2002 Cristom Louise Vineyard Pinot Noir

[wondersofwine]

Willamette Valley, OR
14% alcohol Cost me about $40.
Deep purple color with crimson glints at the edge. Nose of purple and dark fruits. Taste of dark cherries and plumskin on the palate. Long finish. Oak treatment subtle, not overwhelming IMO. I liked this and would rate it in the upper 80's (very good to very good+) but can find other CA and OR Pinots that I like as much for $10-$15 less so perhaps a one-time purchase.

[dananne]

Did you purchase this one while out there this summer?

[wondersofwine]

No, I purchased it from Carolina Wine Company in Raleigh.

[dananne]

I don't recall seeing if you've popped any of your Pinot purchases yet. We haven't opened a single wine from our trip yet, though admittedly they were mostly '03s that we're going to let sit a bit. Sure looking forward to more than a few, though! [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

[wondersofwine]

Due to carrying them on the airplane, I only brought four bottles back--only one was a Pinot Noir. I had three bottles of Argyle Minus Five shipped and have opened one. I opened the Saviah Red Mountain Syrah. Haven't yet opened the Ponzi Arneis, Two Mountain Riesling (will probably get to this one soon) or the Lange Pinot Noir.
Dananne, Jeff Butler used to post on the WLDG forum (now moved to Netscape Communities). When he was taking a business trip to the Triangle last spring he asked for advice about wine tasting and restaurants in the area. We ended up meeting at Zely and Ritz and sharing a dinner. He spoke then about the stresses of constant travel for his computer-related job. He has since left that job and is working for Daniel Gehrs, learning more about winemaking from the physical labor point-of-view. I know you have praised Daniel Gehrs Pinot Noir but I have yet to come across one to try.

[dananne]

You should have seen Anne and I at the airport with our boxes and boxes. At one point, I think I half-seriously threatened to leave it all behind at the car rental [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]

Lucky guy with the Gehrs gig! Yes, I love his PN. I'll try and get one into your hands the next time we meet up.

So, Matt #1s Riesling was good, huh? I've been in touch with Kathy about getting some wine from Two Mountain. I don't think he brought a Riesling to the dinner, but we very much enjoyed what we tried that night. Perhaps we'll add a few of those to our impending order.

I look forward to hearing about the Arneis.

[winoweenie]

Kat is supposed to get Ik and moi' in business with these lovelies. Looking forward with breath in abatement. WW [img]http://www.wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]

[wondersofwine]

Mutual Distributing handles Lange Pinot Noir in North Carolina. I'm trying to get the owners of Carolina Wine Company to consider carrying it.