2023 Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir

A bright red color, the 2023 Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard is spicy and layered, with notes of cherries, raspberries, cardamom, and fresh leather. From a very steep site with a mix of Dijon and Pommard clones, the wine is medium-bodied, with refined tannins and balanced acidity. It begins to reveal underlying umami tones and a gravelly earthiness as it opens in the glass. Winemaker Daniel Estrin has begun significantly reducing the new oak usage, as is evident in this wine, which saw 26% new oak versus around 60% in past vintages. Drink 2025-2040. The wines for this report were tasted at the winery in the Eola-Amity Hills with winemaker Daniel Estrin. Daniel joined the team in 2019, following his work with Ted Lemon at Littorai, where he began as an intern and worked his way up to assistant winemaker. Although he has certainly taken a page from Ted’s farming and biodynamic practices, the estate is not certified, and they prefer not to work within the proscriptive confines of certification. Since taking over at Cristom, he has been making slight adjustments in élevage, reducing some of the oak usage that was previously employed.