Cristom Vineyards

2015 Vintage

94 points - Josh Raynolds, Vinous
"Deep red. Expansive, spice-accented red fruit and spicecake aromas show excellent clarity and pick up suggestions of cola and sandalwood with air. Juicy, focused and appealingly sweet, offering intense black raspberry, cherry pie and five-spice powder flavors that tighten up steadily on the back half. Shows outstanding energy and clarity and finishes sappy and impressively long, featuring discreet tannins and an emphatic echo of juicy red fruit." Drinking Window 2021-2028

93 points - JAMESSUCKLING.COM
"This pinot noir shows light tobacco, raspberries and orange skin. Hints of cedar, too. Medium to full body, firm tannins and a vibrant finish. Drink from 2020."

94 points - Lisa Perotti Brown, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
"Pale to medium ruby-purple, the 2015 Pinot Noir Louise Vineyard has a savory, almost meaty nose over a core of Black Forest cake, red currants, mulberries, cardamom and fenugreek with a touch of potpourri. Medium-bodied, the palate has exquisitely fine tannins and a lively line of acidity supporting generous, multi-layered red berry preserves and spice, finishing with impressive persistence and depth." Drink Date 2017-2024

2014 Vintage

95 points – Rusty Gaffney M.D.,  The Prince of Pinot
"Light cherry red color in the glass. The aromas of crushed cherry, spice, rose petal, pine sap and vanilla oil draw your nose into the glass. A perfectly ripe core of dark red cherry essence fills every nook and cranny in the mouth and really clings to the finish. There are nuances galore, including accents of cardamom spice, boysenberry juice and subtle oak spices. The wine has noticeable energy and enough tannin for the long haul. Even more giving when tasting the following day from a previously opened and re-corked bottle exhibiting dreamy balance." 

93 points – Josh Raynolds, Vinous 
"Dark red. Ripe dark berry, cherry, incense and floral pastille scents are accented by a strong note of smoky Indian spices. Sappy and seamless in texture, offering juicy, densley packed black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that turn sweeter with air. Shows impressive depth as well as vivacity, finishing with powerful, spicy thrust, gentle tannic grip and striking persistence. This was the richest wine of my tasting of Doerner's '14s and looks to be a solid cellar candidate."

93 points – JAMESSUCKLING.com
"Aromas of toffee, ripe fruit and chocolate follow through to a full body, soft tannins and walnut/hazelnut undertones. Soft-textured. Delicious finish."

91 points - Wine & Spirits Magazine
"Scents of cedar and warm leather suggest an oak-driven wine, but with air a dark, mineral-inflected black plum flavor comes to the fore, accented by savory stem spice. Give this time in the cellar to knit and then serve with tea-smoked duck."

2013 Vintage

94 points - "Cellar Selection", The Wine Enthusiast 
"Set at the top of Cristom's excellent lineup, this lush, round and seducive wine is built upon ripe black-cherry fruit. It plays out broadly across the palate, open and smooth, wih nuances of cola, sandalwood and spice. Crisp, natural acidity keeps it lifted and lively." 

94 points - Josh Raynolds, Vinous 
"Deep red. Hugely aromatic bouquet evokes ripe red fruits, incense and Asian spices, along with a bright mineral overtone. Juicy and precise on the palate, offering sweet raspberry preserve, rose pastille and spicecake flavors that deepen and spread out with air. Delivers a suave blend of power and elegance, finishing with harmonious tannins and remarkable clarity and length."

91 points - Wine & Spirits Magazine
"Pretty and austere, this quiet pinot has a core of fruit held at some remove by its structure. The wine's acidiy is elegant and pleasing, framing dusty cranberry flavors and a whole-cluster breadth to the texture."

2015 Louise Estate Pinot Noir