2019 Cristom Pinot Noir Mount Jefferson Willamette Valley

(95 Points) The caliber of the 2019 Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir, Cristom's largest-production SKU, is impressive this vintage. Medium ruby-purple, it features savory cranberry sauce, orange peel and tar aromas with tones of dried flowers and spice. The medium-bodied palate offers the pleasing, gently grippy tannins and bright freshness characteristic of Cristom's generous whole-cluster inclusion, and it finishes with intense, layered fruits and floral accents. Daniel Estrin joined the team as winemaker and vineyard manager in 2019 after several years at Littorai in Sonoma County. "I was trepidatious about the amount of stems, after using only about 30% at Littorai," he says, "but I leaned into it, and it does a lot for Oregon Pinot, which can be very fruity." About 10,000 cases were made. Erin Brooks, Wine Advocate (Dec 2021