TN: 2012 Cristom Pinot Noir Marjorie Vineyard (USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley)

  • 2012 Cristom Pinot Noir Marjorie Vineyard - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (5/18/2015)
    Decanted quite, good 8 hrs. Of air. Pretty high expectations on this one, big time hype of the OR 12 vintage along with a producer than can be pretty showy (in a good way) right out of the gate. Tons of exotic scents on the nose, flowers, and spices, all wrapped around a core of dark candied cassis fruit. Very Cristom. Deceptive wine on the palate, a big blast of black strawberry fruit announced it certainly wasn’t shy. For about half a glass, I was actually a little concerned that the wine was a bit simple, all fruit and nothing else. Fortunately that was not the case as a supporting tannic structure emerged along with some interesting mint and clove. Also began to develop a nice earthy, mineral streak on the finish. Low acidity, but plenty of verve. If you have a few of these, definitely worth cracking one open, should age well too, the track record is there. (93 pts.)

Posted from CellarTracker

That’s the only “Lady” I don’t have in 2012. IIRC, Marjorie was priced higher than the rest due to replanting. Thanks for taking one for the team but I think I will give the girls a few more years in the cellar.

John, I’m normally a Jessie man myself, but I must admit, after Neal Martins glowing note and a good price at Total Wine ($55) I was in for a few bottles. It’s always hard to articulate a Cristom wine, they certainly would never be confused with a AFWE wine ala Belle Pente but they aren’t fruit bombs either. Anyway, I have always enjoyed them a lot and they are fun wines to open for non serious wine folk, as they usually get a few oohs and aahhhs.

Was just up at Belle Ponte last week. They are making some really nice AFE wines. Bought a case from Evan.

Wow, I don’t think I would have put Belle Pente and Cristom on polarized ends of the AFWE scale. For the record, I Enjoy them both. Cristom tends to need age more than BP.

Cristom is always consistent and one of my favorites from Oregon (in addition to Cameron, DD). The 2012’s are very good across the board.