2018 Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir
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Tasting notes
This dramatically steep site delivers a wine of real personality and distinctiveness. The nose has a very layered mix of red cherries and berries with some plums, leaves, dry stones, forest wood and a wealth of sweetly fragrant spices. The palate holds such intensity and concentrated flavor with striking focus and drive. Mouthwateringly fresh red-cherry flavors are delivered in essence-like mode and hold long, on a super vibrant, explosive finish. The star of 2018 at Cristom and indeed for Willamette Valley pinot per se. Drink or hold.
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Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The Jessie Vineyard, named for winegrower-owner Tom Gerrie’s great-grandmother Jessie Summers, was established in 1994 after the Gerrie family saw great potential in planting a steep, east-facing hillside to a variety of Pinot Noir clones: Dijon (113, 114, 115, 667, 777) and Pommard. Ranging in elevation from 320 ft to 550 ft (98 m to 168 m), this 11.53-acre (4.67-ha) site is one of the steepest in Oregon. Jessie is planted at a high density of 2,311 vines per acre (5,710 vines/ha). Biodynamic farming (not certified). 2018 was very dry and these vines are dry-farmed. 48% whole clusters of hand-harvested and hand-sorted fruit. 100% ambient-yeast fermentations. 1–3 punchdowns daily in 1- to 5-ton open-top fermenters. Moved to barrel by gravity. Undergoes full malolactic conversion in barrel. Fined with egg whites, unfiltered. 17 months in French oak, 49% new. TA 5 g/l, pH 3.74. Mid cherry red. Not yet as openly aromatic as the 2017 and very slightly darker fruited. Attractively savoury, earthy spice, the oak evident but not overpowering. On the day after opening, I was a little more aware of the whole-bunch component, giving a very light herbal note. On the palate this seems fresher and more elegant than the 2017, the tannins finer-grained even if they are still present. A little more tightly wound yet juicy on the finish. (JH)
The 2018 Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard was made with 46% whole clusters and aged 17 months in 51% new French oak. Medium ruby, it has an incredible perfume of broody earth, licorice and lilac with concentrated blueberry and cranberry fruit. The medium-bodied palate is silky and expansive, offering loads of perfume and powerful fruit in a seamless, feathery frame, finishing very long. What a beauty! 859 cases produced.
Limpid ruby-red. Ripe red berries, cherry cola, exotic spices and a hint of potpourri on the deeply perfumed nose. Chewy and focused on the palate, offering spice-tinged black raspberry, cherry liqueur and rose pastille flavors complemented by subtle licorice and mocha nuances. A smoky quality builds with air and carries through a long, youthfully tannic finish that echoes the cherry note.