Remy Wines Lagrein 08

This fascinating and complex red is nearly impossible to compare to other red wine from the Northwest. It's not Cab, nor Syrah, nor Merlot, nor any combination of those. It is meaty yet subtle, rustic yet refined. Its fresh acidity melds nicely with the spicy oak. A young wine from a very age-worthy vintage, this is best cellared for at least two years or decanted if drinking now.

Remy's Lagrein red wine is one of our most unusual and most re-ordered Big Reds Club selections. If you don't know the grape, you're not alone. A scant acre of vines are grown in Oregon's Eola Amity Hills at Illahe Vineyards. Remy takes them all.

Remy’s 2008 Lagrein shows off the beauty of the vintage, a wine that is both complex and supple. It is a true rendition of the varietal having the ability to pair with everything from oysters to lamb to fresh green salad or dessert.

The Lagrein is spicy and pretty. Made traditionally – barrel aged for two years in 50% new American Oak and bottle aged for six months before being released.

Like all Remy Wines the Lagrein is bottled under a glass cork. A late ripener in general, in 2008 the fruit hung at Illahe Vineyards until the first day of November and came into the winery a vibrant red, ripe and beautiful. Unfined and unfiltered. Drink now or cellar for up to ten years.

The 2007 Lagrein was also an Avalon Wine Club Selection.

2006 Vintage Tasting Notes

Get me started on this wine and I just can't stop.

Remy uses a glass cork, and the label is an embossed matt black. Cool. As soon as the cork popped, the scent floors 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.