Luczy selects the best from Nicolas-Jay

Nicolas-Jay, Bishop Creek Chardonnay, Yamhill- Carlton, Willamette Valley

2017 91

N/A UK www. nicolas-jay.com

Sourced from organic, newly planted upper blocks of the estate Bishop Creek Vineyard. Just two barrels of the domaine’s only white wine were made. Aromas of cinnamon, apple blossom and French toast, the latter from 13 months in French oak. Honeydew melon, mango and yellow apple on the palate. A supple, acid-driven but not sharp expression of Willamette Valley Chardonnay. Drink 2020-2026 Alcohol 13.5%

Nicolas-Jay, Bishop Creek Pinot Noir, Yamhill- Carlton, Willamette Valley

2016 94

£99.99 Berry Bros & Rudd

From Nicolas-Jay’s estate vineyard, 100 cases were made of this organic wine. Poised and patient at first, aromas are driven by red and citrus fruits with a subtle woodsy quality in the background. The palate is silky and focused, with an elastic texture not unlike a bungee cord, snapping into an explosive and multi-faceted finish. A kingpin of the Nicolas-Jay line-up. Like all the Pinots, it spends 15 months in French oak. Drink 2020-2035 Alc 13%

Nicolas-Jay, Own- Rooted Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 94

£94.99 Berry Bros & Rudd

A blend of entirely non-grafted vineyard sites, this takes the purity of forest, citrus and red-fruit found in the other wines to another level – like a lid came off that you didn’t know was on in the first place. Seductive, enticing, three-dimensional, with notes of root beer, clove and struck matches. Drink 2020-2035 Alc 13.5%

Nicolas-Jay, Momtazi Vineyard Pinot Noir, McMinnville, Willamette Valley 2016 93 £65-£94.99 Berry Bros & Rudd, BI Wines & Spirits

Momtazi is the most savoury, structured Pinot in the portfolio. Aromas of conifer and rose, plus a meaty note reminiscent of porchetta. The palate is edgy and firm, with a long, focused and nuanced finish that slowly builds in intensity. Quite rapidly went from being reticent to beautifully expressive. Eighty cases produced. Drink 2020-2032 Alc 13.5%

Nicolas-Jay, Nysa Vineyard Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills, Willamette Valley 2016 93 £94.99 Berry Bros & Rudd

Perfumed, fine and elegant, Nysa exudes aromas of cherry blossom and rose water.

The texture is deft and its complexity sneaks up on you, with notes of nectarine skin and tangerine appearing long after the wine has left your palate. The majority of the Nysa Vineyard was planted in 1990 to own-rooted Pommard clones. Eighty cases produced. Drink 2020-2032 Alc 13%

Nicolas-Jay, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2017 93

£64.99 AG Wines, Berry Bros & Rudd High-toned with aromas of wet earth, Earl Grey tea and cocoa, and flavours of pomegranate and red-plum skin. Hits the mark of a classic Oregon Pinot Noir, and one can see the Méo- Camuzet influence, albeit with a softer generosity. The blend is based around Bishop Creek Vineyard, with smaller portions of other sites including Hyland, Knight’s Gambit and Hopewell. Drink 2020-2030 Alc 13.5%

Nicolas-Jay, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2016 93

£72.75 Berry Bros & Rudd

Ripe but restrained for what was a warmer vintage in the Willamette. Aromas of pine cone, hazelnut and dried mushroom, then flavours of black cherry and salted watermelon rind. There is a pleasing tension across the 2016 Nicolas-Jay

line-up, gliding back and forth between plump, svelte fruit flavours and a subtle, sinewy grip. Drink 2020-2029 Alc 13.5%

Nicolas-Jay, Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley 2015 92

£71.67-£72.75 Berry Bros & Rudd, Millésima Plush and structured, with aromas of baked cherries, clay and conifer. The texture is muscular as Oregon Pinot Noir goes, finishing with a velvety grip that hangs in the background. A ripe and forward vintage handled with care and grace. Despite 2015 being the hottest year on record in Oregon, Nicolas-Jay was able to get its fruit in early and arrive at 13% finished alcohol. Drink 2020-2029 Alc 13%