Cristom Vineyards

1998 McKinlay Special Selection Pinot Noir

What a treat! This wine is in a perfect plateau of its evolution right now and we want to share it with you. We’re fortunate to have stashed a bit for just such an occasion, and this will be our first ‘cellar selection’ in the shop, available for tasting. And if you love it as much as we do, you can buy a bottle and shares it. Perfumed red, red fruit literally takes your senses by storm, leading to a mouthful of tangy fruit and savory herbs. Rub down some lamb, fire up the grill and prepare yourself for the fireworks!

DATE TASTED: 5-12-14

2006 J.K. Carriere Provocateur

At the time of release, I featured this wine in a write-up hailing it as a delicious over-delivering beauty that will age for some time. Well, proof is in the glass. I just popped the cork on my last bottle and I’m happily sipping on a deliciously aged Pinot that is silky soft, and fully developed. Blue, blue, blue fruit dominates with hints of licorice, black currant and sassafras. If there’s one slight want in this wine it’s a bit more acid, but that was the year more than the winemaking. Heck, if memory serves me right, Shea made up a good portion of this wine, so that’s to be expected. At $24 when released back in 2007, there are few deals like Provocateur in the Oregon Pinot Noir game. And to think, it’s the very same price for the current vintage! If you’d like to know when the next release hits the shelf, just shoot us a message.

DATE TASTED: 2-10-14

2005 Dominio IV The Black and The Red pinot noir

Fully developed and balanced with plenty of verve. The black quotient is showing nicely, with black licorice, plum and minerals. Deliciously soft

DATE TASTED: 1-5-14