The French-named Lenné Estate does not have French roots, rather English ones. Named for proprietor Steve Lutz’s late father-in-law, Lenny, Lutz and his wife Karen run their Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir farm as an ode to Lenny and his original chicken farm in the London suburban village of Wolkingham. The two planted in 2000 in Yamhill, Oregon, and have stayed on the straight path of Pinot Noir since. The 2012 Jill’s 115 Pinot Noir is an elite barrel selection of a singular clone, from the vineyard’s 115 block that is named after Lenny’s wife, Jill, and bottled into 150 cases.
From a ripe and deep vintage, this particular Pinot Noir showcases black cherry, brambly fruits like huckleberry and boysenberry, nutmeg, mocha and earth. Built to last, the palate is sturdy with spicy and mineral, and dense with dark fruits and a silk-like texture that flips and roughens the edges as it leaves acid to linger.
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