Artisan Wine & Spirits® Willamette Auction Prince Hill Pinot Noir The Lost Clone 2016 (Dundee Hills, Oregon) – 6043193082015

About This Wine:

This vineyard dates back to 1983, when Oregon wine pioneer Dick Erath planted it. He was the long-time owner of Prince Hill Vineyard in the Dundee Hills until 2017 when it was sold to Silver Oak for its Twomey winery. The vineyard is planted to Clone 95, also known as the Erath clone. The wine itself was made by  Laurent Montalieu, a meticulous enologist from Bordeaux who focuses on each wine’s sense of place.

The clone traces back to the famed Clos Vougeot: a friend of Dick’s was in Burgundy at Clos Vougeot while they were pruning, and appealing cuttings laying on the ground. Figuring he knew someone who would love the gift, he was granted permission to bring the cuttings back to the states and gave them to his friend. Dick sent them to Professor Goheen at UC Davis to be studied and identified. Years passed, and Erath, who was busy establishing new vineyards and growing his brand, forgot about the vines. Goheen was retiring and cleaning out his desk when he found at the very bottom a certificate for the vines which had been designated Clone 95. Nearly three decades after he originally sent the clippings, this “lost clone” had a name.

The 2016 Prince Hill “Lost Clone” Pinot Noir is the ultimate homage to the elegance and age worthiness of a great red Burgundy. It is regal with complexity and depth, delicate and defined with chewy and bright fruits on the attack and smooth, soft tannins rounding out the finish. It is the kind of wine that will be just as graceful in a decade and pick up character along the way.

Technical Details

VINEYARD: PRINCE HILL

BLOCK: 3

CLONE: 95

AVA: DUNDEE HILLS

WINEMAKER: LAURENT MONTALIEU

HARVEST DATE: SEPTEMBER 20, 2016

BOTTLING DATE: SEPTEMBER 26, 2017

ALCOHOL: 13.8%

Ratings & Reviews

95 Points & Cellar Selection – Wine Enthusiast (2015 vintage): 

“The back story of this wine could fill a novel; most notable is the fact that Oregon pioneer Dick Erath’s Clone 95 is originally from Clos Vougeot cuttings. Here, it’s featured with exceptional gravitas, from the opening cherry, fruit leather and compote aromas to the generous assortment of black fruit and sweet spice on the palate. Coffee liqueur notes, a whiff of smoke and a lingering finish make this very special. Drink now–2035.” – Paul Gregutt (6/1/2018)