Cristom Vineyards : Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Pinot Noir 2015

A Fresh and Lively Pinot Noir from Willamette Valley

Cristom Vineyards, located in the Eola-Amity Hills in the Willamette Valley AVA of Oregon, was originally established as a result of a collaboration between an engingeer and a biochemist who both shared a passion for natural winemaking and the Pinot Noir varietal. Today, Owner and Winegrower Tom Gerrie works closely with Winemaker Steve Doerner to produce a dynamic and elegant range of wines in the Burgundy style, relying on whole-cluster fermentation with exclusively native yeasts and minimal intervention in the winemaking process. The four estate vineyards and winery are Certified Sustainable by Low Input Viticulture & Enology (LIVE), managed in a way that ensures the utmost respect for the environment. The Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Pinot Noir 2015 from Crustom Vineyards is a 100% Pinot Noir wine made from a blend of fruit sourced both from the Cristom estate vineyards and neighboring family vineyards in the Willamette Valley. The 2015 vintage will be remembered as one of the best in the region, with the season getting off to a warm and dry start with a very early budbreak in March. The grapes are harvested and sorted manually and then fermented 41% in whole clusters with only native yeast, and 1-3 daily punchdowns in 1-7 ton open-top fermenters. The must is gently pressed and moved through a gravity-fed system to barrel, where they undergo malolactic fermentation. The wine mature for 12 months in French barrels, of which 12.5% is new. The wines are fined in a traditional way with frehs egg whites but not filtered before bottling.

At the tasting, the Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir 2015 from Crustom Vineyards displays a bright red color in the glass. On the nose, this Oregon Pinot Noir shows great energy and clarity, revealing notes of fresh red berries, like wild stawberries and raspberries, along with candied orange peel and chocolate. The entry in the mouth is quite lively, with a medium-bodied palate that evolves spicy red fruits on finely-grained tannins and tangy acidity. The finish is long and pleasant, with a kick of spice and minerality emerging at the very end.