Today we share one of the greats of Oregon that is all about sustainability and servitude to the land. Cristom Vineyards hosted me for a visit and tour a week ago. This is one of the most gorgeous spots that you will find in the Willamette Valley. Over the years Cristom has gained world-wide acclaim for their single vineyard Pinot Noirs. More recently they have been really improving their Chardonnay program. I have found that their Mt. Jefferson Cuvee has been one of the great values out of Oregon.
This was now my second visit with winemaker Daniel Estrin who serves as both winemaker and vineyard manager, having formerly served at Red Car as well as Craggy Range in New Zealand before landing his position Littorai. He has made a wonderful impact to Cristom on the winemaking side. I love the 2022 Cristom ‘Louise Vineyard’ Viognier (OB, 94) which is arguably the finest Viognier that I have ever tasted from the Willamette Valley.
Even better is the 2022 Cristom Vineyards ‘Royer Vineyard’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is concentrated and pure, with bright tension. Check out more about these outstanding wines at https://www.cristomvineyards.com and here are my reviews of the new releases by Cristom.
2023 Cristom ‘Louise Vineyard’ Pinot Gris- The 2023 Cristom ‘Louise Vineyard’ Pinot Gris was all fermented and aged in stainless steel with no lees stirring. Japanese pear and nutmeg drenched French bread mark the nose alongside white peach. The palate has a lush texture with outstanding texture and a brilliant sense of weight. Enjoy now and over the next few years. Drink 2024-2030- 93
2022 Cristom ’Louise Vineyard’ Viognier- The 2022 ‘Louise Vineyard’ comes from this site set on Columbia River Basalt soils. Made from mainly estate fruit, this was stored in neutral oak, concrete and stainless steel vats before bottling. A vibrant color, this delivers lychee and nutty accents alongside shades of baking spices and honeysuckle. This is deep and concentrated wine that has great tension and finesse with salty nuances. Drink 2024-2034- 94
2022 Cristom ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Eola-Amity Hills’ Chardonnay is a beautiful wine that was stored for 11 months in oak and then five months in stainless steel before bottling. The wine shows beautiful freshness and tension wit ha soft mouthfeel. Loads of Meyer lemon and orchard fruits combine with shades of salted green melon on the palate. Drink 2024-2031- 93
2022 Cristom ‘Louise Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Louise Vineyard’ was stored for 11 months in only 22% new French oak before bottling. This utilizes clone 95 which was planted back in 1995 — and only one acre is planted. Golden in the glass, this delivers serious weight and texture with salted honeydew melon, white peach, starfruit and salty minerals. Finishing long, this is beautiful Chardonnay that is already showing really well. Drink 2024-2038- 95
2022 Cristom ‘Royer Vineyard’ Chardonnay- The 2022 ‘Royer Vineyard’ is located on the west side of the hills, looking down the Van Duzer Corridor and is a late ripening site. Stored in only 76% new French oak before bottling, this offers loads of mouth-watering acidity and finesse. Pear and juicy kumquat combine with stony minerals on the palate. A totally dazzling wine, enjoy now and over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2024-2038- 95
2022 Cristom ‘Mt. Jefferson Cuvee’ Pinot Noir- Stored in 22% new French oak for 11 monnths,, this undercut 52% whole cluster fermentation. A killer value, the Oregon, the 2022 ‘Mt. Jefferson Cuvee’ shows off teaberry and cranberry notes on the nose alongside wet gravel and suggestions of orange peel. The palate is juicy and round with loads of mouth-watering acidity and rich, tart red fruit flavors with orange peel, tobacco and salty soil accents. Drink 2024-2032- 93
2022 Cristom ‘Jesse Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2022 Cristom ‘Jesse Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from this very steep site (up to 30% grade) in the Eola-Amity Hills. This south-eastern aspect site has influence from the Van Duzer Corridor. This beautiful wine was given 30% new French oak before bottling, and given 58% whole cluster fermentation, the Pinot Noir shows off mandarin orange rind notes alongside fresh mint, wild blackberry and shades of damp soils. The palate is refined and elegant with a silky texture and good sense of weight. This is just a baby right now so give this beauty another year in the bottle. Unfined and unfiltered. Drink 2025-2044- 95
2022 Cristom ‘Marjorie Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The Marjorie Vineyard is right in the middle for the hillside, sitting on a portion of the bench. This was the only planted area that was there when the site was purchased in 1992. Stored in 36% new French oak for 17 months this offers tart pomegranate seed and black truffle shavings alongside diatomaceous earth and shades of Linzer torte. The palate is plush and soft with copious minerals and salty soil accents. This world-class wine has some massive potential in the cellar. Drink 2025-2045- 96
2022 Cristom ‘Louise Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2022 ‘Louise’ was given 58% whole cluster fermentation. The site is usually picked a touch on the earlier side to harness the tannins of the Pinot Noir at this eastern-aspect location. Black florals and seaweed combine with shades of black licorice on the nose. The palate is plush and refined with serious weight and tension. Rich and refined, with serious texture and mouth-watering acidity, this really needs another year of bottle age to come together — but you can see the potential! Drink 2025-2045- 95
2022 Cristom ‘Eileen Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The outstanding 2022 Cristom ‘Eileen Vineyard’ Pinot Noir comes from the highest part of the estate where there is a strong influence from the Van Duzer Corridor which produces small berries and small clusters. Black florals combine with blackberry jam alongside Satsuma orange peel and shades of volcanic stones on the nose. The palate has serious flavor density and a juicy core of black and red fruit flavors. Delicious now, this could easily be a 20 year wine. Drink 2025-2042- 95
2022 Cristom ‘Paul Gerrie Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- A total knockout wine the 2022 Cristom ‘Paul Gerrie Vineyard’ Pinot Noir was given 50% whole cluster fermentation and was stored in only 17% new French oak before bottling. This wine comes from the northern end at the Cristom Estate that was fist planted back in 2014. The nose is alluring with beautiful violets, menthol, wild blackberry and suggestions of cardamom. The palate is plush and soft wit ha refiled texture. Strangely this powerful wine is the most evolved of the single vineyards. A total stunner, enjoy over the next twenty years. Drink 2024-2045- 96