2017 Cinq Elus pinot noir

This is our finest wine from our finest fruit, made only in exceptional vintages. Our winemaker Steve Lutz selected the single best barrel of each our the five pinot noir clones on our vineyard -- the Pommard clone, and Dijon clones 114, 115, 667, and 777. The five clones are blended in equal proportions, and we feel that the resulting medley of aromatics and flavors is unsurpassed. 

"Cinq elus" is pronounced "sink-elu," it translates to the "five selected" or the "five chosen" in French. 

Moderate garnet color in the glass. Fantastically seductive nose with effusive aromas of black cherry, purple berry and an exotic mixture of Wassail spices including clove. A very classy wine in a mid-weight plus style with richly honed black cherry, olallieberry, mocha, and clove flavors in a hedonistic delight. The fruits are extremely fresh, plump, and perfectly ripened. A serious wine with firm tannins for aging.
96pts, 2017 Lenné cinq elus, The Prince of Pinot.

Individual clone contributions include the silkiness and balance of 777, the tropical fruit and smoothness of 115, the darkly spicy 667, the bright red-fruit and acidity of the 114, and the bold black cherry of the Pommard clones. The final wine is always a concentrated depth of flavor and complexity that matches wonderfully to food, with the lighter or heavier notes coming forth to form a medley with a wide variety of dishes. An exceptional wine when young, we strongly recommend giving our Cinq Elus at least a few years in the cellar, and it will graciously mature for 10-15 years or longer. 

The 2017 vintage was long and hot, with an early bud break and a larger than average fruit set.  Due to the higher than average tonnage,  the 2017 vintage tasted young, red-fruited, and acidic upon bottling. At Lenné we held back our 2017 releases and recommended cellaring for several years. This 2017 cinq elus was not released until December of 2022, once the wine had matured in the bottle, and we feel the wait was well worth it.