2017 Lemelson Vineyards Pinot Noir Cuvee X Willamette Valley 750 ml

Numbers hardly tell the story of any wine. Numbers don’t convey the pomegranate vibrancy or rose petal aromatics contained in the 2017 Cuvée X. Numbers don’t capture its purity or silkiness or drinkability next to, say, a grilled fillet of wild-caught sockeye salmon. 

But numbers prove that Eric Lemelson’s Cuvée X consistently delivers one of the greatest values among Willamette Valley Pinot Noirs. Chalk that up to multiple sellouts, a 4-out-of-5 all-time member rating, and a remarkable price tag.

Numbers aside, the Lemelson’s purple and red flowers, juicy dark cherries, wild raspberries, and the gorgeous holiday spice note that vibrates through the mouthwatering finish exemplify everything we love about Willamette Pinot Noir—and the bottle bears a humble price. 

Harvested from organically farmed estate vines in Dundee Hills, Chehalem Mountains, and Yamhill-Carlton, the 2017 Cuvée X represents the freshest and most crowd-pleasing wine in the Lemelson portfolio. It’s a special blend that comes from a selection of individual barrels chosen for earlier bottling, a decision that preserves its mouthwatering vibrancy and pristine red fruit.

That verve and approachability proved to be a winning combination during the height of salmon season, when we paired the 2017 Cuvée X with a fresh-caught grilled sockeye, pitting it against a lineup of heavy-hitting Pinot Noirs from Burgundy, California, and New Zealand. Every single one except the Cuvée X was over $50. 

Without question, this wine was the pound-for-pound champ of the night. With energy and class, the 2017 stole the show, proving irresistible next to the fresh salmon drizzled with herb butter. The brilliant acidity cut right through the buttery richness of the salmon without overshadowing its fresh-out-of-the-water nuance, while the floral aromatics added a perfect garnish. We all but forgot about the higher-priced competitors at the far end of the table.