Today as part of Oregon Wine Month we share a great Willamette Valley producer that produces a beautiful range of wines. J. Christopher is run 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.
The new wines by J. Christopher were really good. I really enjoyed the 2019 J. Christopher ‘Uber Sauvignon’ Sauvignon Blanc (OB, 92) which is beautifully textured and shows good length. Just as good is the 2019 J. Christopher ‘Sol et Soleil’ Chardonnay (OB, 92) which is dense and salty Chardonnay that really needs a little air if consuming now. 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.
2019 J. Christopher ‘Uber Sauvignon’ Sauvignon Blanc- Stored in large acacia barrels, the 2019 ‘Uber Sauvignon’ revels in its gooseberry and pink grapefruit blossom tones aromatically with hints of sweetened white peach. The palate is beautifully textured, with good length and shows salty undercurrents that are woven into the long finish. This is really serious stuff. Drink 2022-2028- 92
2019 J. Christopher ‘Cuvee Lunatique’ Chardonnay- The really good 2019 J. Christopher ‘Cuvee Lunatique’ Chardonnay was stored in entirely neutral oak prior to bottling. A touch sweet, bright pear and melon flavors come to mind alongside a light dusting of minerals on the palate. Enjoy over the next five years. Drink 2022-2028- 90
2019 J. Christopher ‘Sol et Soleil’ Chardonnay- The 2019 J. Christopher ‘Sol et Soleil’ Chardonnay was stored in large oak barrels for roughly two years before bottling. Toasty oak and lemon zest combine with shades of cantaloupe and a light dusting of salinity on the palate. Really good now, this is beautifully evolved stuff that is best consumed over the next seven years. Give this at least thirty minutes of air if consuming now. Drink 2022-2029- 92
2018 J. Christopher ‘Medici Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from this old vine site for Pinot Noir which was first planted back in 1976, the 2018 J. Christopher ‘Medici Vineyard’ Pinot Noir reveals toasty oak and bing cherry notes aromatically with shades of wild strawberry. The palate has plenty of texture and finesse whit bright red fruits that collide with orange rind and stony minerals. This is already beautifully evolved Pinot Noir that will be sure to last another decade. Drink 2022-2032- 92
2018 J. Christopher ‘Bella Vida Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from this outstanding site in the Dundee Hills, the 2018 ‘Bella Vida Vineyard’ Pinot Noir is jam packed of red fruits with shades of cardamon dusted citrus rind, tobacco and stony undertones. This is a really pretty expression of the AVA. Medium to full-bodied, with gobs of mouth-watering acidity, enjoy this beauty over the next twelve years. Dink 2022-2034- 92
2018 J. Christopher ‘Kolb Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This Dundee Hills Pinot Noir slowly unravels, revealing sour cherry and cranberry notes on the nose, with shades of potpourri and forest floor accents. A soft mouthfeel and copious minerals mark the palate, as this builds with generous length that lasts for more than half a second. This may be an unusual albeit delicious expression of Dundee Hills Pinot Noir. Drink 2022-2032- 92
2018 J. Christopher ‘Bieze Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from this established site in the Eola-Amity Hills, the Pommard Clonal selection 2018 ‘Bieze Vineyard’ Pinot Noir shows off fantastic red florals and red currants aromatically, alongside flinty accents. The palate is very finesse-driven and shows a great range of red fruit flavors, with shades of wet stone. Enjoy this beautiful expression of Oregon Pinot Noir over the next twelve years. Drink 2022-2035- 93
2018 J. Christopher ‘Estate Rock Blocks Selection’ Pinot Noir- Sourced from their site in the Chehalem Mountains from the highest point in the vineyard, the wine takes on tart black and red fruits alongside wet stone and shades of kumquat zest. The palate is deep andconcenteated with great finesse and length. A rich core of red raspberry, wild blackberry and peat moss greet you, alongside the stony undercurrents. Really tasty now, enjoy this beauty over the next twelve years. Drink 2022-2035- 93
2018 J. Christopher ‘Estate Block 5 Selection’ Pinot Noir- Very dark in the glass, the 2018 J. Christopher ‘Estate Block 5 Selection’ Pinot Noir unveils suggestions of compost, leather and blackberry compote on the nose, alongside stony undercurrents. Nicely concentrated, with plenty of tart red and dark fruits, displaying good finesse, this already nicely evolved medium to full-bodied Pinot Noir will cellar well over the next twelve years. Drink 2022-2033- 92
2018 J. Christopher ‘Basalte’ Pinot Noir- Like the name suggests, the stony 2018 ‘Basalte’ Pinot Noir is sourced from vines set on fractured basalt. The nose smells beautifully of stony terroir, as rich dark fruits parade with orange blossom and shades of pine needles on the nose. Beautiful textured and wonderfully stony and salty, this outstanding, black fruit-driven Pinot Noir will be sure to satisfy over the next twelve plus years. Drink 2022-2035- 93
2018 J. Christopher ‘Volcanique’ Pinot Noir- You have to admire the stony terroir exerted here in the warm vintage 2018 J. Christopher ‘Volcanique’ Pinot Noir. One whiff and it puts you on the volcanic soils, with bright red fruits and red florals rounding out this expressive bouquet. The palate is soft and inviting with reined tannins and plenty of mouth-watering acidity. Gorgeous now, enjoy this beautiful wine over the next twelve years. Drink 2022-2034- 93
2018 J. Christopher ‘Lumiere’ Pinot Noir- The 2018 ‘Lumiere’ Pinot Noir is a barrel-select wine sourced from the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Rich and layered, this shows very slight salty undertones alongside red rose water, black raspberry, pomegranate seed and shades of leather on the palate. With more air the earthy tones evolve, as this complex Pinot Noir is best consumed over the next ten plus years. Drink 2022-2032- 92