by Bernard Stramwasser for Le Sommelier, a ‘Certified Good Food Fighter’

In a relatively short time, Le Cadeau Vineyard, based in Oregon’s picturesque Willamette Valley, has garnered remarkable scores from North America’s leading wine press.  Let winery owner, Tom Mortimer, lead you through the highly celebrated 2008 release of all of his Pinot Noirs, from the Aubichon Reserve, through to the several individual cuvées around his property on June 2 at a special dinner at Crush Wine Bar.

Josh Raynolds from Steven Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar, writes:

Tom and Deb Mortimer bought this high-altitude vineyard on Parrett Mountain close to Newberg in 1996 and after almost two years of brush- and rock-clearing had a soil scientist/researcher tell him that he had four distinct terroirs, each of which was capable of producing a different expression of pinot noir. “Being a wine geek,” Mortimer told me, “I couldn’t resist the chance to have four different wines made.” Taking it a step further, he also decided to have each block made by a different winemaker; in past vintages his wines have been made by the likes of Harry Peterson-Nedry (of Chehalem), Josh Bergstrom, Sam Tannahill (A to Z) and Isabelle Dutartre (De Ponte and 1789). Mortimer gives the winemakers free rein so it isn’t easy to nail down a particular style here aside from noting that the wines have been of consistently high quality from the outset. These ’08s, as a group, really deserve some patience.

When:     Thursday, June 2
Where:   Crush Wine Bar, Toronto
When:     6:30pm reception, 7:00pm dinner
Price:      $150.00 per person, excluding taxes and gratuity

Please contact Crush directly to reserve your seat at 416.977.1234.  Space is limited to 35 people.  

Menu created by Executive Chef Michael Wilson and Sommelier Mark Moffat:

Breasola Salad

Grilled Porcini Mushrooms, Watercress, Arugula, Zamorano in Truffled Honey Dressing

2008 Aubichon Reserve Pinot Noir – $49.95 (92 ST, 92 WE)

Grilled Quail

Pine Nut Risotto, Bacon, Watercress & Cassis Reduction

2008 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Rocheux Willamette – $65.00 (92 WE, 91+ ST, 91 WS, 91 WA)

 Escargot

Wild Leeks butter, morels, Pea Shoots & Crispy Filo

2008 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Equinoxe Willamette – $65.00 (92+ ST, 92 WA)
 

Roasted Squab

Crispy Potato Sweet Pea & Spring Onion Fricasse, Currants & Nartural Jus

2008 Le Cadeau Serendipity Willamette – $81.95 (93 WS, 92+ ST)

Roasted Bison

Red Onion Jam, Celery Root Puree, leeks & Chocolate Jus

2008 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Diversite Willamette – $65.00 (93 WA, 91 WS)

Cheese 

Selection of Artisanal “Cheese Boutique” Cheese

2008 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Cote Est Willamette – $65.00 (92 ST, 91 WA, 91 WS)

 

WS: Wine Spectator; WE: Wine Enthusiast; RP: Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate; ST: Steven Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar