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Pinot Noir "L'Ensemble" Nicolas-Jay, Willamette Valley, OR, 2022

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Article code: DEC 95 PTS

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Overview

2022 Nicolas-Jay “L’Ensemble” Pinot Noir (Willamette Valley): highly rated, averaging ~94 pts. Scores: Decanter 95, James Suckling 94, Jeb Dunnuck 94, Wine Spectator 93, Wine Enthusiast 93, Vinous 92. Silky, floral, red-fruited, mineral; ages 8–12+ years.

Details

Critic	Score	Key Comments
Decanter	95	Elegant and refined, with red florals, earth, blood orange, tart berries, silken texture, and savory spice. Decanter notes that L'Ensemble is selected from the estate's best sites and barrels.
James Suckling	94	Fresh cherries, red currants, flowers, dried tangerine peel, savory herbs; silky tannins, lively acidity, and mineral tension.
Jeb Dunnuck	94	Called it a potential "Top 100 Wines of the Year" contender, praising its purity, freshness, fine tannins, and 10–12 year aging potential.
Wine Spectator	93	Cranberry and cherry fruit framed by stony minerality, forest floor, rose petals, and fine-grained tannins. Recommended through 2033.
Wine Enthusiast	93	Rose petals, red cherries, sweet pea flowers, lemon, boysenberry, rosemary, orange zest, silky texture and crisp acidity.
Vinous	92	Eric Guido highlighted wild blueberry and cherry fruit, sweet spice, cola notes, bright acidity, and a youthful structure.

Consensus

The wine's average score among the major critics is about 93.5–94 points, indicating excellent quality and broad critical agreement.

Common Tasting Themes

Across reviews, several descriptors recur:

Red cherry, cranberry, raspberry, and red currant fruit
Floral notes (rose petals, red flowers)
Orange zest or dried tangerine peel
Earth, forest floor, and mineral character
Silky, fine-grained tannins
Bright, energetic acidity
A balance of immediate appeal and cellar potential

Drinking Window

Most critics consider it enjoyable now with decanting, but capable of aging 8–12+ years, with the longest published recommendation extending through 2033–2036.

Among professional critics, the strongest endorsements came from Decanter (95) and Jeb Dunnuck (94), both emphasizing the wine's refinement, site selection, and aging potential.

Jeb Dunnuck 95Points

A jeweled ruby hue, the 2021 Pinot Noir L'Ensemble needs a little time to open in the glass before revealing aromas of fresh pine, ripe cherry liqueur, and toasted spice. Supple and medium to full-bodied, with ripe tannins, it delivers elegant freshness and wonderful purity through its long, mouthwatering, seamless finish.

Wine Enthusiast 93Points

This multi-AVA blend's aromas of blackcap raspberries and sweet/spicy peony flowers are a wondrous perfume accented by notes of rich Indonesian coffee and wet clover. Its bittersweet dark chocolate, lemon and smoked black tea flavors encircle a ball of black-and-blueberries. Silky tannins, bright acidity and a brisk mouthfeel.

Decanter 93Points

Aromatically forward, the L'ensemble is a blend of sites Nicolas Jay works with across the Willamette Valley. This wine captures so well what makes people excited about Oregon's Pinot Noir. Fresh fruit, savoury minerality and umami character. Aromas of strawberry fruit roll-up, savoury clove notes, dusty gravel road and a touch of forest floor. The palate is bright and high-toned fruit.