Owen Bargreen on Lundeen Sparkling & 2021 Selections

Ownen Bargreen, author of an expert’s guide to Washington, Oregon and California wines, recently tasted through our current release non-vintage sparkling wine and 2021 Chardonnay and Pinot Noir collection. Thank you, Owen, for your thoughtful notes and reviews!


Dr. Owen Bargreen is the founder/executive editor of OwenBargreen.com, formerly Washington Wine Blog. He is a clinical psychologist and has his private practice in the Seattle area. Dr. Bargreen is a Level 2 Sommelier from the Court of Master Sommeliers and a former editor at world-recognized wine publications Vinous and Decanter.

NV Lundeen ‘Willamette Valley Brut’ Sparkling Wine

   The NV Lundeen ‘Willamette Valley Brut’ Sparkling Wine is a blend of 60% Pinot Noir with 30% Chardonnay and the remainder Pinot Gris. This is elegant bubbles with lemon rind and stony mineral tones on the palate alongside Gravenstein apple notes. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030   

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NV Lundeen ‘Brut Reserve’ Sparkling Wine

   The ‘Brut Reserve’ comes from the Robinson and La Cantera Vineyards, as this has a Pinot Noir and Chardonnay base from the 2018 and 2019 vintages. This offers good richness and refinement with Challah bread and wild mushroom notes alongside bright citrus and melon fruits. Very well-made, and slightly more complex at a warmer temperature, this is a resounding success that captures the art of blending. Enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2024-2032   

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2021 Articulate Chardonnay

   The 2021 Articulate Chardonnay was sourced from the Robinson Vineyard which is an 8 acre site set on Saum soils. This is nice and fresh with salty soils that mingle well with bright pear and starfruit flavors. Nicely textured, enjoy over the next six years. Drink 2024-2030   

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2021 Articulate Pinot Noir

   The 2021 Articulate Pinot Noir comes from a range of sites throughout the Willamette Valley. Stored in 10% new French oak before bottling. Tart red fruits combine with baking spices and orange peel flavors on the palate. Round and smooth on the mouth, this is a great, already nicely evolved effort. Drink 2024-2030   

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2021 Lundeen ‘La Colina Vineyard’ Pinot Noir

   The really good 2021 Lundeen ‘La Colina Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this Dundee Hills site that was first planted in 1999. This is wonderfully stony with layers of pretty red fruits that combine with kumquat rind flavors on the palate. Soft and refined, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2024-2032   

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2021 Lundeen ‘La Cantera Vineyard’ Pinot Noir

   The 2021 ‘La Cantera Vineyard’ comes from this site in the Chehalem Mountains AVA. This site sits atop Rex Hill winery and is set on loess soils. The palate is smooth and elegant with a seamless texture and beautiful verve. A generous core of red fruits greet you as this finishes long with salty soils. Drink 2024-2034   

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Lacie McElvainComment