Description
The Cristom Sommers is comprised of grapes from four estate vineyards along with some purchased fruit from fourteen vineyard sites. Despite this being a blend it is actually one of the best New World Pinots I try each year. Therefore, I highly recommend it to lovers of Otago, USA, Australian and Burgundy because the flavours and textures are world class.
“Bright ruby red. Intense red berry and Asian spice aromas are given depth by notes of cola and mocha. Juicy and incisive on the palate, offering appealingly sweet raspberry and rose pastille flavors and a bright kick of cinnamon. Finishes on an energetic note, with excellent clarity and gentle tannic grip. The 2009 version carried 14.3% alcohol while this one checks in at 13.5%” Stephen Tanzer
Cristom, one of the Willamette Valley’s finest wineries, produces superb Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Viognier. Using natural methods, native yeast and minimal handling, winemaker Steve Doerner – a seasoned Californian winemaker with 14 years experience at the highly regarded Calera vineyard – uses new world technology with old world traditions. Rather than go on too much, I’ll simply say, buy these wines.
Pinot Noir
This is the most elusive grape. It is relatively early ripening and extremely sensitive to terroir. Its perfect place on earth is the Cote d’Or in Burgundy. So haunting are great red Burgundy’s charms that growers everywhere try to emulate them. Pinot Noir is not just a one trick pony, it can make great reds, rosé, sparkling and even sweet wines, whites on occasion and I’ve tasted a decent fortified Pinot Noir too.
Willamette Valley
The most famous of the Oregon wine country and for good reason: This is possibly the best place in the USA for Pinot Noir. The wines retain an elegance and class due to the cool climate and moist conditions.
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