Ayres Vineyard Lewis Rogers Lane Pinot noir 09
2009 Tanzer - 92 points - Bright ruby-red. Exotically perfumed bouquet of candied red and dark berries, potpourri and gingerbread, with a deeper note of licorice coming up with air. Juicy, deep black raspberry and cherry flavors are given sharpness by tangy acidity. Finishes silky and long, with repeating floral and spice notes. - Josh Raynolds
2009 Wine Advocate - 90 points - The 2009 Pinot Noir Lewis Rogers Lane is a blend of all the clones from the estate vineyard. Damp earth, underbrush, leather, and assorted red and black fruits compose the bouquet of this savory, nicely proportioned offering. In the glass it reveals excellent depth and concentration leading to a lengthy, pure finish. It is likely to evolve for 1-2 years and will deliver optimum drinking through 2019. - Jay Miller
Black raspberries, blueberries on the fruit spectrum, baked brown sugar and caramel and dried tobacco, forest floor, and hints of saddle leather round out the earthy goodness of this wine. Aromatically you will be greeted with dried lavender, rose petals, and sandalwood. This wine offers a bigger mouth feel than the Ayres 2009 Willamette Valley Pinot noir.
Katherine Cole, in the Oregonian, said:
"Sometimes an address says everything about a wine. Knowing that Ayres is located just down Lewis Rogers Lane from Brick House Vineyards and shares the tiny Ribbon Ridge subappellation with labels such as Beaux Freres, Patricia Green Cellars and Trisaetum should be enough to convince you to try this bottle."
"A 2008, it's deliciously smooth and approachable for its young age, with luscious ripe blackberries, reedy brambles and licorice on the nose and palate, finishing with a potpourri of spices. Plus, owners and family members Brad and Kathleen McLeroy and Don and Carol McClure might just be the nicest folks in wine country. What more can I say?"
We could not agree more. This is a fantastic value, and another amazing wine from young winemaker Brad McLeroy. He is one of Oregon's rising stars.
The Vineyard
AYRES Vineyard & Winery was purchased in September 2000 by business partners and family members, Brad McLeroy & Kathleen McClure-McLeroy and Don & Carol McClure. The existing filbert orchard was cleared that November and the first 3 acres of vines (Pinot Noir clone 667) were planted in March 2001. Currently the vineyard is planted to 6 acres of Pinot Noir clone 667, 3 acres of Pinot Noir clone 115, 4 acres of Pinot Noir clone 777, 1 acre of Pinot Noir clone 113, and 4 acres of Pommard. The vineyard is also host to an experimental plot of white grape varietals, including Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc, and the little known Pinot d’Auxerrois.
