Remy Wines Lagrein 06
Remy Wines Lagrein 06 - get me started on this wine and I just can't stop. Gossip is that Remy's Lagrein was a hit at the ultra swank Bandon Dunes Golf Club - where the super sophisticated wine drinkers go to relax (translation, billionaires). Apparently Remy's Lagrein 07 was found fascinating, even by people who can have anything they want. Piqued our curiosity.
She uses a glass cork, and the label is an embossed matt black. Cool. As soon as the cork popped, the scent floored us. It is a super- perfumed bundle of raspberry, vanilla, fresh saddle leather, and, yes, hints of bread pudding. Hints of black plum as well.
After a lot of swirling and sniffing, time to venture a sip. Succulent. Sweet, deep black fruit flavors (black plum, black cherry, black currant, briar). Tellicherry peppercorn, meaty (as in charecuterie). Unusual. Giant. Creamy, like a rich pudding, but with a tannic backbone and berry style acidity that enlivens the wine. Remy took inspiration from the traditional Italian style - rustic and hearty; she added her own distinct northwest twist.
The Remy Lagrein 06 is a bit young. As Adrienne says, this is a wine to age for 5-6 years - something I really want to do, if I can resist showing off my few bottles to friends.
Marcus and Adrienne agree that Remy's Lagrein screams for game sausage - elk, venison, or maybe Oregon lamb. Or perhaps cassoulet.
"A richly textured, rustic, highly tannic wine made from very low-yielding vines, with the scent of wild mulberries. This is a rare Italian grape variety, recently introduced to Oregon." - Portland Monthly September 09
Remy makes about 60 cases of Lagrein from one acre of grapes planted at Illahe Vineyards, in the mid-Willamette Valley, not very far from Avalon Wine. As far as we can tell, it's the only Larein in the entire northwestern US.
Yes, it's pricey. It's also fascinating. Give it a try if you're up for something different.
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