Résonance Wines Express a Burgundian Vibe in the Willamette Valley

It’s no surprise to anyone who knows me that my palate has a penchant for wines from France. Is it the terroir? The winemaking style of the vigneron? The grape variety? The food, history and overall culture of the country? Perhaps any of those elements… or all of them! Now this: the Francophile wine bubble (in which I’m quite comfortable, by the way) is ready to burst! My group of French #winophiles who sip and savor wines and write about their delicious findings have gathered to explore wines that are NOT produced in France, yet still exude a French vibe. (See below for links to their discoveries.)

From Résonance Wines in Carlton, Oregon, in the Dundee Hills AVA of the Willamette Valley is 2017 Résonance Decouverte Vineyard Dundee Hills Pinot Noir ($65) (sent as a sample). With each sip, this lush wine represents the unique terroir of the Valley, the personal stamp of its French winemaking team, and its storied history involving Maison Louis Jadot and the Kopf family. In essence, this wine exudes “Burgundian vibe” that I crave.

Maison Louis Jadot was founded by the Jadot Family in 1859—the same year as the State of Oregon. Nurturing premier and grand cru vineyards in Burgundy, Maison Louis Jadot earned a reputation for world-class wines made in small lots, capturing the attention of Rudy Kopf, an importer for Kobrand Wine & Spirits and the founder of the wine and spirits division of Macy’s department store in New York. In 1945, Rudy made a pilgrimage to visit Maison Louis Jadot, and the long-standing relationship between the Kopf and Jadot Families commenced. Rudy soon began importing Maison Louis Jadot wines to the U.S., and the partnership continued to blossom through shared investments and appreciation for the next four decades. In 1984, Madam Jadot transferred ownership of the historic wine estate to the Kopf Family. Résonance Wines

In the mid-20^th century, Louis Auguste Jadot invited a young winemaker, André Gagey, to join his team. He was given the title of “President of Maison Louis Jadot” when Louis Auguste Jadot passed away in 1962. Thanks to winemaking traditions for generations, André Gagey worked shoulder to shoulder with the Jadot and Kopf families to help build the Jadot brand to achieve worldwide recognition. In 1992, André’s son, Pierre-Henry, assumed the role of President and in the early 2000s began an exploration of Maison Louis Jadot’s first winery in the New World. A stroke of luck, Pierre-Henry found Résonance Vineyard when Thibault Gagey, the next generation of the Gagey family, was ready to become a member of the wine business. Thibault became the Director of Operations of Résonance in 2013 and Winemakers are Jacques Lardière and Guillaume Large.

Thibaut Gagey – Photo Credit: Resonance Wines

But what is that “Burgundian” vibe I mentioned? Some consider the phrase to signify “handcrafted” or to mean that the wine has softer acidity thanks to fermentation in the barrel, aging on the lees, or the use of malolactic fermentation. Others may think the words indicate Old World characteristics of earth and minerality as opposed to ripe fruit. There’s no wrong answer, to be honest!

To me, “Burgundian” refers to terroir, a specific vineyard site, a wine’s expression of that parcel and the wine in my glass checks that box, too. This fresh and balanced Pinot Noir is from grapes cultivated at Résonance Wines’ Découverte Vineyard, located about 10 miles from the original Résonance Vineyard. On red volcanic Jory soils with golden colored stones, 18 acres at 600-690 feet in elevation include 15 acres of vineyards of which 12.5 acres of Pinot Noir and 2.5 acres of Chardonnay are planted. With a nod to the pioneering efforts of Oregon winemakers, the “Decouverte Vineyard Pinot Noir builds upon the tradition by offering another original expression of the region’s terroir.” At the winery, Pinot Noir grapes are hand-sorted and fermentation and maceration occur in small lots in order to “retain the natural, original character of the site and vintage.”

Decouverte Vineyard – Photo Credit: Resonance Wines

Elegant and complex, I found intense aromas of freshly crushed cherries, cranberries, florals, wood, spice and the slightest hint of eucalyptus. The palate offered bright acidity and moderate tannic structure and flavors of spice, cloves, vanilla, ripe red berries, blackberries, pepper and a thread of minerality. Pair the young, fresh and approachable 2017 Résonance Decouverte Vineyard Dundee Hills Pinot Noir with paté, goat or brie cheeses, salmon, lobster, or vegetable dishes for a taste sensation.

Cheers! ~ Cindy

For more Grape Experiences and a free infographic “4 Keys to a Stellar Wine Pick” click here.

Enjoy the following articles from my #winophiles colleagues.

Wendy at A Day in the Life on the Farm tells of “Countries United Through Food and Wine”

Camilla from Culinary Adventures with Camilla shares “Galette au Chou + 2017 Résonance Pinot Noir”

Terri at Our Good Life tells tells us about “Resonance Pinot Noir and Roasted Pork Loin”

Here at Savor the Harvest I share “Oregon Pinot Noir With a Burgundian Heart – Domaine Drouhin Laurène”

Jennifer at Vino Travels cooks up “BBQ Brisket with Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir”

Linda at My Full Wine Glass shares “Oregon PN for a PNW holiday meal: A Résonance”

Robin from Crushed Grape Chronicles has a discovery: “Découverte! Pinot Noir from Oregon’s Dundee Hills and Mediterranean Salmon” #Winophiles

David from Cooking Chat “Braised Moroccan Chicken Thighs with Oregon Pinot #Winophiles

Jane from Always Ravenous has an “Oregon Pinot Noir Paired with Braised Chicken Thighs, Blackberries, and Fennel Purée”