2016 Pinot Noir Louise Vineyard

Daniel Estrin, who has been the associate winemaker at Littorai for the last seven years, is joining Cristom and assuming the role of vineyard manager and co-winemaker. He’ll work alongside proprietor Tom Gerrie, whose parents established the winery 27 years ago, and long-time winemaker Steve Doerner, who has been with the Gerries since the winery’s inception. In both 2017 and 2016 the wines here show the typical spicy, floral character for which Cristom has long been known, but with an extra degree of heft and even a touch of darker fruit character, which is unsurprising given the conditions of both vintages. The Mt. Jefferson bottling, from both years, is, as usual, a standout for the price.