2 Nice 2007 Entry Level Pinots - Swan CdT & Cristom Mt Jeff

2007 Cristom Pinot Noir Mt. Jefferson Cuvée - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (12/8/2009)
Had over 2 nights next the the 07 Swan CdT.

Big contrast on the nose compared to the Swan. As usual with this wine, the stems make their presence known. No sweet red cherry fruit on this nose but plenty of earth, char, spice and mushrooms. Darker. Not to say there is not fruit on the palate but it is not the driving force here. The show is the balance of acid and light tannin. The flavors burst onto the palate, while the finish is un-evolved. Good amount of stuffing here. (91 pts.)

2007 Joseph Swan Vineyards Pinot Noir Cuvée de Trois - USA, California, Sonoma County, Russian River Valley (12/8/2009)
Had over 2 nights next to the 07 Cristom Mt Jeff.

Having 2 wines that seem to bring a lot to the table, year after year, at a very nice price. The Swan was certainly all about Cali pinot. The nose showed large amounts of cherry candy. Not in an off-putting bubble gummy way but in an intriguing way. The palate shows mainly sweet fruit. Not over-ripe. No heat. RRV fruityness. A tasty and balanced wine with big purity. Wait a few more years on this one. (90 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

Thanks for the notes, Jason. The Cristom sounds right up my alley. I think I’m coming around to the realization that I really like whole cluster Pinots. I’ve never tasted a Cristom, though. Sounds like that needs to change.

Jamie, I think you would like Cristom. While I am rarely taken by their non pinot wines, I think the pinots are very nice and extremely well made. If you didn’t know, Steve (the wine-maker) was the wine-maker at Calera back in the day.

Jason

Yes, that’s one of the reasons I’m interested in them, although I’ve never had a Doerner-era Calera.