Named in tribute to Django Rheinhart’s “Nuages,” one of winemaker Jay’s favorite gypsy jazz tunes, the Nuages Pinot Noir is selected from the winery’s neighboring vineyards in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. The name “Nuages,” which is French for “clouds,” also pays homage to the moderating influence of Oregon’s autumn cloud cover, which slows ripening to allow for the long hang time that creates fully developed flavours. The 2010 Nuages is a selection of barrels from the Adams, Lia’s and Olenik vineyards. It has a fine, mineral-infused aroma, with a juicy grip on the mid-palate. As with all of the 2010s, it has a fine purity to it, with excellent balance, an elegant texture and finishes with sweet, lifted fruit.
Native yeast fermentation; 18 months in barrel.