Hello to those who Imbibe!

Cristom has long been considered one of our favorite wineries in America. If you’ve shopped Pinot Noir at Imbibe, then you’ve heard David tell you many times Cristom is his favorite winery. We have visited this winery numerous times over the years and the wines of Cristom have continued to be a permanent fixture in our shop. When it comes to the 2019 vintage of Willamette Pinot Noir the word is, “the purists are going to love 2019.” This vintage is more reminiscent of the 70’s and 80’s and show more of an old-world Burgundian style.   

“The mild temperatures during the growing season allowed us to maintain natural acidity, highlighting the more floral aspect of Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley.”

Another reason to stock up on the 2019 vintage is that the 2020 vintage is pretty much a wash due to the wildfires that devastated the West Coast. We are in the process of buying as much as we can from several of our favorite producers because they/we will at some point be out of wine for some time. This is your opportunity to capitalize on a cellar worthy vintage and keep an eye out for more of our featured writeups. We will always have outstanding wines from around the globe available, but will your wine be available? The time is now.
Cheers, Robert

2019 Cristom Mt. Jefferson Pinot Noir $41.99
95 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The caliber of the 2019 Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir, Cristom’s largest-production SKU, is impressive this vintage. Medium ruby-purple, it features savory cranberry sauce, orange peel and tar aromas with tones of dried flowers and spice. The medium-bodied palate offers the pleasing, gently grippy tannins and bright freshness characteristic of Cristom’s generous whole-cluster inclusion, and it finishes with intense, layered fruits and floral accents.”

2019 Cristom Marjorie Pinot Noir $79.99
96 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“Medium ruby, the 2019 Pinot Noir Marjorie Vineyard offers scents of raspberry preserves, Earl Grey tea leaves, licorice and an undertone of gravelly mineral character. The light-bodied palate is intensely flavored but delicately styled, with a silky texture and juicy acidity, finishing with ethereal perfume.”

2019 Cristom Jessie Pinot Noir $79.99
96 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard offers notable layering and purity this vintage. Intense, savory cranberry fruit is accented by tones of charcuterie and sweet balsamic on the nose, and the palate combines that sweet, savory and earthy character in a silky frame, finishing with a flourish of spices and great legth.”

2019 Cristom Eileen Pinot Noir $79.99
96 points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Medium ruby, the 2019 Pinot Noir Eileen Vineyard is pure, delicate and so pretty! It has layered aromas of raspberries and blueberries with tangerine peel, aniseed and an array of earthy accents. Bursting with juicy acidity and super silky in texture, the palate has a weightless feel despite its intense, layered flavors, and it finishes with tremendous length.

2019 Cristom Louise Pinot Noir $79.99
94+ Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
The 2019 Chardonnay Louise Vineyard is scented of white peaches, spring honey and hazelnuts, which seem in 2019 to capture the alluring essence of just-ripe Willamette Valley Chardonnay, tinged with tones of graphite and mushroom powder. The palate is youthfully citrusy and tangy, gaining volume and depth on the extended, honeyed finish. That racy acidity will help this age gracefully, and it will benefit from 2-3 more years in bottle.

2019 Cristom Paul Gerrie Pinot Noir $79.99
97 Points Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
“The 2019 Pinot Noir Paul Gerrie Vineyard combines power and precision. It opens with a pleasant touch of sweet balsamic, with Morello cherries, bergamot and loamy earth. The medium-bodied palate is surprisingly intense, all that powerful fruit accented by swirls of savory and spicy nuance. It flows through the mouth with a silky, weightless texture and finishes very long and layered.”