An Oregon winery that remains under the radar, J. Christopher is an exciting project by famed German winemaker Ernst Loosen. For many years Loosen was attached the wines of the Willamette Valley, and he wanted to be a part of producing wines from this region as he has made some very good German Pinot Noirs.
Oregon winemaker Jay Somers was making J. Christopher when he was introduced to Loosen. Loosen was quite impressed with the wines and the two began collaborating. A few vintages later, Loosen cemented his investment in Oregon by purchasing 40 acres on Chehalem Mountain in Newberg, planting the Appassionata Vineyard, and building the winery Appassionata and J. Christopher wines are crafted.
The new wines by J. Christopher have really good freshness and verve. I really enjoyed the 2016 J. Christopher ‘Dundee Hills Cuvee’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 92) which has really good depth and length. Nearly as good was the 2016 J. Christopher ‘Volcanique’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 91) which impresses with its salinity, brightness and terroir. Learn more about these excellent new wines at https://jchristopherwines.com Here are the great new J. Christopher releases.
2018 J. Christopher ‘Cuvee Lunatique Chardonnay- The palates hows good freshness and weight with bright pear, green apple with nutmeg flavors. Drink in the short-term while the brightness stays intact. Drink 2019-2023- 90
2018 J. Christopher ‘Olenik Vineyqrd’ Chardonnay- The 2018 ‘Olenik Vineyard’ Chardonnay shows a nice nutty influence the nose with shades of wild mushroom and orchard fruits that fill the glass. The freshness and balance of the wine is really good as bright pear and vanilla cream flavors impress. Drink 2019-2025- 91
2016 J. Christopher ‘Lumiere’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, the wine is a barrel selection Pinot Noir. The nose has good dirty terroir with ripe red fruits and shades of citrus zest. Quite forward and juicy, the wine delivers bright Bing cherry and strawberry flavors with good balance and richness. Drink 2019-2029- 92
2016 J. Christopher ‘Sandra Adele’ Pinot Noir- Largely Sourced from the Abbey Ridge Vineyard (90%) this delivers good aromantic range from red fruits to peat moss with lighter undertones of citrus rind. The palate is a bit forward delivering red cherry and red raspberry flavors with shades of lavender. Drink 2019-2025- 90
2016 J. Christopher ‘Dundee Hills Cuvee’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Dundee Hills Cuvee’ shows off a wonderful ripe core of red fruits with a good tannic backbone that connects with minerals and a dusting of citrus zest. Expansive and showing good length all the way, the wine is fantastic in its youth and will cellar well for the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2019-2029- 92
2016 J. Christopher ‘Basalte’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from the Chehalem Mountains AVA, the Pinot Noir shows ripe and forward dash fruit flavors with a dusting of damp earth and peat moss on the palate. Enjoy this delicious and fruit-driven over the next five plus years. Drink 2019-2025- 91
2016 J. Christopher ‘Volcanique’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Volcanique’ was sourced from a host of vineyards inside the Dundee Hills AVA. Bright citrus rind accents combine with wild blackberry pie and dusty terroir on the nose. The palate has good verve and freshness with a light dusting of salinity that adds to the enjoyment. Drink 2019-2025- 91
2016 J. Christopher ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir- The 2016 ‘Abbey Ridge’ Pinot Noir opens with ripe red fruits that dance with suggestions of Mandarin orange zest and damp hay that take their shape in the glass. Bright and showing good high-tones on the palate, the wine takes on a soft texture that impresses alongside the ripe red fruit tones. Drink 2019-2025- 91