2008 Lange Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard

Community Tasting Notes (7) Avg Score: 93.2 points

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  6/30/2017 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 92 Points

  It's been barely a month since my last bottle, but concerned as to how that one showed, I decided not to wait. Black cherry, floral and vanilla on the nose. Same overall flavor profile as the prior bottle with black cherry upfront, deeper plum in the middle along with a bit of raspberry and then tart red cherry and raspberry towards the back. Finishes with good acidity, fine grained tannins, mineral notes and vanilla. The difference between this bottle and the prior one were twofold: (1) the acidity was much more in balance with the fruit and (2) this bottle retained more mid-body density and more elegance than the prior one. This bottle showed more along the lines of what I was expecting with pretty fruit, balanced acidity, good contrasts and solid, but not overbearing structure. There will certainly be bottle variation so my recommendation would be to drink this now. If this bottle is indicative, it won't get any better with additional time and given where the fruit and acidity are currently, I would drink and enjoy.

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  5/26/2017 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 91 Points

  Black cherry, floral and vanilla on the nose. It's been two and a half years since my prior bottle and while slightly past peak, this wine continues to show well. Medium bodied (13.5% ABV) with black cherry upfront blending in some softer, deeper plum behind with hints of red cherry and just the lightest touch of raspberry left in the background. Retains good acidity and I have no worries about the structure going forward. Acidity/tannins were actually prominent when first opened and took about an hour for the wine to come into balance. Smooth vanilla, light, integrated spices, acidity and mineral qualities on the finish. The wine has lost a bit of its mid-body richness and density and also no longer has that velvety elegance that I recalled from prior bottles. It's possible there is some negative bottle variation, but there were no real flaws evident. Just felt like a beautiful pinot that has aged nicely, but the fruit is beginning to start its inevitable downhill slide. It's still quite enjoyable and has several years left to it as the blackfruit shows quite cleanly. I don't see additional cellar time as a benefit at this point.

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  5/25/2014 - RGCM Gananda Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Flowers and blackfruit on the nose. Medium bodied and totally smooth with great richness and a wonderfully round, deep mouthfeel. Almost all blackfruit; black raspberry and black cherry. The longer it’s open, the more it shades in some red fruit layers, adding complexity and additional depth. Good mineral qualities and excellent acidity on the finish. Drinking very well now and may still have some room to improve just a little more. Outstanding Oregon pinot noir.

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  10/28/2013 - gordoyflaca wrote: 93 Points

  Very nice. great acidity. Black blue and purple fruits. Juicy, but not jammy.

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  9/13/2012 - MindMuse wrote: 93 Points

  Excellent 08 fruit depth, black and red, cocoa, mineral strain. This is very well structured PN and will further reward cellaring. Great wine. Proud of son-in-law for discovering such a winner. 92-3

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View all 7 Community Tasting Notes

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