# Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Estate Pinot Noir (2024)

- **Producer:** Cristom Vineyards
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Oregon, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €45
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–16 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, raspberry, plum, blackcurrant, fennel, herbaceous, cloves, cedar, smoke

## About this wine

Cristom Vineyards was founded in 1992 by Paul and Eileen Gerrie and is today directed by their son Tom Gerrie in Oregon's Eola-Amity Hills AVA. The Mt. Jefferson Cuvée, affectionately known as Mt. Jeff, is named after the Cascade mountain peak visible from the estate. The 2024 release represents the 30th anniversary of this flagship cuvée and marks the first vintage produced entirely from 100% estate-grown fruit, harvested from the Paul Gerrie, Eileen, Louise, and Jessie vineyards.

## Interesting facts

- The 2024 vintage marks the 30th anniversary release and the first 100% estate-grown version of this cuvée.
- Fermented spontaneously with 43% whole clusters and native yeast, bottled unfined and unfiltered.
- Named after Mount Jefferson, a major peak in the Cascade Range visible directly from the winery.

## Food pairing

The high natural acidity, moderate supple tannins, and savory whole-cluster character of this Pinot Noir complement rich poultry, pork, and game dishes. Earthy mushrooms and herbal seasoning harmonize perfectly with the wine's volcanic soil core and botanical undertones.

## Wine making process

The grapes were 100% hand-harvested and vinified using 43% whole-cluster inclusion with spontaneous native yeast fermentations. Daily cap management was conducted via gentle pump-overs. The wine aged for 11 months on fine lees in French oak barrels (16% new oak) before being bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving its natural texture and site-driven purity.