Vineyard: Cristom Estate

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Recently Tasted Pinot Noir & Other Wines (11.17 1/20/2018)
Cristom Vineyards: One of America’s Greatest Wineries Delivers (Again) (11.48 7/17/2019)
Oregon Chardonnay Gaining Prominence (10.33 7/6/2016)
Sips of Recently Tasted Oregon Wines (10.47 2/1/2017)

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Cristom Vineyards

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2017 Cristom Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Estate Syrah

13.5% alc., pH 3.51, TA 0.63, $50. Produced from only 1.24 acres in extremely limited quantities. This wine has a cult following. 31% whole clusters, native yeast fermentation, full malolactic fermentation in barrel, aged 19 months in French oak barrels, 36% new. Fined with egg whites and unfiltered. · Dark garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, sassafras, spice, fertile earth and botanical elements. Mid weight plus in concentration, offering an array of purple and black berry fruit flavors with a bit of tobacco oak chiming in. The suede tannins make for easy approachability and there is noticeable density and length on the boysenberry-led finish. Score: 93. Reviewed July 20, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Cristom Estate Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Gris

13.5% alc., 1,244 cases, $20. 5 acres of vines planted in 1993. The only Cristom vineyard planted solely on sedimentary soils. · Light golden yellow color in the glass. Lofty aromas of pear, pineapple, ripened peach, kiwi, nut oil, olive oil and balsam. The flavors echo the aromas with added notes of lemon and melon. Good richness of flavor while maintaining a crispness and brightness. A serious, highly nuanced wine with an uncommon finishing length. Pinot Gris is Oregon’s Rodney Dangerfield varietal as it receives little respect. Yet when made in this fashion, it is a connoisseur’s wine that is highly versatile at the dinner table as well as offering superb aging potential. Score: 93. Reviewed January 20, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2016 Cristom Estate Eola-Amity Hills Viognier

14.0% alc., 978 cases, $30. Cristom pioneered this grape variety in Oregon with a 1993 planting. Barrel fermented in a combination of stainless steel and neutral French oak. · Very light golden yellow color in the glass. Satisfying perfume of tropical fruits including mango and banana, as well as orange peel and grassland. The flavor profile is quite typical with tastes of peach, apricot, citrus and petrol. Nicely composed and refreshing, with the slightest tannins adding body. The finish has purpose and quenching acidity. Along with the Penner-Ash version, this is the best Viognier currently produced in Oregon. Score: 93. Reviewed January 20, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Cristom Vineyards Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Gris

14.0% alc., $20. Grapes planted in 1993, and this 5-acre vineyard is the only Cristom vineyard confined to sedimentary soils. Fermented in stainless steel tanks with no oak barrel exposure. The wine spends several months on its lees. · Light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. Nicely appointed aromas of citrus, spiced pear, honey, vanilla and flint. Slightly viscous on the palate, with appealing flavors of pear, apple, lime and honeydew melon. Bright, clean and very Alsatian in character. I never get particularly excited about Pinot Gris, but this one piqued my interest. Score: 92. Reviewed February 1, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Cristom Vineyards Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Viognier

14.0% alc., pH 3.48, TA 0.58, RS 2.4 g/L, 674 cases, $30 1.25 acres planted on the estate in 1993 by Paul Gerrie, based on the success Cristom’s winemaker, Steve Doerner, had in California at Calera with this varietal. This 1993 planting was a pioneering first for the Willamette Valley as was the first estate release in 1996. The original vines are planted at high density of 2,311 vines per acre in Columbia River basalt soils. Between 2003 and 2010, Cristom planted and grafted just over 2.5 acres of young Viognier vines making the total block 3.744 acres. Fermented in a combination of neutral French oak barrels and stainless steel drums with 2/3 of the barrels fermented with native yeasts. partial malolactic fermentation, aged on its lees in barrel after partial malolactic fermentation for 9 months. Minimal effective additions of sulfur. Lightly fined and filtered. · Very light platinum color in the glass. Inviting aromas of jasmine and other white flowers, pear, peach and tropical fruits. Delicious flavors of pear, apricot and pastry cream, with a hint of tropical fruit and nuts. Slightly creamy in the mouth, with impeccable balance, finishing with a lingering and refreshing presence. One of the New World’s best examples of Viognier. Score: 93. Reviewed February 1, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.70, TA 0.57, 9,562 cases, $32. A blend of Cristom estate Pinot Noir vineyards and fruit sourced from neighboring vineyards in the Willamette Valley. The aim with this wine is consistency each year. Clones 113, 114, 115, 667, 777, “828,” Pommard and Wädenswil. 41% whole cluster, native yeast fermentation, fined with egg whites, unfiltered. Aged 12 months in French oak barrels, 12.5% new. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Engaging aromas of black cherry, ripe strawberry, blueberry, and exotic spices. Mid weight flavors of black cherry and pomegranate have an earthy, rustic lean. Forward drinking and satisfying, with micro grain tannins, adequate acidity and some finishing length. One of Oregon’s most true to type wines that offers special value. Score: 91. Reviewed January 20, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $30. Named after the second tallest peak in Oregon that was named in honor of President Thomas Jefferson, a personal hero of both Cristom founder Paul Gerrie and winemaker Steve Doerner. Made from a blend of grapes from each of the estate vineyards along with fruit sourced from neighboring vineyards. Stylistically consistent. Whole cluster fermentations with native yeast followed by 12 months aging in French oak barrels. Unfiltered. · Moderately light cherry red color in the glass. Virtuous aromas of cherry, spice, rose petal and burnt tobacco. Light to mid weight in style, with bright flavors of red cherry, cranberry and red currant. Simple and straightforward in the characteristic Cristom style, with good attack, mouth presence, notable but silky tannins, and good intensity on the juicy finish. The most approachable Pinot Noir in the Cristom stable and an exceptional value. Score: 89. Reviewed February 1, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Cristom Eola-Amity Hills Estate Chardonnay

14.0% alc., 75 cases, $40, glass stopper. From a 0.5-acre site of the estate plantings first established in 1993. Barrel fermented and aged on the lees. · Light golden yellow color and clear in the glass. This wine seems flawed with bruised apple notes on both the nose and palate. Flavors of Golden Delicious apple, grilled peach, and subtle brioche are presented in sync with a slightly creamy texture and integrated acidity. Unique, but not in a good way. Tasted twice. Score: 85. Reviewed July 9, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Cristom Estate Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., 1,620 cases, $50. First produced in 2013 to replace the Sommers Reserve. An ensemble of each of the four estate Pinot Noir vineyards to tell the story of the specific vintage. Whole cluster fermented by native yeast. Unfiltered. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Comforting aromas of cherry, potpourri, rose petal and herbs. Lighter weighted flavors of cherry and strawberry fruits in a refined, juicy and crisp style with very suave tannins and a modest finish. Elegantly composed and welcoming now, with the slightest herbal oak note in the background. Score: 90. Reviewed January 20, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Cristom Estate Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Syrah

14.5% alc., 251 cases, $50. Sourced from 1.25 acres of estate Syrah, planted in 2001 by grafting over Chardonnay. The vineyard is the warmest on the property. Four Syrah clones are picked separately and blended together. First bottled in 2003 when it was the first estate grown and bottled Syrah in the Willamette Valley. A rarity, since only about 32 acres of Syrah are planted in the Willamette Valley. · Dark reddish purple color in the glass. Aromas of blackberry compote, leather and tobacco lead to a middleweight style wine that drinks like a Pinot Noir. Flavors of blueberry and blackberry are strikingly glorious and nicely spiced with a peppery note. Balanced fine tannins make for easy approachability and my only nit is a hint of alcoholic warmth on the finish. A wine like this makes you think that Oregon should be doing more with Syrah crafted in a cool climate style. Score: 92. Reviewed February 1, 2017 WINERY » ARTICLE »