September 8, 2010
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Cristom Vineyards
| Owner(s) | Eileen Gerrie, Paul Gerrie |
| Web site | www.cristomwines.com |
| Link to this site |
Cristom's founder and owner, Paul Gerrie, used his skills as an engineer and avid researcher to pursue his passion for wine. On his travels to France, he was introduced to the traditional growing practices of the Burgundy region. He learned that soil (terroir) and site were key in developing the complexity of the fruit. After a 1991 visit to the International Pinot Celebration in Oregon, Paul decided the time was right to leave the East Coast and bring his family and his passion for great Pinot Noir to Oregon's burgeoning wine country.
His dream could not be complete without a winemaker who shared Paul's vision of "letting the land make the wines." Enter Steve Doerner who, after a quarter century of experience, still believes the winemaker's job is to "optimize what nature — the vineyard — provides." In addition to his reputation as a master winemaker with "keen intuition" (possibly from his French heritage), Steve is a biochemist by training. His passion for Pinot Noir was inspired by working at Calera Vineyards with owner Josh Jensen and studying under Jacques Seysses of Domaine Dujac in Burgundy.
The engineer and biochemist set out to cultivate their vision in 1992, which today, can be seen in the seven distinct vineyards on Cristom's 65 acres. The vineyards are planted to high density and yields are strictly reduced. The Pinot Noir vineyards (named after family members) include Marjorie, Louise, Jessie, Eileen and Emile, and vineyard-designates are produced from each. There is also a Reserve and a Mt Jefferson blend of the appellation.
These are outstanding Pinot Noirs with a Burgundian sensitivity. They are consistently excellent and age very well. Chardonnay and Pinot Gris are also produced. Cristom releases several of their wines in half-bottles allowing for earlier consumption. There is good retail distribution. A tasting room is open seasonally.
Articles About Cristom Vineyards
Reviewed Wines
2008 Cristom Mt Jefferson Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., $26. Always the first of Cristom’s Pinot Noir releases
each vintage.
·
Moderately deep reddish-purple robe. Intoxicating
aromas of dark berry tart and exotic baking spices. Delicious, crisp
and juicy berry fruit set off by an intense spiciness that is something I
love in Pinot Noir. Harmoniously crafted offering brisk acidity that
lifts the refreshing finish. A beautiful wine that is fairly forward for an 08 and
can be enjoyed now. Very good (+).
Reviewed August 7, 2010
ARTICLE »
2007 Cristom Salud Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc.,
4 cases. This is a special bottling for the 2009 Salud Oregon Wine
Auction. I bid and won a case of this wine. You can’t buy it!
·
Great
scents of exotic Middle Eastern spice, cardamon and dark red fruits.
Elegantly styled array of redder fruits that are nicely spiced. Bright and
juicy with a big jolt of spiced cherry on the dry finish. Tantalizing like
see-through lingerie. Crazy love.
Reviewed January 22, 2010
ARTICLE »
2006 Cristom Eileen Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $24 (1/2 bottle).
·
A spicy, cherry driven
wine that is alive with scent and flat out delicious. Very harmonious with faint oak influence,
supple ripe tannins and a gentle texture. The best wine of many great wines in this lineup today.
Reviewed December 17, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $24. Composed of fruit from the five estate vineyards
and purchased grapes.
·
Demure scent of Bing cherry and oak
spice. Delicious bright red fruits, especially red raspberry with a
respectful hint of oak and stylish baking spices. Velvety in the
mouth, clean, harmonious and perfectly balanced. Immensely
satisfying and ready to drink now. You won’t find a better Oregon (or
California, for that matter) Pinot Noir for $24.
Reviewed September 15, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Cristom Sommers Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $38.
·
Shy and simple cherry
aromas with a hint of new-mown grass. Sturdy cherry and strawberry fruit with sinew, nicely weighted and
elegant, showing some dry but refined tannins and a touch of heat on the finish. Immature and a bit disjointed,
give this wine a few years to fully integrate.
Reviewed September 15, 2008
ARTICLE »
2006 Cristom Eileen Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $42.
·
Stunning scents of red Pinot fruits, particularly strawberry with a sidecar of oak. Beautifully composed
demure cherry core which has unbelievable persistence. A creamy and seamless wine that is about as
perfect as it gets.
Reviewed September 15, 2008
ARTICLE »
2005 Cristom Jessie Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $24
(375 ml).
·
Wonderfully scented with spiced cherries. Black cherries and black raspberries offer great
purity of flavor. Graceful and supple, with a velvety texture and a pleasing and long dry finish. An
impressive effort.
Reviewed September 15, 2008
ARTICLE »
2005 Cristom Marjorie Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $24 (375 ml).
·
The nose starts off with cherries and a hint of sage, cardamon, and char. With air, the aromas pick up intensity
and fruitiness showing an intense cherry scent. A subtle and discreet wine strutting tasty black cherries,
savory herbs, some earth and a hint of chocolate. A sensual creamy texture urges you to take another sip.
Reviewed September 15, 2008
ARTICLE »
2005 Cristom Eola-Amity Hills Louise Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., $48.
Composed of five estate vineyards from the 65-acre estate in the Eola Hills.
·
Entry is different and interesting
featuring baked cookies, pumpkin spice and black cherries. This Pinot is cherry fruit-driven with a
subtle oak thread running throughout. Very appealing for its finesse and earthiness. Dare I say Burgundian?
Reviewed January 30, 2008
ARTICLE »
2008 Cristom Mt Jefferson Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., $26. Always the first of Cristom’s Pinot Noir releases each vintage. · Moderately deep reddish-purple robe. Intoxicating aromas of dark berry tart and exotic baking spices. Delicious, crisp and juicy berry fruit set off by an intense spiciness that is something I love in Pinot Noir. Harmoniously crafted offering brisk acidity that lifts the refreshing finish. A beautiful wine that is fairly forward for an 08 and can be enjoyed now. Very good (+). Reviewed August 7, 2010 ARTICLE »
2007 Cristom Salud Cuvée Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., 4 cases. This is a special bottling for the 2009 Salud Oregon Wine Auction. I bid and won a case of this wine. You can’t buy it! · Great scents of exotic Middle Eastern spice, cardamon and dark red fruits. Elegantly styled array of redder fruits that are nicely spiced. Bright and juicy with a big jolt of spiced cherry on the dry finish. Tantalizing like see-through lingerie. Crazy love. Reviewed January 22, 2010 ARTICLE »
2006 Cristom Eileen Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $24 (1/2 bottle). · A spicy, cherry driven wine that is alive with scent and flat out delicious. Very harmonious with faint oak influence, supple ripe tannins and a gentle texture. The best wine of many great wines in this lineup today. Reviewed December 17, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $24. Composed of fruit from the five estate vineyards and purchased grapes. · Demure scent of Bing cherry and oak spice. Delicious bright red fruits, especially red raspberry with a respectful hint of oak and stylish baking spices. Velvety in the mouth, clean, harmonious and perfectly balanced. Immensely satisfying and ready to drink now. You won’t find a better Oregon (or California, for that matter) Pinot Noir for $24. Reviewed September 15, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Cristom Sommers Reserve Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $38. · Shy and simple cherry aromas with a hint of new-mown grass. Sturdy cherry and strawberry fruit with sinew, nicely weighted and elegant, showing some dry but refined tannins and a touch of heat on the finish. Immature and a bit disjointed, give this wine a few years to fully integrate. Reviewed September 15, 2008 ARTICLE »
2006 Cristom Eileen Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.5% alc., $42. · Stunning scents of red Pinot fruits, particularly strawberry with a sidecar of oak. Beautifully composed demure cherry core which has unbelievable persistence. A creamy and seamless wine that is about as perfect as it gets. Reviewed September 15, 2008 ARTICLE »
2005 Cristom Jessie Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $24 (375 ml). · Wonderfully scented with spiced cherries. Black cherries and black raspberries offer great purity of flavor. Graceful and supple, with a velvety texture and a pleasing and long dry finish. An impressive effort. Reviewed September 15, 2008 ARTICLE »
2005 Cristom Marjorie Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
13.5% alc., $24 (375 ml). · The nose starts off with cherries and a hint of sage, cardamon, and char. With air, the aromas pick up intensity and fruitiness showing an intense cherry scent. A subtle and discreet wine strutting tasty black cherries, savory herbs, some earth and a hint of chocolate. A sensual creamy texture urges you to take another sip. Reviewed September 15, 2008 ARTICLE »
2005 Cristom Eola-Amity Hills Louise Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir
14.0% alc., $48. Composed of five estate vineyards from the 65-acre estate in the Eola Hills. · Entry is different and interesting featuring baked cookies, pumpkin spice and black cherries. This Pinot is cherry fruit-driven with a subtle oak thread running throughout. Very appealing for its finesse and earthiness. Dare I say Burgundian? Reviewed January 30, 2008 ARTICLE »
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