open...

BHV-

I'm going to be in the Willamette Valley for a few days in a couple of weeks (Sept. 22 & 23). Where can I find your wines (restaurants, tasting rooms, etc.)?

BHV,

Thanks for all the great info. Looking forward to re-tasting the 2002's and trying the 2003's for the first time.

CW

Rob,

Why don't you send Tom an email at Tom (at) LeCadeauVineyard.com.

VM

RobM,

Yes, VM's suggestion is good: email me at Tom@LeCadeauVineyard.com .

I'd suggest you come visit us at the vineyard. I'll show you the vineyard and pour the '02 and '03 for you, if you're interested. We'll be in Oregon on those dates. We're located about 4-miles east of Newberg, and about 2-miles due south of the Chehalem Winery. But you'll need directions to find us.

RobM,

Are you still out there?

TM, please check your PM on VinoCellar when you get a chance.

Thanks.

Had this on 12/30/05. Decanted through a wine filter. Fabulous from the get go. I echo Vino Me:

quote:

Whereas the 2002 was Burgundian in style, the 2003 was much riper and more opulent. The wine had a nice underlying minerality which was evident despite a very solid core of fruit upfront.

Highly recommend and will probably drink these before my 02's.

2003 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (11/25/2006)

Tom brought this into town along with his 2002 and all 3 2004's. My impressions of this wine are very similar to those I posted last year. This vintage is more about ripeness whereas the 2002 was about expressing terroir and balance. For my tastes the 2002 is much more to my liking. However, for those who prefer a California style of PN, this will be right in your wheelhouse. 90 points.

VM

Popped and poured a glass. Initially it seemed out of balance. Tart cherry, cranberry, with hints of earth and spice. A bit of alcohol and acid coming thorough that intensified the tartness. I let it sit for about 30 minutes and then it started to come together. After about an hour it was really singing. The nose was still cranberry and cherry, but the spice and earth seemed more integrated. Great feel with everything coming together. Wish I wouldn't have touched for at least an hour after opening. I will hold my last bottle for at least a year.

You only have 1 left Chilly? You either went through yours quickly or didn't buy enough.

VM

quote:

Originally posted by Vino Me:
You only have 1 left Chilly? You either went through yours quickly or didn't buy enough.

VM

Unfortunately it's the later. I usually only buy 3-6 bottles of anything, in this case I unfortunately opted for 3.

The beauty about being in the Chicago Wine Mafia is that there are about 8 other members who order Le Cadeau every year. So even if you only buy 3 bottles, you are assured that someone will be opening a bottle every 6 months or so. And then Tom comes in about once a year and opens his wines as well. Hence, you go through your own bottles much slower.

I've already had this wine twice and have not opened any of my bottles yet.

VM

quote:

Originally posted by Vino Me:
The beauty about being in the Chicago Wine Mafia is that there are about 8 other members who order Le Cadeau every year. So even if you only buy 3 bottles, you are assured that someone will be opening a bottle every 6 months or so. And then Tom comes in about once a year and opens his wines as well. Hence, you go through your own bottles much slower.

I've already had this wine twice and have not opened any of my bottles yet.

VM

We make it to Minneapolis a few times a year for tastings, so I have a feeling I'll get a few more chances to taste this along the way.

Sounds fun. How do you get to be in the CWM?

2003 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (12/29/2008)

4th time I have had this wine. Haggis opened it alongside a 2004 Rocheaux which I brought from the mainland. We drank these on his patio overlooking Kokohead just outside of Honolulu. Fantastic setting. Notes of cedar, smoke, tar and some vanilla oak on the finish. Seems to have integrated some since the last time I had it and is not as big and fruity. Among the best bottles I've had from 2003. 91 points.

VM

Vino me, my experience with the 2003 Le Cadeau was far different than yours:

notes from 6/15/2005---

2003 Le Cadeau-----Wow! Lush, but in balance, black cherry and other darker fruits in a mineral base. The 2003 vintage of Le Cadeau is very rich and forward. Tom probably wouldn't like me to call it a Pinot/Zin, and it's not, but still this is a rich and a well-made wine that is fruity and with a kiss of sweetness! 93/95+ points. My WOTN


original thread ishere

L67,

Actually your experience was not different than mine. When I first tried this in 2005, my notes were about the same as yours. At the time I said "the 2003 was much riper and more opulent. Bordering more on a California Pinot is style." That comes from the first post in this thread. 3.5 years later the wine has changed. Have you tried it recently?

VM

We opened a bottle of the 2003 Le Cadeau last night and found the color to be youthful and vibrant. However, something is going on with this wine as the fruit has gone from lush and sweet, to a rather tart finish. Has the 2003 Le Cadeau shut down, going thru a metamorphosis, or prematurely ageing and losing fruit? We had no time for decanting, and it may have opened with sufficient time in the decanter.


My opinion is that it has shut down and just needs more time. Again, I see no evidence of ageing in the color, and I expect to see a more favorable wine with more time. I just hope I'm right, because I still have a case+ in the cellar. I might test the progress from time to time, but my target date for this wine is 2011 to 2013, and maybe longer.

Opaque orangish purple. This is starting to show signs of bricking around the edges. Inviting dark fruited nose, showing signs of secondary development -- a nice earthy pinot funk. Expansive on the palate, dominated by the fruit, but there is an underpinning of acidity that provides a bit of lift leading into a moderate finish driven by predominantly resolved fine tannins. This is showing very well right now (and, I'm not a huge fan of the 2003 Oregon vintage, in general).