2019 Cristom AVA Series Yamhill-Carlton Pinot Noir

Cristom Vineyards is based in Salem, Oregon. It was founded in 1992 by Paul Gerrie, an engineer with a taste for Burgundy. He and his family moved to Oregon to make Pinot Noir and their debut commercial wine was the 1992 vintage. Gerrie his wife and adult children run the 65-acre estate. Steve Doerner is winemaker. Cristom is known for its estate Pinot Noir, but also makes Pinot Gris, Chardonnay, Viognier and Syrah. The wines earn compliments from critics and scores in the mid-90s.

Yamhill-Carlton AVA is located in Yamhill and Washington Counties, and it is entirely contained within the Willamette Valley AVA, Oregon’s most prestigious wine producing region. It has 1,200 vineyard acres and was awarded AVA status in 2004. The region grows Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Dolcetto, Muscat, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Gris. Ken Wright Cellars, Elk Cove Vineyards and WillaKenzie Estate are among the district’s best-known producers. All focus on Pinot Noir.

This red wine is relatively light and can pair with a wide variety of foods. The grape prefers cooler climates and the wine is most often associated with Burgundy, Champagne and the U.S. west coast. Regional differences make it nearly as fickle as it is flexible.