What's So Great About Pinot Noir: Part 3 Steve Lutz Lenne Estate

The Minstrel and Muse Wine Tour, 3rd Thursdays.  November's show: New World Pinot Noir: California (Carneros), Oregon, and Chile through the words of winemakers on the episode What's So Great About Pinot Noir?

Miles (From Sideways) on Pinot Noir: "It's a hard grape to grow... it's thin-skinned, temperamental, ripens early. Only somebody who really takes the time to understand Pinot's potential can then coax it into its fullest expression. Then...its flavors, they're just the most haunting and brilliant and thrilling and subtle and... ancient on the planet."

Part I: Francois Lurton, 5th generation wine grower from Bordeaux. Owner, Francois Lurton SA. Imported by Winesellers Ltd.

Part II: Michael Richmond from Bouchaine Vineyards in the famed Carneros region of California.  He helped found the Steamboat Pinot Conference over 30 years ago, which attracted winemakers from around the world and brought them together to share experiences and knowledge to help increase quality.  He founded Acacia winery and is now head winemaker at Bouchaine.

Today's episode is Part III: Steve Lutz winemaker for Lenne' Estate in Northern Willamette Valley, Oregon.  He chose a vineyard site with the "worst soil in the county".  We'll find out why it's producing exceptional pinot.