2016 Lange Winery Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley 750 ml

Over the years, Lange wines have amassed hundreds of top ratings, and glowing reviews from happy buyers who have called these Oregon standard-bearers “Stunning”; “Perfect example of Oregon Pinot”; “Amazing,” and “Awesome Pinot for the Money.”

It doesn’t get much more “awesome” than Lange’s flagship Freedom Hill Pinot, a 96-point masterpiece we’re thrilled to be sharing at our best price ever. In his 96-point review, James Suckling called it “a regal and complex pinot with immaculately curated oak that is played seamlessly into an array of very fresh, concentrated red and darker cherries.” 

Priced at $70 upon release, after a recent visit with Jesse (where we reminded him how long our members have been his biggest fans) we persuaded him to share his flagship Freedom Hill Pinot at $50.

Last year, we made the pilgrimage to the Lange estate, situated at 750 feet of elevation in the Dundee Hills, to taste every current release, including a four-year vertical of the Freedom Hill Pinots from 2014-2017.  

“Freedom Hill was planted in 1986, and my parents started sourcing fruit in 1989,” Lange explained. “It was a new area west of Salem, Oregon, and a new site at the time. At 550 feet going up to 640 feet in elevation, the slopes are east-facing with clear views of Mt. Hood. The soils are marine and Bellpine—a subset of marine sediment that’s 50 million years old.” 

Sitting on Lange’s stunning new patio under a bright, high Oregon sun—on the same 45° North latitude line as Burgundy—we took in views of two volcanos, including Mt. Hood, while relishing the last drops of the 2016 Lange Freedom Hill Pinot (our personal favorite). Ken Wright, Purple Hands, and Walter Scott have all been bitten by the Freedom Hill vineyard bug, but none come close to the quality and value of Lange’s at our case-buy price. 

Wadenswil, Pommard, 777, 667, and 115 Pinot clones were aged in French Oak, of which 40 percent was new. The result is one of the most sophisticated Pinot Noirs from Lange we’ve ever tasted. Showing a deep ruby color in the glass, the ‘16 offers sumptuous blue fruits, perfumed violets, and new-wood cedar aromas. 

Adorned with 96 points and the best price in the nation, the 2016 Freedom Hill is a truly special release for longtime Lange fans. For those just tuning in, don’t miss this remarkable introduction.