Cristom Eileen Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

Cristom Eileen Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021

 

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Cristom
Eileen Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
  • Vintage : 2021
  • Country : USA
  • Region : Oregon
  • Subregion :
  • Type : Red
  • Style : Fruity Medium Bodied
  • Format : 75cl
  • Alcohol : 13,5°
  • Grappes : 100% Pinot Noir

Crafted from the most wind-swept vines on the Cristom Estate, Eileen Vineyard Pinot Noir combines structure, finesse, and depth with a balance of fruit and savory characteristics.

Experts Score Vintage
VN Vinous (Antonio Galloni) 96 2021
JD Jeb Dunnuck 96 2021
DCT Decanter 95 2021
JS James Suckling 95 2021
RP Robert Parker 92 2021
More information on wine critics and ratings

Region and Vineyards

The Eileen Vineyard, established in 1997, is named after co-founder Eileen Gerrie and sits at the crest of the Eola Hills, reaching an elevation of over 735 feet. Its position offers commanding views of the Cascade and Oregon Coast Ranges while benefiting from the cooling effects of the Van Duzer Corridor. These strong, cold Pacific winds sweep through the vineyard, resulting in small berries with thick skins, contributing to the wine’s structure and intensity.

The vineyard spans nearly 22 acres and features one of Cristom’s most geologically diverse sites, with a mix of volcanic soils, including Jory, Nekia, Saum, Ritner, Witzel, and Yamhill. This soil diversity, coupled with clonal selections such as Pommard, Wädenswil, and Dijon (114, 115, 777), enhances the wine’s complexity and depth.

Winemaking

This vintage was defined by a long growing season with cool spring temperatures and a warm summer, allowing the fruit to ripen slowly and evenly. The grapes were 100% hand-harvested and underwent 51% whole-cluster fermentation, enhancing aromatic complexity and textural structure.

Fermentation was conducted with 100% native yeast, reflecting the vineyard’s natural microbiome. The wine was aged for 17 months on its lees in 32% new French oak barrels, which added subtle spice and depth while preserving the wine’s vibrant fruit. It was bottled unfined and unfiltered, ensuring a pure expression of the vineyard.

Tasting Notes

  • Color: Deep ruby with garnet hues.
  • Aromas: Alluring notes of sweet plum, cola, lavender, sage, jasmine, licorice, and savory leather.
  • Palate: Dense and textural, with flavors of black currant, dried blueberry, and oak bark, supported by supple tannins and a long, elegant finish.

Did you know?

The Eileen Vineyard produces some of the smallest berries on the Cristom Estate due to its exposure to strong Pacific winds. This results in a higher skin-to-juice ratio, giving the wine exceptional structure and aging potential.

Wine Pairing Ideas

  • Herb-crusted lamb chops: Enhances the wine’s savory and herbal characteristics.
  • Duck confit with blackberry reduction: Complements the wine’s fruity and earthy notes.
  • Wild mushroom risotto: Matches the wine’s minerality and textural richness.
  • Aged Gouda or Taleggio: Balances the wine’s acidity and supple tannins.

History of Cristom Vineyards

Founded by Paul Gerrie, Cristom Vineyards was born from a desire to craft wines that honor the land and reflect the unique terroir of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The name Cristom combines the names of Gerrie’s children, Christine and Tom, signifying the family’s integral role in the estate.

Cristom’s winemaking philosophy is deeply rooted in tradition and innovation. Led by winemaker Steve Doerner, who joined the winery at its inception, Cristom has championed techniques such as whole-cluster fermentation and minimal intervention to craft wines of complexity and elegance. Over the decades, the estate has earned international acclaim for its focus on single-vineyard Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, reflecting the distinct characteristics of each site.

Region and Vineyards

Cristom Vineyards is located in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, a sub-region of Oregon’s Willamette Valley. The estate spans 240 acres, with 90 acres planted to vines on the eastern-facing slopes. The vineyards benefit from the Van Duzer Corridor, which channels cool ocean breezes, moderating temperatures and preserving acidity in the grapes.

The estate features five single vineyards, each named after a family member:

  • Eileen Vineyard: Situated at the highest elevation, offering bright and elegant wines.
  • Jessie Vineyard: Known for its steep slopes and complex soils, producing structured and earthy wines.
  • Louise Vineyard: The estate’s lowest vineyard, producing richly textured wines.
  • Marjorie Vineyard: Home to some of the oldest vines, delivering wines of depth and finesse.
  • Paul Gerrie Vineyard: The newest addition, showcasing the future potential of Cristom’s terroir.

Wine Range of Cristom Vineyards

Cristom produces a wide range of wines that emphasize the uniqueness of its vineyards:

  • Single-Vineyard Pinot Noir: Each vineyard is vinified separately to capture its distinct character, including Eileen, Jessie, Louise, Marjorie, and Paul Gerrie.
  • Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir: A flagship blend representing the broader Cristom estate.
  • Chardonnay: Crafted with precision and showcasing the bright acidity and minerality of Oregon’s volcanic soils.
  • Syrah: A limited production wine that highlights Cristom’s innovation beyond Pinot Noir.

Did you know?

Cristom integrates biodynamic and organic farming practices across its estate, focusing on sustainability and vineyard health. The vineyards are home to chickens and sheep, which naturally manage pests and fertilize the soil, creating a thriving ecosystem that enhances vine quality.

Vinous (Antonio Galloni) (VN) : 96 Points (2021)
Deeply seductive, the 2021 Pinot Noir Eileen Vineyard opens with a burst of mentholated herbs, licorice and sweet autumnal spices. Juicy and broad upon entry, this envelopes the palate with ripe red and hints of blue fruit, giving way to suggestions of cola and lavender. Its mineral core comes forward through the finish, gaining tension through a blend of fine tannins and residual acids as spice and floral notes resonate throughout. The Eileen Vineyard is refined using 46% whole clusters and 34% new French oak barrels for eighteen months.

Jeb Dunnuck (JD) : 96 Points (2021)
A deep saturated ruby, the 2021 Pinot Noir Eileen Vineyard is more aromatically reserved initially but opens in the glass to emerging notes of rocky earth, ripe black and blue fruit, and wild herbs. It already displays a tension aromatically that carries over to the palate, where the wine is full-bodied, with a weightless feel, ripe, well-structured tannins, and a tension-packed, ripe core. It has a nervous energy at this stage that bodes well for significant aging potential over the next 15 to 20 years. It’s a remarkable wine that demands aging time.

Decanter (DCT) : 95 Points (2021)
At the top of this estate site, the Eileen Vineyard sits adjacent to Eola's iconic Temperance Hill and stares down the barrel of the Van Duzer Corridor, where those Pacific winds take dead aim at this part of the AVA. The resulting wine is a study in Eola-Amity terroir, a combination of soil diversity and those famed winds that make this place possible. White pepper and crushed basalt aromas blend with violet florals and juicy cut blood orange. The palate is fleshy, with a core of dark fruit wrapped up in savoury elegance, white pepper, and spice from these stony hills carry the wine into its amply structured finish.

James Suckling (JS) : 95 Points (2021)
Focused, dense, elegant and vibrant, with dominating aromas of sour cherries, cinnamon, dried herbs and mild spices. It’s medium-bodied with fresh acidity. Poised, with plenty of energy all along. Agile and succulent with some white pepper character kicking in toward the long finish. Drink now or hold.

Robert Parker (RP) : 92 Points (2021)
The 2021 Pinot Noir Eileen Vineyard, matured for 18 months in 34% new French oak, is scented of cranberry sauce, forest floor, potpourri, mushrooms and cardamom. The light-bodied palate is chalky and vibrant with understated fruit and a long, spicy finish. It will benefit from a few years in bottle. 786 cases were made.

Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Pinot Noir 2021
Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Pinot Noir 2021
Cristom
Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Pinot Noir 2021
JS
94
RP
93
W&S
92
Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir captures the heart of Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills, delivering a blend of vibrant red fruit, earthy undertones, and elegant structure, crafted from a selection of estate and neighboring vineyards.
50,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Cristom Eola Amity Hills Chardonnay 2020
Cristom Eola Amity Hills Chardonnay 2020
Cristom
Eola Amity Hills Chardonnay 2020
JS
93
WE
92
W&S
92
From volcanic soils and biodynamically farmed vineyards, Cristom Chardonnay offers a complex profile of lemon curd, brioche, and minerality, showcasing the distinctive terroir of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA.
54,00 €
Quantity : moins plus
Cristom Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Cristom Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Cristom
Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
JS
94
RP
93
WE
92
From the iconic Louise Vineyard, this Pinot Noir reveals layers of cherry, spices, and earthy tones, embodying the essence of the Eola-Amity Hills AVA.
97,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Cristom Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Cristom Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Cristom
Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
RP
95
WS
92
WE
94
Cristom Marjorie Vineyard Pinot Noir is a remarkable expression of Willamette Valley terroir, showcasing the elegance, depth, and complexity that define Oregon Pinot Noir.
97,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Cristom Paul Gerrie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Cristom Paul Gerrie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Cristom
Paul Gerrie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
RP
95
JS
95
Cristom Paul Gerrie Vineyard Pinot Noir is a captivating expression of Oregon’s Eola-Amity Hills, combining vibrant red fruit, refined tannins, and volcanic minerality with a polished elegance.
97,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Cristom Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Cristom Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Cristom
Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
RP
95
JS
96
VN
95
Cristom Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir is a masterpiece of structure and elegance, combining vibrant red fruit, floral aromatics, and earthy complexity from one of the most distinctive sites in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA.
97,90 €
Quantity : moins plus
Wine regions guide
97,90 €
Quantity : Moins     Plus
 
 
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