Pale ruby color; cherry, raspberry, dried fig, oak spice, nutmeg, black pepper, forest floor on the nose and palate.
Dry; supple, velvety tannins are nicely integrated with cleansing acidity and the delicious red fruits. Light-medium body. Very approachable and food friendly. Grapes come from Domaine Lumineux’s 42-acre, LIVE certified, sustainable vineyard. It is blend of pinot noir clones—37% Clone 777, 31% Clone 667, 23% Pommard, 6% Clone 115, 3% Clone 114. The wine spent 10 months in 100% French oak, 33% new. 13.5% ABV
Daomaine Lumineux was founded in 2019 by acclaimed filmmaker—and winery owner—Francis For Coppola. Located in the renowned Dundee Hills, some of the vines were planted as early as 1997. Vineyard elevations range from 670 to 870 feet, delivering cool and late-ripening growing conditions. Certainly the grapes in this effort exhibit depth and ripeness.
Initially, the effort was called Domaine de Broglie, reflecting Coppola’s passion for science and the groundbreaking work of Louis de Broglie’s work in quantum mechanics. In 2023, the operation changed its name to Domaine Lumineux to celebrate the relationship between light and wine. A new tasting room was part of the name change, a move forced when a fire destroyed the original tasting room in 2021.
Despite changes, Coppola remains at the head of the wine company. Winemaker Dave Petterson remains the winemaker, a role he has played since 2007—a dozen years before the Coppola acquisition. Prior to Coppola, the operation was called Vista Hills Vineyard. Coppola instituted minor tweaks, such as use of less sulfur and a focus on single-block designations for higher end pinot noirs. The Cuvée is a blend of blocks and is the entry-level label.
Domaine Lumineux Cuvée Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon 2021 is the fruitier, richer of Domaine Lunineux blended clones pinot noirs. The Reserve Pinot noir is more complex and elegant, but the Cuvée delivers its share of finesse and complexity. The Dundee Hills are rightly famed for pinot noir and this clearly upholds that tradition. Pair with quality cuts of beef—filet mignon, prime rib; turkey, duck, roast chicken, quail; seafood—salmon, Artic char, rainbow trout, tuna, barramundi, mahi mahi, mackerel; lamb—buttterflied, chops, grilled; roast vegetables—butternut squash, mushrooms. Cheese—brie, camembert, goat cheeses, gruyère, brie, gouda, taleggio, cambozola, havarti, aged cheddar. $60
