Yesterday, I had the opportunity to talk with Dai Crisp, owner of Lumos Wine Company. Lumos is a relative newcomer to the winemaking scene in Oregon's Willamette Valley, but is making some excellent Pinot Gris, Gewurtz, and Pinot Noir. Mr. Crisp formerly worked at Temperance Hill and Croft. They have a small estate vineyard (Wren), but continue to source a lot of their fruit from Temperance Hill.
It was kind of a random meeting, I just happened to be in the restaurant when he and the wholesaler stopped by to chat up our sommelier. But he was a very engaging guy, a real geek of the kind I get along with very well. We talked pinot mutations, valve and propeller pumps that won't oxidize grape must, what happens to vineyards if the winter is too mild - serious geek.
The wines were pretty good too. His base level 2008 pinot was rich and elegant at the same time, and I didn't hate either of his Pinot Gris selections, one done all in tank and another with some neutral oak treatment. I mention the Pinot Gris thing...I don't hate it, but I haven't had much that was noteworthy. Ever. If I had the choice, I would just as soon pick another Alsace variety in most cases. Stay tuned, however, I am planning a big tasting to retrain my palate on the issue.
No comments:
Post a Comment