2018 Lemelson Vineyards Thea's Selection Pinot Noir Willamette Valley 750 ml

Thea’s Selection is one of the most consistent, classic Oregon Pinot Noirs in existence, cruising alongside luxurious member-favorite bottlings from Lange and Soléna. Showing gorgeous grace and boasting a 93-point score from James Suckling, the 2018 shows exactly why Thea’s Selection is one of our go-to Pinots, year in and year out—and why it’s twice earned a spot on Wine Spectator’s Top 100.

Capturing the magic of the Willamette Valley in its sun-kissed lavishness, cool-climate elegance, mouthwatering freshness, and forest-floor savoriness, Thea’s Selection is sourced from all seven of Lemelson’s estate vineyards. These impeccably manicured vines are spread across the Yamhill-Carlton, Chehalem Mountains, and Dundee Hills AVAs. They’ve been farmed organically since inception, a practice in keeping with founder Eric Lemelson’s overarching philosophy of sustainability. 

Lemelson, who moved to Oregon in the late 70s, was an environmental lawyer before falling in love with Pinot Noir and planting his first vineyard in 1995. He built and continues to improve his gravity-flow winery, which processed its first harvest in 1999, using the most environmentally sound methods and materials available. While costly, the result of Lemelson’s powerful and comprehensive winemaking vision shines in the glass with striking, terroir-driven purity and transparency.

Fermented with native yeasts and then aged for 15 months in 30% new French oak barrels, the dazzling 2018 has subtle notes of vanilla bean and cardamom on its lengthy palate, with fine-grained, silky, polished tannins. It’s another spectacular Pinot Noir from one of the Willamette Valley’s finest.