VOLUME 12, ISSUE 34
December 30, 2022
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE:
A Commonplace Bucket of Pinot Noir: Quotes, Ephemera, and Thoughts The Prince Retires (this time for good)

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Vineyard: Eileen

OwnerPaul Gerrie
AppellationEola-Amity Hills
Story12 acres of Pinot Noir planted in Jory soils in 1997. Pommard, Dijon 114,115,777.
VarietiesPinot Noir

Articles mentioning wines produced from this vineyard

Wineries sourcing from this vineyard

Reviewed wines produced from this vineyard

2017 Cristom Eileen Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., pH 3.63, TA 0.56, 876 cases, $65. Clones 114, 115, 777, Pommard and Wädenswil. 48% whole clusters, native yeast fermentation, aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 67% new. Fined with egg whites and unfiltered. · Moderate garnet color in the glass. This wine has more tannic “guts,” but also the most concentrated fruit. Lovely aromas of dark red cherry, spice, brioche and rose petal. Mid weight plus in style, featuring waves of dark red and purple fruits that saturate the palate. Bold, yet charming, with enough juicy acidity to balance the tannic backbone. I was more enamored with the wine when tasted the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle. Merci! Score: 97. Reviewed July 20, 2019 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2015 Cristom Eileen Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., pH 3.64, TA 0.56, 1,043 cases, $65. This vineyard is named for Cristom’s co-founder, Eileen Gerrie. Planting began in 1997 and expanded in 2006, resulting in a total of 16.61 acres, making Eileen the largest Cristom estate vineyard. It is also the highest elevation vineyard. Clones 113, 114, 115, 777, Pommard and Wädenswil. 42% whole cluster native fermentation. Aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 56% new. Fined with egg whites and unfiltered. · Moderate light garnet color in the glass. An array of charming aromas including cherry, rose petal, mushroom and sous bois greet the drinker. Upon opening, the wine is a bit flat and withdrawn. The following day, mid weight flavors of black cherry, dark strawberry, spice, mushroom and green vegetable emerge.The tannins are highly structured, yet integrated with the healthy fruit sap. The whole cluster vegetal note leaves me concerned. Perhaps time in the cellar will fully revive and acclimate this wine and prove the score too conservative. Score: 90. Reviewed January 20, 2018 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2014 Cristom Eileen Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., pH 3.62, TA 0.61, 940 cases, $59. Vineyard named after founder Eileen Gerrie, wife of Paul Gerrie. Planting began in 1997 to Dijon 114, 115 and 777 and Pommard clone at high density. Wadenswil was added in 2006 bringing the vineyard to 16.61 acres, the largest planting of Pinot Noir on the estate. This vineyard extends to the crest of the Eola Hills and is exposed to the last rays of sunlight each day and the first cooling Pacific Ocean breezes. Soils are primarily Jory and Nekia. Harvest Brix 24.5º-24.6º. 48% whole clusters. No cold soak, minimum addditions of sulfur and tartaric acid, native yeast fermentation, bladder pressed, aged 18 months in French oak barrels, 44% new. Bottled after fining with egg whites and unfiltered. · Moderately light reddish purple color in the glass. Seductive aromas of black cherry, exotic spices and sous-bois lead to a sturdy and highly flavorful palate featuring dark cherry and purple grape fruits gently framed by firm but not imposing tannins. Engaging fruit purity and delightful spice with a lingering, juicy finish. You will want to elope with Eileen. Score: 94. Reviewed December 13, 2016 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2012 Cristom Eileen Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $58. Typically the most precocious of the four estate vineyard wines and often the first wine released to the market. This vineyard extends to the crest of the property exposing the vines to the last rays of sun and the first cooling breezes from the Pacific Ocean. Volcanic soils. · Moderately dark reddish purple color in the glass. The seductive scents of dark berries, black cherries, rose petal and cardamon spice really get the juices flowing. It is challenging to adequately describe this nose since the aromas saturate the olfactory senses with so much whole cluster goodness. “Wow” might be the best descriptor. On entry, this wine delivers a charge of black raspberry fruit and exotic spices that really brings the palate to alert. This is a stunning wine with a silky texture, healthy young tannins, and a peacock finish that hangs on for at least a minute. There is some umami at work in this wine as well. Scary to think that this wine will be even better with more bottle age. Score: 96-97. Reviewed December 11, 2014 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2009 Cristom Eileen Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $44. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Rich aromas of red berry jam and cherry leather which are long and persistent. Delicious array of perfectly ripe fruits including black cherries, black raspberries and plum with well-proportioned tannins. A touch of spice rounds out the appealing flavor profile. Darkest in color and the most endowed wine in this vintage lineup for Cristom, this is a beautifully composed and balanced wine. Reviewed May 11, 2012 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2008 Cristom Eileen Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., pH 3.82, TA 0.54, 659 cases, $50. Highest elevation and youngest of the estate Pinot Noir vineyards. Vines are planted at high density in primarily Jory soil. First of the estate vineyards to be farmed entirely by organic methods. 43% whole clusters. Native yeast exclusively. Aged 17 months in 59% new Burgundian oak barrels. · Moderately dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Subdued and mysterious perfume of black fruits, spice and stem. Fresh and juicy on the palate with very impressive extraction and a prodigious tannic backbone. The flavors of fresh blackberries, Hoison sauce and Asian 5-spice are reserved and take a back seat to the tannins. Still, there is amazing grand cru quality persistence on the huge finish. Tremendous potential here but will take years to fulfill. Reviewed November 30, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Cristom Eileen Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $24 (1/2 bottle). · A spicy, cherry driven wine that is alive with scent and flat out delicious. Very harmonious with faint oak influence, supple ripe tannins and a gentle texture. The best wine of many great wines in this lineup today. Reviewed December 17, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2006 Cristom Eileen Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.5% alc., $42. · Stunning scents of red Pinot fruits, particularly strawberry with a sidecar of oak. Beautifully composed demure cherry core which has unbelievable persistence. A creamy and seamless wine that is about as perfect as it gets. Reviewed September 15, 2008 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2005 Cristom Eileen Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

13.5% alc., $65, sold out. · Dark reddish-purple color in the glass. Terrific aromatics offering plenty of whole cluster spice, dark red fruits and a hint of brioche. Delicious array of dark red and black stone fruits impress the mid palate with verve and intensity. Nicely proportioned fine grain tannins and acidity with a silky texture and a finish redolent of cherry skins. Still coming around and has plenty of life ahead. Reviewed November 30, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

2000 Cristom Eileen Vineyard Willamette Valley Pinot Noir

14.0% alc., $60, sold out. · Dark, inky in color in the glass. Brooding nose offering aromas of bramble, grass and earth. Rustic, loamy and brutish offering moderately intense dark berry fruits on the palate with very prominent oak tannins. Simply put, this wine offers little charm. Drink up. Decent. Reviewed November 30, 2011 WINERY » ARTICLE »

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