Lemelson Vineyards Thea's Selection Pinot Noir Willamette Valley

Lemelson Vineyards Thea’s Selection Pinot Noir is an elegant, estate-grown Oregon Pinot Noir that brings together fruit from several of Lemelson’s organically farmed vineyards across the northern Willamette Valley. Rather than expressing a single vineyard, Thea’s Selection is designed as a broader reflection of the vintage and Lemelson’s estate terroirs, combining bright red fruit, floral aromatics, savory spice, silky tannins, and vibrant acidity.

For the 2022 vintage, fruit was sourced from five Lemelson estate vineyards—Stermer, Meyer, Chestnut Hill, Rocky Noel, and Johnson Vineyards—all certified organic by Oregon Tilth. The blend incorporates several Pinot Noir clones, including Pommard, Wadenswil, and Dijon selections 114, 115, 667, 777, and 828.

Process & Profile

Producer: Lemelson Vineyards
Wine: Thea’s Selection Pinot Noir
Appellation: Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon
Varietal: Pinot Noir
Vineyard Sources: Stermer, Meyer, Chestnut Hill, Rocky Noel & Johnson Vineyards
Farming: Estate-grown and certified organic
Alcohol: 13.5% ABV – 2022 vintage
Fermentation: Indigenous yeasts
Skin Contact: More than 30 days
Aging: 20 months in French oak
New Oak: 23%
Bottling: Unfined and unfiltered
Bottle Size: 750ml

The 2022 fruit was harvested from October 7 through October 20, averaging approximately 2.9 tons per acre. Most of the fruit was destemmed before fermentation, and native yeasts were used to encourage a natural expression of the estate vineyards.

Tasting Notes

Appearance:
Bright ruby red with excellent clarity and youthful brilliance.

Nose:
Expressive aromas of bright cherry and red raspberry lead the bouquet, followed by subtle notes of dried lavender, anise, black tea, cinnamon, and graham cracker. The aromatic profile is both fruit-driven and savory, displaying the classic delicacy of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir.

Palate:
Elegant and silky, with juicy red cherry, raspberry, cranberry, and darker cherry flavors supported by finely textured tannins. Layers of dried herbs, tea, subtle baking spice, and gentle French oak add complexity without overwhelming the fruit.

Finish:
Long and persistent, finishing with black cherry, cocoa powder, delicate spice, and fine tannins.

Overall

Lemelson Thea’s Selection Pinot Noir offers a classic expression of Willamette Valley Pinot Noir, emphasizing freshness, aromatic complexity, restrained oak, and silky texture.

Because it draws fruit from multiple estate vineyards, Thea’s Selection provides a particularly complete representation of Lemelson’s house style. The combination of organically grown fruit, native-yeast fermentation, extended French-oak maturation, and unfined/unfiltered bottling produces a Pinot Noir with both immediate appeal and enough structure for further bottle development.

The 2022 vintage has also received strong critical attention, including 93 points from Decanter and 91 points from both Vinous and Wine Spectator.

Food Pairing

Excellent with roast duck, grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, roasted chicken, pork tenderloin, lamb, charcuterie, herb-roasted vegetables, truffle dishes, and soft or medium-aged cheeses.

Its combination of bright acidity, delicate tannins, and savory complexity makes it especially versatile with dishes featuring mushrooms, herbs, earthy vegetables, and roasted meats.

Recommended Serving Temperature: 55–60°F

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lemelson Thea’s Selection Pinot Noir?
Thea’s Selection is Lemelson Vineyards’ multi-vineyard estate Pinot Noir, blending fruit from several organically farmed vineyards throughout the Willamette Valley rather than focusing on a single vineyard.

Where is Thea’s Selection Pinot Noir produced?
It is produced in Oregon’s Willamette Valley, with the 2022 vintage sourced from Lemelson’s Stermer, Meyer, Chestnut Hill, Rocky Noel, and Johnson estate vineyards.

What does Lemelson Thea’s Selection Pinot Noir taste like?
Expect cherry, raspberry, cranberry, black cherry, lavender, black tea, anise, cinnamon, cocoa, and subtle baking spice, supported by silky tannins and fresh acidity.

Is Lemelson Thea’s Selection Pinot Noir aged in oak?
Yes. The 2022 vintage spent 20 months in French oak, approximately 23% new.

Is the wine organically produced?
The estate vineyards used for the 2022 Thea’s Selection are certified organic by Oregon Tilth.

Is Thea’s Selection Pinot Noir full-bodied?
It is better described as medium-bodied, emphasizing elegance, freshness, silky tannins, and aromatic complexity rather than heavy extraction.

Should it be decanted?
Young vintages can benefit from approximately 20–30 minutes of air before serving to reveal more of the wine’s red fruit, floral, spice, and savory character.