J. Christopher Basalte Pinot Noir 2019 Wilamette Valley Unfiltered 750ml

Expert Reviews - Vintage 2019

Clive Pursehouse writes:  Savoury, dark and brooding, this wine is a blend of vineyard sites with thin top soils over fractured basalt—a fascinating study in variety and terroir. The rocky soils lend the wine structure and ample texture alongside its dark fruited core—Aromatics of Damson plums and Mission figs accented by a touch of spearmint. The palate is rich with baking chocolate, ripe pluots, red apple skin and blood orange.  Drinking 2023 to 2030.  - Decanter 93

James Suckling writes:  Attractively savory nose of mushrooms, sea urchins, cherries, slate and green strawberries. It’s sleek, savory and mineral, with a medium body, fine-grained tannins and a more stony finish. Unfiltered. Drink now or hold.  - James Suckling 92

Tim Fish writes:  Gracefully structured, with a vibrant beam of cherry and raspberry flavors accented by stony minerality and dusky spices. Builds richness toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2030.   - Wine Spectator 93

Winemaker Description 

The Basalte Pinot Noir is our bedrock bottling from the Willamette Valley. It is sourced from vineyards that have fairly thin volcanic clay topsoil over fractured basalt. This type of very rocky soil lends itself to muscular, firmly structured wines, with persistent length. The Basalte captures this expressive character of the soil, with deep red fruit and a fine tannic structure that maintains elegant style.