Pours transparent a the rim, translucent at the core. Light bricking. The nose is of bourbon, vanilla, grapefruit zest, soil, thyme, sawdust, dark cherry, and plum. There are components to this wine I like, but there are components I disdain. The palate has medium plus tannin, medium acid and a finish that really strongly replays the bourbon note of the nose. The label says 13.5%, but it comes across to me as higher. Note really loving this profile. The bottle matches the profile; heavy handed. In particular the oak and alcohol are a bit too apparent to me.
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Rarely give scores in this range, but I found this wine to be singing. Just a beautiful pinot that bridges classical Burgundies to more new worldly Californians. Medium ruby red color. Nose was classic with red and black cherries, menthol, minerals, earth and pine forest floor, with some elegant pinot funk. The palate transitioned toward a more new world with a medium to full body with very mild, velvety tannins. There was plenty of sweet fruit shining through, with spices and some vanilla. Finished lingered for 45+ seconds. Maybe I just caught a great bottle in peak condition relative to other scores? Loved it.
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90-91. While not as complex as some of the single vineyard Cristoms, this has an admirable sense of balance. A bit of fruit, a bit of wood, a bit of earthiness and some stemminess. 2004 was quite a good year for my palate. The low ABV was a nice change as well from many these days.
Rounder, but slightly flatter night 2. Maye could have used more acidity.90.
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Dark ruby red. Medium to full bodied wine with great black cherry/berry (with hints of blueberry) flavors. Nice spice & touch of oak. Finish is a good 20-30 seconds & very balanced. Could still use more age (tannin & acidit still there), but very good now. Classic WV Oregon Pinot.
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Dark, full-bodied pinot. Cherries, vanilla bean, black fruit and spice on the palate. Lively enough to handle beef ravioli from Westlake Joe's. This is why I love Oregon pinot.
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Clear ruby in the glass. Medium bodied. Smooth tannins, but the acidity is still very pronounced. Nose of dark fruit (maybe cherryish, but not really), spice, and leather. Strong spice on the palate but overtaken by a longish lighter fruit finish. Very nice, but probably needs time.
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The best of the series of nice Cristom Pinot Noirs. Intense cherry and spice nose. Cherry, roasted meat, and a touch of earthy cabbage. This wine is a marriage of French and Willamette Pinots. Some delicious concentration of flavors without becoming fruit forward. A perfect companion with the Braised Wild Boar and Saffron Potato. (D 6.5, F 6; SoPo)
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Light to medium ruby color. Earthy nose with elements of sour red berries and smoke, with a touch of spice and hints of bitter citrus. On the palate it is nicely balanced and juicy with a good finish.
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12/17/2019 - Wine Canuck wrote: 87 Points
Pours transparent a the rim, translucent at the core. Light bricking. The nose is of bourbon, vanilla, grapefruit zest, soil, thyme, sawdust, dark cherry, and plum. There are components to this wine I like, but there are components I disdain. The palate has medium plus tannin, medium acid and a finish that really strongly replays the bourbon note of the nose. The label says 13.5%, but it comes across to me as higher. Note really loving this profile. The bottle matches the profile; heavy handed. In particular the oak and alcohol are a bit too apparent to me.
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1/29/2012 - bmarshall wrote: 95 Points
Rarely give scores in this range, but I found this wine to be singing. Just a beautiful pinot that bridges classical Burgundies to more new worldly Californians. Medium ruby red color. Nose was classic with red and black cherries, menthol, minerals, earth and pine forest floor, with some elegant pinot funk. The palate transitioned toward a more new world with a medium to full body with very mild, velvety tannins. There was plenty of sweet fruit shining through, with spices and some vanilla. Finished lingered for 45+ seconds. Maybe I just caught a great bottle in peak condition relative to other scores? Loved it.
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1/18/2012 - jimbomatic wrote: 91 Points
Thought this was drinking well. Clearly some whole cluster element showing in it. Performed pretty nicely.
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1/18/2012 - rnellans wrote: 91 Points
Very earthy aromas with hint of menthol. Herbal whole cluster notes. Nice depth and mouthfeel. Sweet long finish...Excellent OR pinot.
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11/27/2010 - sadofsky wrote:
Opened for Thanksgiving, but didn't drink until the next day. Mouthwatering fruit, cherries and spice.
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7/6/2010 - winegr wrote: 91 Points
90-91. While not as complex as some of the single vineyard Cristoms, this has an admirable sense of balance. A bit of fruit, a bit of wood, a bit of earthiness and some stemminess. 2004 was quite a good year for my palate. The low ABV was a nice change as well from many these days.
Rounder, but slightly flatter night 2. Maye could have used more acidity.90.
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12/20/2008 - gbbwino wrote: 91 Points
Dark ruby red. Medium to full bodied wine with great black cherry/berry (with hints of blueberry) flavors. Nice spice & touch of oak. Finish is a good 20-30 seconds & very balanced. Could still use more age (tannin & acidit still there), but very good now. Classic WV Oregon Pinot.
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9/19/2008 - Grinder wrote: 91 Points
Dark, full-bodied pinot. Cherries, vanilla bean, black fruit and spice on the palate. Lively enough to handle beef ravioli from Westlake Joe's. This is why I love Oregon pinot.
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12/29/2007 - vancouvermatt wrote: 90 Points
Drank from half bottle. Interesting aromas of currant, black cherries. On the palate, this wine is all about the dark/black berry cola.
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12/23/2007 - winegr wrote: 89 Points
seems to be more masculine, but not as deep or refined as the single vineyard offerings.
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11/4/2007 - chitowncdpguy wrote: 91 Points
Clear ruby in the glass. Medium bodied. Smooth tannins, but the acidity is still very pronounced. Nose of dark fruit (maybe cherryish, but not really), spice, and leather. Strong spice on the palate but overtaken by a longish lighter fruit finish. Very nice, but probably needs time.
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10/30/2007 - Vino Me wrote: 89 Points
Allred brought this over last weekend. A rustic pinot noir with earthy notes and gritty red fruit. Dry texture. 89 points.
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10/26/2007 - AllRed wrote: 89 Points
Nice cherry notes with an earthy undertone. Good acidity and fruit on the palate.
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3/30/2007 - nubbin wrote: 89 Points
The best of the series of nice Cristom Pinot Noirs. Intense cherry and spice nose. Cherry, roasted meat, and a touch of earthy cabbage. This wine is a marriage of French and Willamette Pinots. Some delicious concentration of flavors without becoming fruit forward. A perfect companion with the Braised Wild Boar and Saffron Potato. (D 6.5, F 6; SoPo)
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3/8/2007 - Myownscale wrote: 83 Points
Nose:
Light on nose
Palate:
Some more fruit on it not over powering, well balanced, good finish, vanilla
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12/9/2006 - dougsmith wrote: 89 Points
Light to medium ruby color. Earthy nose with elements of sour red berries and smoke, with a touch of spice and hints of bitter citrus. On the palate it is nicely balanced and juicy with a good finish.
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7/3/2006 - billyb wrote: 90 Points
very good beach night before vin tj meal
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