Cristom Vineyards

     Thursday October 18, 2018

Reservations Closed
Course Pairing / Description Wine
Hors D’oeuvres Panko Breaded Jumbo Shrimp (Roasted Green Apple-Basil Remoulade with Harissa Roasted Sesame Seeds) Bacon Wrapped Chicken Thigh Brochettes (Blistered Piquillo Pepper-Viognier Jam)
Cristom Vineyards has played a unique role in the pioneering of Viognier in the Willamette Valley. They were among the first to grow the varietal with their original estate plantings in 1993 and the first winery to produce an estate bottling of Viognier with their 1996 vintage release. Additionally, Cristom winemaker Steve Doerner previously produced the varietal during his 14 year tenure with California’s legendary Calera Wine Company; making him America’s longest running winemaker of Viognier, having produced the varietal for nearly all 40 vintages of his winemaking career. The Cristom 2016 Estate Viognier exhibits the pure, nearly textbook characteristics of this varietal, with floral aromas of orange blossoms, honeysuckle, clover and anise, as well as ripe fruit aromas of peach, apricot and lychee. Slightly viscous on the palate, with bright and mouth-watering acidity that support the fruit structure of the wine, it is well integrated and perfectly balanced. 		Cristom Vineyards Estate Viognier 2016
Soup Course Roasted Butternut Squash Bisque (Crispy Salt and Pepper Matchstick Potatoes and Micro Herbs)
Cristom Vineyards’ Estate Pinot Gris vines were planted in 1993, with 5.1 acres placed on a gentle, east-facing slope that begins at the lowest elevation on the property, greeting visitors as they enter the estate and rising from 200 feet to 350 feet. The Pinot Gris vineyard is distinctive to the estate in that it is planted entirely over ancient flood deposits, known as Missoula Flood silts and marine sediments. Planted at a high density of 1,815 vines per acre, the Pinot Gris block has consistently produced a lifted, floral and citrus-tinged wine that combines zesty, mineral-driven accents with a distinctively creamy finish since its first release with the 1996 vintage. The Cristom 2016 Estate Pinot Gris exudes aromas of clingstone peach, jasmine and honeydew melon, with notes of Bosc pears and Gala apples leaping from the glass. Stylistically dry, this wine is exceptionally food-friendly, with fine phenolics and a subtle, silky creaminess from the full malolactic fermentation and aging on its lees. 		Cristom Vineyards Estate Pinot Gris 2016
Seafood Course Charred Citrus, Red Wine & Fennel Poached Salmon (Jasmine Rice, Wine-Tomato, Leek and Saffron Broth with Sweet Peas and Fine Herbs)
The Mt. Jefferson Cuvée is a blend of the Cristom estate Pinot Noir vineyards along with exceptional fruit they source from neighboring vineyards in the Willamette Valley. These vineyard sites have been thoughtfully selected over the years and are planted on a variety of soil types, elevations and aspects, representing the Willamette Valley Appellation as a broader whole. These vineyards are farmed by committed winegrowers they are proud to partner with, with each site adding to the character, fruit and structure of the wine, giving “Mt. Jeff” its deserved reputation as one of the most stylistically consistent Pinot Noirs in the world. After multiple tastings of every lot of the vintage, it is the “Mt. Jeff” blend that the Cristom winemaker crafts first. Whole-cluster fermentations by native yeast and extended aging in French oak are the hallmarks of the Cristom winemaking style. This wine ages in barrel for twelve months and can stylistically be the most fresh and approachable of the Cristom Pinot Noirs in its youth. In 2016, this wine received a rating of 90 points from Robert Parker. 		Cristom Vineyards Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir 2015
Beef Course Pepper Crusted & Cast Iron Pan Seared Beef Striploin (Roasted Garlic and Crème Fraiche White Hominy, Baby Green Beans and Roasted Red Bell Pepper Pesto)
The Eileen Vineyard is named for Cristom’s co-founder, Eileen Gerrie, mother of second-generation winegrower-owner, Tom Gerrie. The original planting of the Eileen Vineyard began in 1997 and was later expanded in 2006, resulting in a total of 16.61 acres and making Eileen their largest estate vineyard. Perched atop the Cristom estate, Eileen is also their highest-elevation vineyard, possessing commanding views of Oregon’s Cascade Range to the east and Coastal Range to the west. Eileen’s maritime climate features moderately warm days with especially cool nights, allowing the vines to retain acidity and produce intense aromas and flavors. In August, 2017, Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate commented, “Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2015 Pinot Noir Eileen gives bold raspberry preserves and red currant jelly notes with suggestions of chargrill meat, truffles, forest floor and cedar. Medium-bodied, the palate delivers a solid backbone of grainy tannins and loads of freshness supporting the generous, muscular fruit, finishing with great persistence.” 94+ points 		Cristom Vineyards Eileen Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
Cheese Course Trio of Aged Cheeses, Syrah Sticky Raisins & Gourmet Biscuits (Point Reyes Blue, Camembert And 8-Year Aged Cheddar)
Cristom Vineyards made the decision to grow Syrah after the proven success of the 1993 plantings of Viognier on the same lower slopes of Louise Vineyard. In 2002, the classic northern Rhone varietal was grafted over Chardonnay vines originally planted in 1993 on two devigorating American rootstocks. Four clones of Syrah were selected primarily for their recognized heritage of producing small berries, encouraging their chances to ripen Syrah in the Willamette Valley. Planted on one of the lowest slopes on the estate (310 ft - 270 ft) and entirely on Missoula Flood deposits, the Cristom Estate Syrah was first produced in 2003. The Missoula Flood silts are very deep soils lying over very old basalt paleosol and are very well drained and can be some of the most vigorous soils on the estate. Lying low on the hillside where heat accumulation is at its highest on the estate, they can only get this Syrah ripe in the Willamette Valley two out of three vintages. They produce just under 200 cases off of 1.25 acres, making this an extremely limited wine, one that you will want to hang on to as it gains complexity in the bottle. The Cristom Estate Syrah has an attractive nose of boysenberry, bilberry, marmalade and rosemary scents that lean toward Cote-Rotie in style. The palate is medium-bodied with supple tannin, well-judged acidity, plenty of energy with great tension on the finish. Cristom produces an extremely limited quantity of this wine each year causing it to be very sought after. This wine is defined by spice, balance, perfume, texture and nuance, and they can gain complexity in the bottle for a decade or more. 		Cristom Vineyards Estate Syrah 2015