Jesse Lange and I were quite happy to receive the following e-mail from long-time Cru Club member and “distant cousin,” Jim Lange. These stories reinforce our passion for producing and sharing Lange Estate wines!
I’m a little late with this email but after you finish reading you’ll understand why (a lot of sipping).
My wife and I had a little get together recently (13-Feb). Over the holidays I mentioned to some friends that I was thinking of having a tasting party after the holidays were over. It just happened to work out that we hosted our party the same night that you hosted the Valentine’s Winemaker’s Dinner. Naturally when I realized the aligning of the stars I had to make it a Lange wine tasting. We worked our way through most of the current vintages as well as some others for contrast. We finished with the bottle that made me not just a distant relative but a faithful patron. See if you can pick “the bottle” out of the list. It goes without saying that everyone enjoyed themselves – as the picture shows.
2008 Chardonnay “Willamette Valley”
2008 Chardonnay “Freedom Hill Vineyard”
2008 Pinot Gris “Willamette Valley”
2008 Pinot Gris “Reserve”
2007 Kissyfish White Table Wine
2007 Pinot Noir “Reserve”
2007 Pinot Noir “Freedom Hill Vineyard”
2000 Pinot Noir “Three Hills Cuvee”
2005 Sangiovese
2007 Tempranillo
So now the task at hand is organizing a trip to Oregon so I can show Mom, my wife, and the “sibs” where “the bottle” came from.
Regards and well wishes,
Your Brother from Another Mother – Jim Lange
Jim Lange & Company Enjoying Lange Wines
Of course, Jesse and I were wondering exactly which wine represented “The Bottle,” (the 2000 Three Hills Cuvee Pinot was Jesse’s apt guess) so I implored Jim to divulge. He sent the following reply:
As for the “the bottle”, Jesse guessed correctly, it would be the 2000 Pinot Noir “Three Hills Cuvee”.
More of the story:
I was out in Portland in 2001 on business and was having dinner at one of the downtown restaurants (alone… so sad). It was my birthday (even more sad) and I decided to treat myself. On the wine list was a wine I hadn’t heard of before, Lange. I saw it as a sign (a good sign, not a sad sign). Since they didn’t have the selection by the glass I got a bottle… all for myself !! It was the 2000 Three Hills Cuvee. I asked the waiter where the wine came from and he said it was a local vineyard. It was a Saturday and I had Sunday to myself so I decided to visit the winery (after I slept in of course – it was a full bottle afterall). I went, I saw, I tasted, and the rest is apparent. I brought back a half case of wine that trip and joined the Grand Cru Club that day. Once I was home I started sharing with the family and friends and as seen in the pic, I haven’t had any complaints!!
All the best for 2010,
The East Coast Brother – Jim Lange
Many thanks, Jim, for your loyalty — and for sharing Lange wines. We await your visit and look forward to sending many fine vintages your way. Cheers from all of us at Lange Estate Winery & Vineyards!
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