WTN: 2006 Cristom, Mt Jefferson Cuvée, Willamette Pinot Noir

2006 Cristom, Mt Jefferson Cuvée, Willamette Pinot Noir

This is the winery’s entry level bottling and my first tasting of a Cristom.
Popped and poured. Paired with grilled Sockeye Salmon.
Lighter bodied with spicy cherry cola notes. Generally I’m not a fan of soda pop in my Pinot, but this wine didn’t have the sweet cola-ness which I find unattractive. Forest and pine along with just a touch of mint which added some complexity. Definitely austere and angular at this stage. Probably needs a year or two to come together and clearly has potential to improve. I’d buy it again and would recommend to those who like their Pinot on the lean side.
Retailed for ~$27.

[Robin Garr]

Not all that common to get decent Oregon Pinot this side of the Mississippi for a price in the $20s! I assume you bought that in the Hoosier state, Bill? Or was it a "special import"?

[Jenise]

2006 Cristom, Mt Jefferson Cuvée, Willamette Pinot Noir

This is the winery’s entry level bottling and my first tasting of a Cristom.
Popped and poured. Paired with grilled Sockeye Salmon.
Lighter bodied with spicy cherry cola notes. Generally I’m not a fan of soda pop in my Pinot, but this wine didn’t have the sweet cola-ness which I find unattractive. Forest and pine along with just a touch of mint which added some complexity. Definitely austere and angular at this stage. Probably needs a year or two to come together and clearly has potential to improve. I’d buy it again and would recommend to those who like their Pinot on the lean side.
Retailed for ~$27.

I haven't had the 06, but you captured the character of the typical Cristom pinot well. And it's interesting that they managed to be their typical self in such a warm year as 06, where the cooler 05 was actually a little more generous than usual and made me wonder if they were changing their style. Apparently not.

Not all that common to get decent Oregon Pinot this side of the Mississippi for a price in the $20s! I assume you bought that in the Hoosier state, Bill? Or was it a "special import"?

Robin,
Actually neither.
I picked this up on one of my trips to Minnesota. I have never seen it in Indiana.
During the same trip I picked up a Scott Paul Pinot (I posted a note a month or so ago)which I liked a lot as well.
I hope to stop by both of these places on my Oregon trip later this month.
Bill

[Robin Garr]

I have never seen it in Indiana.

Heck, you had me all set to hop over to New Albany!

Hope you have a fantastic trip to Oregon, Bill.

2006 Cristom, Mt Jefferson Cuvée, Willamette Pinot Noir

This is the winery’s entry level bottling and my first tasting of a Cristom.
Popped and poured. Paired with grilled Sockeye Salmon.
Lighter bodied with spicy cherry cola notes. Generally I’m not a fan of soda pop in my Pinot, but this wine didn’t have the sweet cola-ness which I find unattractive. Forest and pine along with just a touch of mint which added some complexity. Definitely austere and angular at this stage. Probably needs a year or two to come together and clearly has potential to improve. I’d buy it again and would recommend to those who like their Pinot on the lean side.
Retailed for ~$27.

Good note, Bill. I still have the '04 and it's close to (but not quite) ready yet. Cristom is one of my favorite OR wineries.

Mark Lipton

Thanks for the note. A smashing bargain every year. I thought the 06 was a bit of a victim of the vintage but it is still great. Cristom is one of the wineries I will trust with the 06 vintage.

Jason