2022 Cristom Pinot Noir Mt. Jefferson Cuvée

The 2022 Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir includes three-quarters estate fruit and one-quarter purchased fruit sourced from across the Eola-Amity Hills. Fifty-two percent whole clusters were used, and the wine was matured for 10 months in 22% new French oak. It has layered aromas of cranberry sauce, pomegranate, cardamom, forest floor and mushrooms. The medium-bodied palate features concentrated layers of earth-laced fruit structured by clay-textured tannins and vibrant acidity, and it has a long, spicy finish. 11,755 cases were made.

73% estate fruit from Eileen, Jessie, Louise, Marjorie and Paul Gerrie vineyards with the remaining 27% sourced from five additional vineyards in the Eola-Amity Hills: Holmes Hill, Bjornson, RPG, Stiling, Von Oehsen. All fruit was hand-harvested between 23 September and 20 October. 52% whole-cluster fermented. 100% ambient-yeast fermentations. 1–3 punchdowns daily with occasional pumpovers in 1.5- to 7-ton open-top fermenters. Matured 10 months on lees in 22% new French oak barrels. Bottled unfined and unfiltered. TA 5.3 g/l, pH 3.67. Pale ruby in colour. Abundant red fruit and spice on the nose with cinnamon, nutmeg and warm crunchy dried leaves. Savoury rockiness with tactile elevated tannin. Lightly prickly mouthfeel from youth and just a touch of residual CO 2 . Brightness and elevated acidity. Long. This is quite tightly knit. The nose is juicy but the palate is so structured that it would benefit from a few more years in bottle. (SCJ)