2001

This was our inaugural release at Privé Vineyard. (Previous years’ grapes were sold to other winemakers.) The growing season was well suited for Pinot Noir and the harvest season went perfectly. Our two wines came out of the chute with great flavors and balance and has aged with the complexity we had hoped for. We later won the prestigious award for Best Oregon Wine at the NW Wine Summit with this vintage. What a spectacular launch! Le nord has enjoyed a nice long life in the cellar and we recommend drinking it by 2010. Le sud was aged on more new oak and will continue to age well through 2012.

2002

A warmer than usual summer, yet the nights were nice and cool. Our harvest season provided a perfect window to pick the grapes at our idea of great balance and ripeness. This wine has aged beautifully and collected more grace and complexity than even the ’01 vintage. We recommend drinking le nord now and le sud should continue to age well through 2012.

2003

This was our California summer! Although it began with a rainy spring, it swiftly changed to record breaking temperatures loaded with hot days and warm nights — not ideal for Pinot Noir. We are proud to say that our luscious ’03 wines maintained great balance, considering the alcohol was over 14%. We are just now sensing the alcohol coming through on le nord, leading us to encourage you to drink it soon! Le sud should age well through 2010.

2004

A great year for Pinot Noir in Oregon! Our growing season gave way to very complex wines and we are especially proud of this one. It is extraordinary paired with a mushroom or lamb dish! Le nord should age well through 2011 and le sud should be enjoyed by 2013.

2005

You either love this one or you don’t. This particular year was aged sur lies (on its lees all year) and boy did it pick up that Burgundy personality...some call it leather & spice and others call it barn yard. We have had people go crazy over it and others wonder what we did differently. One thing we learned from this year is to continue our typical racking of 3 times per year and keep more fruit and less earthy character going forward. Le nord should age well through 2012 and le sud through 2015.

2006

It began as a typical Oregon spring with some rain and hail during bloom, then off to a good summer. As the clusters developed, we realized that larger than normal berry size could bring less intensity to the wine. A nice Pinot Noir with a happy personality, but it may not develop much more complexity. This one is drinking very well now; le nord should age well through 2012 and le sud through 2014.

2007

The most challenging year for the Willamette Valley in a long time. We all struggled with ripening as an early fall came in and the rains were relentless. Those of us who chose to let the grapes hang well into October hoping for some clear days were rewarded with just enough sunshine to barely ripen. Although the vintage is lighter bodied, we have already seen excellent flavor development and expect patience will win out with this one. Le nord and le sud should age well at least 8-10 years, we’ll keep you updated.

2008

WOW! A spectacular growing season of ideal Pinot Noir conditions for Oregon. This wine has flavor and intensity, yet is very elegant. Time in the cellar will be paid back one-hundred fold! We recommend drinking from 2013 to 2018 on both le nord and le sud. We’ll also update you on this one as we go.

2009

Is it possible for back to back spectacular vintages in Oregon? We sure hope so! Time in the barrel will reveal more. Great hopes for this wine, as it came in with superior flavors, richness and depth.