# Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir (2022)

- **Producer:** Cristom Vineyards
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Pinot Noir
- **Region:** Oregon, United States
- **Style:** Classic
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Contains sulphites:** No
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 14–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** strawberry, red plum, raspberry, red cherry, cedar, cloves, vanilla, spice, forest floor, mushroom, leather, tobacco, earth

## About this wine

The Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir is the flagship offering from Cristom Vineyards, located in Oregon's Eola-Amity Hills. Named after a prominent local mountain, this wine is a deliberate blend of fruit sourced from Cristom's five estate vineyards and esteemed neighboring sites, aiming to capture the essence of the region. The winery, founded in 1992 by Paul and Eileen Gerrie, is now guided by second-generation owner Tom Gerrie and winemaker Daniel Estrin, upholding a commitment to their land and traditional winemaking. The 2022 vintage benefited from a prolonged growing season with ideal summer conditions, contributing to the wine's character.

## Interesting facts

- Named after a mountain visible from the winery.
- First Pinot Noir crafted after extensive barrel tastings.
- Uses biodynamic and organic farming practices.
- Fruit from five estate vineyards and benchmark sites.

## Food pairing

The wine's medium body and vibrant acidity are well-suited to cut through the richness of proteins like duck and pork, while its savory notes complement earthy flavors in dishes like mushroom risotto. Red fruit characteristics can bridge with fruit-based sauces and chutneys.

## Wine making process

The Cristom Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir 2022 was produced using a blend of fruit from Cristom's estate vineyards and neighboring sites. A significant portion (52%) underwent whole-cluster fermentation with native yeasts, a technique chosen to enhance structure and complexity. Following fermentation, the wine was aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, with 22% of them being new. The harvest for this vintage occurred after a long, warm summer, allowing for full fruit maturation. Cristom Vineyards emphasizes biodynamic and organic farming practices, low yields, and hand-harvesting as core tenets of their winemaking.