Cristom Vineyards Mt. Jefferson Cuvee Eola-Amity Pinot Noir 2022
(Willamette Valley, Oregon) - [VM 93] [WA 91]

Notes from the Winemaker:
Mt. Jefferson Cuvee is a blend of the Cristom estate Pinot Noir vineyards along with exceptional fruit we source from neighboring vineyards in the Willamette Valley. These vineyard sites have been thoughtfully selected over the years, and are planted on a variety of soil types, elevations and aspects, representing the Willamette Valley Appellation as a broader whole. These vineyards are farmed by committed winegrowers we are proud to partner with, with each site adding to the character, fruit, and structure of the wine, giving Mt. Jeff its deserved reputation as one of the most stylistically consistent Pinot Noirs in the world.

After multiple tastings of every lot of the vintage, it is the Mt. Jeff blend that our winemaker crafts first. Whole-cluster fermentations by native yeast and extended aging in French oak are the hallmarks of the Cristom winemaking style. This wine ages in barrel for twelve months, and can stylistically be the most fresh and approachable of the Cristom Pinot Noirs in its youth.

About this Wine:

The first Pinot Noir of the vintage to be crafted, after multiple tastings of every individual barrel, "Mt. Jeff" defines the best of the Eola-Amity Hills. The 2022 Mt. Jeff is comprised of 73% Cristom Estate fruit from our five world-class vineyards – Paul Gerrie, Eileen, Jessie, Louise, and Marjorie Vineyards – one of the highest percentages of estate fruit in Cristom’s 28 vintages of crafting this iconic wine! 

This wine is a Cristom classic, 100% Pinot Noir, and exclusively from the Eola-Amity Hills. It embodies Cristom's hallmark style – marrying whole-cluster and native yeast fermentations and is unfined and unfiltered.

Tasting Notes: Vibrant fresh red fruit characters and 52% whole cluster fermentation parlay layered spice and fine tannin, the 2022 “Mt. Jeff” offers tremendous complexity of flavor and is showing exceptionally well in its youth.

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Vinous:
"Wildly exotic, the 2022 Pinot Noir Mt. Jefferson Cuvée captivates with its seductive blend of dried flowers, incense, rosemary and dried strawberries. This is wonderfully fresh, nearly crunchy in feel, with stimulating acidity offsetting its tart red fruits and hints of sour citrus that pucker the cheeks. The 2022 finishes with youthful tension, lightly structured yet cooling and fresh, leaving suggestions of tart raspberry. About 52% whole cluster fermentation." Drink 2024-2033. - Eric Guido (January 2024)

91 Points - Wine Advocate:
"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.