Vineyard: Louise

OwnersRobert Pamplin, Jr.
AppellationYamhill-Carlton District
StoryAnne Amie vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2017 Cristom Louise Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., 725 cases, $65. Unfiltered. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Enthralling aromas of muddled cherry and sous bois. Very juicy, with vivid flavors of purple and black fruits and spice. Impeccable balance, with an energetic and extremely long finish. Choose any superlative you want. I fell hard for this one that was still enchanting when tasted the following day from a previously opened and recorked bottle. Score: 96. Reviewed July 20, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Cristom Louise Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., pH 3.73, TA 0.57, 945 cases, $65. Vineyard planted in 1993 and named for winegrower and owner Tom Gerrie’s great-grandmother, Louise Dinkelspiel. The lowest elevation Pinot Noir planting on the Cristom estate. The first vineyard established by Cristom and densely planted. 43% whole cluster native yeast fermentation. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 56% new. Bottled fined with egg whites and unfiltered. · Moderately light garnet color in the glass. Aromas of black cherry, clove, brioche and barrel lead off. More aromatic the following day, showing attractive cherry, spice and dried rose scents. A well balanced wine with harmonious flavors of dark red and purple berry fruits and firm, but supportive tannins. Silky in texture, with some finishing power, This wine was more expressive when re-tasted the following day and even better when re-tasted two days later from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Score: 93. Reviewed January 20, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Cristom Louise Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., pH 3.78, TA 0.58, 856 cases, $59. The first vineyard established at Cristom in 1993 and named for founder Paul Gerrie's maternal grandmother. Densely planted at 2300 vines per acre on the upper slopes of vineyard ("Upper Louise") and 1,815 vines per acre on the lower vines closest to the winery ("Lower Louise"). Louise has the most dramatic soil diversity among all Cristom vineyards. 9.31 acres are planted with Dijon 113, 114, 115 and 777 and Pommard clones. Harvest Brix 23.6º-25.1º. 42% whole clusters. No cold soak before native yeast fermentation. Minimum effective additions of sulfur and tartaric acid. Bladder pressed and aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 51% new. Bottled after fining with egg whites and unfiltered. · Light cherry red color in the glass. The aromas of crushed cherry, spice, rose petal, pine sap and vanilla oil draw your nose into the glass. A perfectly ripened core of dark red cherry essence fills every nook and cranny in the mouth and really clings to the finish. There are nuances galore, including accents of cardamom spice, boysenberry juice and subtle oak spices. The wine has noticeable energy and enough tannin for the long haul. Even more giving when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle exhibiting dreamy balance. Score: 95. Reviewed December 13, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Cristom Louise Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $58. This vineyard was the first established by Cristom. It is densely planted at 2300 vines per acre on the lower slopes of the property. Typically the last single vineyard to be released. More concentrated and dark fruited than other estate Pinot Noirs. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Very shy nose initially, offering more pleasure over time in the glass with aromas of cherry, rose petal, underbrush and vanilla. Gorgeous core of well-spiced black cherry fruit clothed in muscular tannins. There is amazing length on the generous finish which sports a refreshing spark of acidity. Still very young and tight, lacking Pinot delicacy, but suggesting a tremendous upside potential. Score: 92-93. Reviewed December 11, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Cristom Louise Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $44. · Moderately light reddish-purple color in the glass. Aromas of dark red fruits, forest, and wood shop rise from the glass. Tasty core of dark red cherries and berries with a hint of stem. Builds in intensity over time in the glass. Plenty of body and backbone, with a mild grip of tannin, this is a seamless wine that has a way to go before it reveals itself. Very good. Reviewed May 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Cristom Louise Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., pH 3.86, TA 0.56, 575 cases, $50. Lowest elevation hillside vineyard planted to high density of 2300 vines per acre. Pommard, 2A, 114, 115 and 777 clones. 42% whole cluster and 100% native yeast fermentations. Aged 18 months in 58% new Burgundian oak barrels. · Medium garnet color in the glass. Very alluring aromatics offering scents of fresh red berries, particularly strawberries, with hints of fruit and oak spice. Moderately robust on the palate with sweet flavors of dark red berries and cherries, well-mannered ripe tannins, and a very long finish imbued with dark red berries. The most upfront charm of all the 2008 single vineyard Pinot Noirs. My only nit is that a little alcohol shows up on the nose and finish. Very good. Reviewed November 30, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Cristom Louise Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills 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 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2004 Cristom Louise Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc. (14.5% on winery tech sheet), pH 3.77, TA 0.68, 583 cases, $65. 30% whole clusters, 100% native yeast fermentations. Aged 18 months in 63% French oak barrels. · Moderate reddish-purple color in the glass. Faint aromas of black cherries, spice, humus and herbal tea. Relatively light in weight with appealing flavors of cherries and raspberries with subtle notes of spice and earth. Soft, but evident tannins provide substance and the finish ends on a high note with well-honed aromatic red fruits. Should last another 5 to 10 years. Very good. Reviewed November 30, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »