Oregon Wine
Oregon Wine - Dominique Lafon on Oregon's 2009 Vintage
Evening Land Vineyards' Consulting Winemaker
Dominique Lafon is consulting winemaker at Evening Land Vineyards. Here are his remarks on the 2009 vintage.
"We have been working at Seven Springs trying to achieve elegance in our Pinots. I feel this is what is great in Burgundy. Great taste, long finish, balance, fine tannins and elegance."
"In 2009 I think we achieved the most elegant wine since I started working at Seven Springs. A bit less weight than 2008, lower alcohol and finer tannins. These wines are lucious and seductive. The 2008 vintage was more a vintage of power and concentration, which will also be found in the 2010 wines although I think the 2010's have better acid balance than the 2008's along with better fresh fruit flavors. For my taste I prefer the style of the 2009's, rich, liquid silk." -- Dominique Lafon
Evening Land Vineyard owns Seven Springs Vineyard and in two vintages, the winery has become the fastest rising star in the state. The vineyard was previously divided among many different wineries, each with their own ideas about how their block was cultivated. Dominique has unified the vineyard, and advises the team improving the site, trying viticultural methods used at his famed Domaine des Comtes Lafon in Burgundy.
Mark Tarlov, owner of Evening Land Vineyards, and Dominique are actively searching for additional vineyard land in Oregon. Success has led to a need for more fruit. As is typical of the innovative Mark Tarlov and master winemaker Dominique Lafon, they are pursuing their own ideas, considering vineyard land away from the famous Dundee Hills.
Well known for his beautifully-crafted Chardonnay, Lafon says he has been making more than 100 barrels of red wine for more than 20 years in the Volnay and Monthélie regions. Lafon owns 36 acres from which he makes Mâcon under the Les Heritiers des Comtes Lafon label.
“I believe in the spirit of the Côte de Beaune - it is in me,” said Lafon, who has managed his family’s estaet in Meursault since 1987. “With Seven Springs, we work with the land and the soils in the traditional way, looking to create the right balance in the glass.”
Articles about Evening Land and Dominique Lafon -
Dominique Lafon in Oregon
A European Superstar for Evening Land Vineyards
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The French Connection - Import Plans
Seven Springs Vineyard Sold to Evening Land Vineyards
By Christina Kelly
Avalon Editor/Writer
