95pts James Suckling

Very firm, focused and concentrated, showing pure black cherries and blackcurrants on a lively frame of nervy acidity and moderate tannins. Mouthwatering acidity, with fruit expanding on the palate and spices like cloves and cinnamon developing. Drink now or hold.

95pts Wine Spectator

This impressive Pinot is polished and detailed, offering dynamic flavors of raspberry and blueberry, with mineral and brown baking spice hints that build richness toward fine-grained tannins. Drink now through 2035. 11,870 cases made.

94pts Decanter

This is 77% estate fruit, in the 2023 vintage of Mt Jefferson (up from 64% in the 2021 vintage); it's no average blend. The winemaking team says that some impressive barrels make it to this bottle. ‘We make all of our wines to be vineyard designates, and many of those wines make it to this cuvée,’ says winemaker Daniel Estrin. Aromatically alluring with red fruits, spicy clove and savoury whisps of mint. The palate shows ample texture, tannin and great pops of fruit, red berries, and blood orange press across the palate, trailing savoury herbs and spice.

94pts International Wine Report

The Cristom 2023 Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir was rated 94 points by International Wine Report, as confirmed by Cristom Vineyards' press and accolades page. The wine is known for its focused, complex, and savory profile, featuring black cherry, red plum, anise, and potpourri notes, balanced by lively acidity and fine tannins, with a long, spicy finish. 

93pts Owen Bargreen

The brilliant 2023 Cristom ‘Mt. Jefferson Cuvee’ Pinot Noir was aged in nearly all neutral oak for 11 months prior to bottling. The wine saw roughly 50% half whole cluster fermentation. Juicy guava and strawberry fruits mark the nose alongside cloves, black pepper dusted orange peel and tobacco leaf notes. The palate is gorgeous in terms of weight and flavor density. This is a truly outstanding bottling at a great price.

93pts Vinous

The 2023 Pinot Noir Mt. Jefferson Cuvée blends dusty rose, licorice and orange-tinged wild strawberries. Soothingly round and pure in style, it offers crisp red berry fruits and mineral tones complemented by pretty inner florals. Gently tannic and long, the palate leaves a pleasantly chewy sensation and finishes with a tart cranberry twang. As of 2023, the Mt. Jefferson Cuvée uses 77% estate fruit. It is a fantastic value.

Tasting Notes

A fresh, wild, and savory expression with vibrant acidity and an elegant structure. Earth-laced fruit aromas of blackberry bramble, dark cherry, and huckleberry seamlessly intertwine with savory hints of curry leaves and lobster mushrooms, accented by subtle notes of dried orange peel and baking spices. Earthy and floral elements—forest floor, conifer needles, and rose hips—carry through to the palate, beautifully integrated with effusive raspberry and cherry notes, leading to a long, spicy finish.

About the Wine

Our Mt. Jefferson Cuvée Pinot Noir is the first Pinot Noir of the vintage to be crafted after multiple tastings of every individual barrel, it captures the best of the Eola-Amity Hills. This is the 29th vintage of this iconic Pinot Noir blend which comprises a record 77% Cristom Estate fruit from Cristom’s world-class Estate vineyards, combined with exceptional fruit from esteemed neighbors. Our Estate vineyards are planted across a diverse array of soil types, elevations, and aspects, further shaped by coastal winds and volcanic geology, all adding to the character, fruit, and structure that give “Mt. Jeff” its well-deserved reputation as one of the most stylistically consistent Pinot Noirs in the world. 

About the Winery

Cristom Vineyards was established in 1992 by the Gerrie family to grow and craft distinguished wines of place that honor individual sites and traditional techniques. Family-owned for over thirty years, we remain stewards of our east-facing volcanic hillside in the Eola-Amity Hills focused on growing benchmark Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.

Bringing together biodynamic and organic farming methods, we farm the land with the next 100-years in mind. Our winegrowing centers on the philosophy that the greatest expression of terroir produces the finest wines. The cornerstone of our winemaking is rooted in traditional methods – site selection, low yields, whole-cluster fermentation and native yeasts – to produce balanced, dynamic wines of intensity, structure and length.