2012 Cuvée Lola WV Pinot

Some things are worth waiting for

A Story: This wine is named after our daughter, Lola. It is a presentation of hope. We bottle it in exceptional vintages only, then cellar for complexity to release after five years. Hope manifest, we give you Lola.

The Cliff Notes: The color is dark garnet red. The first aroma sets high and refined expectations with black pepper and Burgundy. The nose on this serious wine throws deep cherry, grilled game, kind baby diaper and a progressive wheel of green/to blond/to tan/to black pepper spice. The palate is expansive and super-built of dark red fruits and fresh Queen Anne cherries on a savory frame. All in, it meets its calling, it holds its weight, and it’s really, really good.

The Building of: These are the combined, singular best barrels from the two best barrel lots in 2012. They were wild-yeast fermented in stainless steel, 100% barrel aged for 18 months in French oak (one new & one once filled). Bottled unfined and unfiltered in March 2014, the wine was cellared underground until release after more than 60 months.

Ageability: Absolutely decant to get it air within its first three years. Well cellared you should anticipate additional complexity during its first 15 years with a potential 10- to 20-year drinking horizon.

Vineyards: The singular best from two vineyards were combined and are represented: Temperance Hill’s (33-year-old) later and cooler high-elevation Front Block vines, at the top of the Eola Hills AVA, delivered old-vine complexity with fresh acidity. St. Dolores Estate’s (4-year-old) Pommard clone, from the 10+10 Block in front of the winery (Chehalem Mtns AVA), delivered surprisingly structured, and yet juicy, wines of substance.

— Jim Prosser, owner/winemaker