2017 Cristom Pinot Noir Eileen Vineyard

Bright red. An intensely perfumed bouquet displays ripe red/blue fruit, baking spice, incense qualities and a strong, mineral overtone. Offers sweet, penetrating raspberry, blueberry, cherry pit, lavender pastille and spicecake flavors that show serious depth as well as vivacity. Displays impressive clarity and spicy thrust on the finish, which features smoothly interwoven tannins and suave, clinging floral and mineral notes. 95 points

The 2017 Pinot Noir Eileen Vineyard was made with 48% whole clusters and aged 18 months in 67% new French oak. It has a medium ruby color and opens with cinnamon stick, dried leaves and dusty earth, segueing slowly to black cherries, peppered meats, Earl Grey tea leaves, charcuterie, dried herbs and a spicy vein. The medium-bodied palate is slow to blossom, softly chalky and super fresh with a long, nuanced finish. This will benefit from another year or two in bottle. 876 cases produced. 93 points