2023 Solena Estate Pinot Noir Grande Cuvée Willamette Valley 750 ml

Winemaker Laurent Montalieu’s custom cuvées have fetched $200+ at the Willamette Valley Pinot Noir Auction. The key to the quality of his spectacular Grande Cuvée? The 1,200 acres of vines, most of them Pinot Noir, to which Laurent has access. 

“We select only the best lots possible,” Laurent told us over a glass of the ‘23. “The Grande Cuvée represents the best of the Willamette Valley, with a diversity of sites ranging all the way from the southern valley up to near Portland.” As usual, the Grande Cuvée includes fruit from the iconic Hyland Vineyard, Eola Springs, and Domaine Danielle Laurent in Yamhill-Carlton, one of Laurent’s marquee sites.

As for the vintage, 2023 was a dream. “It shares similarities with other great Oregon years,” Laurent told us. “Clusters were very well formed—perfectly formed. The intensity and ripeness were very consistent across the valley, and we got incredible balance—acidity, tannin, and freshness all in harmony.”

Over his three decades in Oregon, Laurent has put together an impressive collection of vineyards, including the 80-acre Soléna estate, which has much of his attention, now that he has sold his Northwest Wine Co. He’s working closely with his daughter, Soléna, who is learning the ins and outs of the business as she prepares for her own career in wine. 

Laurent—and now Soléna—are in full stride, making the kind of Grand Cuvée that made it one of our most popular Pinots ever. We’re glad it’s back, and we know our Wine Access weeknight-Pinot lovers will be too!