All,

I'm pleased to report that as of a couple of weeks ago, Le Cadeau Vineyard / Winery is officially licensed!

In a forum, it would be bad form to provide TNs on my own wine. But I've recently had a chance to privately taste the wine with a few of you, and a couple of folks have tried the '03. Most have asked if it was OK to post TNs, and I requested that posts be held until we got closer to having the wine available. At this time, if anyone remains inclined to express their thoughts-- good or bad-- please feel free to do so.

As for release date: The labels are being done on a special press in California. Unfortunately, it is heavily booked. We anticipate a limited release over Memorial Day in Oregon. Mailing list and email announcements will hopefully go out by June 1st, and I hope to be filling orders around June 15th.

Thank's friends for you patience. If anyone is interested in the wine (that is not already on the list), please email me at: Tom@LeCadeauVineyard.com

Cheers!

Congratulations, Tom. I'm looking forward to your new bottling, though I really liked the Black Hole name.

Tom,

Congratulations on clearing that big regulatory hurdle!

You helped convert Carol over to the dark side with this delicious, stony pinot. I might need to bump my allocation up ... but how many cases are we limited to?

Steve

Board-O,

You need to discuss the "Black Hole" vs. the "Le Cadeau" question with our mutual friend Latour67. He argued convincingly that I "could not be 'on-hand' to explain the reason for the Black Hole name to every prospective buyer", ... and suggested therefore that a brand name that did not demand explanation was wise. (Personally, I too like the "Black Hole" name, as do others in the Oregon wine community. I predict that you'll see it appear on a label eventually...).

Steve,

Yes, I was delighted with Carol's enthusiasm for the Le Cadeau 2002-- (second only to my banker's enthusiasm, who wrote: "Wow! This is a beautiful wine!"... and then asked the same question you asked: "How much can I get?").

The answer is: For friends, family, long-time supporters, and serious wine geeks, (and my bankers) there are no limits. If I find that I'm running out of wine and cannot implement marketing plans for the future as a result of too much individual enthusiasm and concentration of buying, I may need to put some limits on it down the road.

The 450 cases of the 2002, and the 630 cases of the 2003 should quench most everybody's thirst. The real challenge will be the 2004 which, due to the small crop, will be back down around 450 cases... and divided into three winemaker cuvees. I suspect the 2004 wines will need to be allocated when they come out in about 18-months.

But meanwhile, thanks for the interest and support!

Tom,

Stemor and I will speak with Latour67 about his error in judgement over the winery name at our next Mid-South dinner/tasting in Memphis. I personally like the Blackhole Vineyard name. It draws attention with a certain mystic appeal in my opinion. Oh well, the name will not change the quality of the wine, so bring it on. I look forward to trying it.

By the way, tell Stemor to invite some of the other Mid-South tasters to dinner next time your in town, we would like to meet and talk wine with you as well.

Maxy,

I hope to be through Memphis in the next 3 or 4 weeks. I'll work with Latour and Stemor to set-up a gathering. Look forward to meeting you.

Regarding the name: While I like "Black Hole" (though I think it would work better on a Aussie Shiraz), perhaps it might be helpful to provide a bit of background about the name "Le Cadeau". For those of you that don't speak French, "Le Cadeau" translates into "The Gift". The name has multiple dimensions for us:

When we bought the property, it was raw, never-before-cultivated land. We "hoped" it would have a view (which was fully obscured by 15' blackberry bushes and assorted brush); we hoped it would produce good fruit; and we hoped we would enjoy this journey. After 3-years of clearing, the vineyard ultimately had a beautiful view, the fruit has been exceptional, and it has been great fun and deeply rewarding.

But most importantly, Mrs. BHV and I treasure the relationships: From the Cat drivers that meticulously cleared piles of rocks, to the crew that lovingly takes care of the vines, to the vineyard manager and his assistant that manage each of the 13,000 pinot noir plants INDIVIDUALLY. From the winemakers that have given advice and friendship, to the winemakers that have made our wine. From the friends and family that have visited this beautiful place to those of you that have shared conversation and your lives over dinner, shared your wine with us, sometimes shared your homes with us, and always freely offered constructive advice and encouragement. And, of course, to those of you that look forward to receiving the wine and will enjoy it with your friends and family. To beautiful sunsets!... and glorious mornings in the Willamette Valley!

Mrs. BHV and I did not inherit a bucket of money or make a fortune on publicly auctioned dot.coms. We have been modestly successful, but we're fairly "normal" folks chasing a dream. That we have had the opportunity to do this, and to meet all of you-- past and in the future-- that is the nature of "The Gift"... and the reason for the name.

Cheers,

BHV,

Not only do I like your wine, I love supporting somebody that made a decent living in the paper industry before getting into wine -- so, as far as I know, that narrows it down to you and Alex Golitzen.

When ojeffso starts marketing wine (undoubtably as a broker, not a grower), I'll buy his too.

• 2002 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir Black Hole Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Parrett Mountain (2/23/2005)
  Tom brought the 2002 Le Cadeau Pinot Noir to a pizza lunch with me here in Houston on 2/23/05. Unfortunately while waiting to post the TN I misplaced my notes on the wine.
  
  From memory - note for the initial pours we were tasting out of horrible glassware. It was a clear medium ruby in color with strong floral aromas (even with the poor glassware). The flavors were cherry and raspberry along with cola and spices. It was quite balanced, focused, elegant in style and finished long with remarkable minerality and spice.
  
  I corked the bottle, brought it home and served it blind to Mr. Winetex in a burg glass at the proper temperature. His blind guess on the region was Burgundy and he rated it 91+. Very nice Pinot with some upside potential. I'll be buying.(92 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker!

FYI - Otis and VinoMe among others tasted the wine. They posted their thoughts at:
2000 Le Cadeau PN TN (by Vino Me - WS board)

"Le Cadeau" -- really nice name for a wine.

But what's even better is the story behind the selection of that name. Thanks for sharing that one publically, BHV.

SeaQ, I don't want to sound like an English teacher here, but is the word publicly or publically? I would have thought publicly, but now you're making me think about this a second time and my head hurts.

Thanks all!

Tex, I'm going to get you some mitten clips for your TN's...

Seaquam: Checking-up on my paper industry background, eh? Any personal experience there yourself?

Seaq... Is that the Canadian edition???

Tom,

Congrats. Me and Holly have been looking forward to the release of your wine ever since trying it in MSP. Are you going to ship to ND?

Jeff

What is the retail price and alcohol percentage for the 2002?

Daniel, et. al.,

Winery direct price by the bottle will be $38, less 10% for 6-pack, less 20% for a case. Plus freight. I'm working on distribution arrangements right now, but hope to target wholesale to land on the retail shelf in the $38 range.

My banker (who banks a large chunk of the wine industry) says that is too low (based on his view of the wine, not my client status), but as an introduction for a new wine, it seems fair and appropriate. (That said, he also immediately bought 2-cases... which I think is the desired response).

Personally, I'm very offended by the extreme prices of some (many) unproven, young vine, new introductions.

Thanks very much for the information. When you get a chance if you could let me know the alcohol percentage it would be much appreciated.