Description

The Basalte Pinot Noir is J. Christopher's bedrock bottling from the Willamette Valley. It is sourced from vineyards that have fairly thin volcanic clay topsoil over fractured basalt. This type of very rocky soil lends itself to muscular, firmly structured wines, with persistent length. The Basalte captures this expressive character of the soil, with deep red fruit and a fine tannic structure that maintains the elegant style they seek.

Produced in Oregon's Northern Willamette Valley, the range of J. Christopher Wines follows a patient winemaking approach that clearly expresses the unique character of their cool-climate roots. Owned by renowned Mosel winegrower, Ernst "Erni" Loosen (of Dr. Loosen), the wines are handcrafted in small lots and are sourced from some of the finest sustainably managed vineyards in the area. The goal of J. Christopher Wines is to showcase the Old World finesse and elegance that Erni has always pursued in his German wines. As Erni puts it, "We want to make wines that have a fine balance of fruit, acidity and texture, while expressing their individual origins." The key to this is unhurried winemaking, which allows the wines to evolve at their own pace, with the minimum of intervention.

The 2019 vintage was challenging in all the ways that can bring out the best in Willamette Valley Pinot Noir. The growing season was a welcome respite from the warm temperatures of the previous five years. It started off with a cold snap in February, turning slightly warmer than average in late spring, followed by a mild summer with no major heat spikes. Cooling rain that came in mid-September had them looking for small windows of sun to pick, but it brought produced beautiful wines reminiscent of Oregon past (and Burgundian counterparts). It was a more "classic" Willamette Valley vintage, with plenty of time for slow, steady ripening, resulting in beautiful, energetic Pinots with silky texture and a balance of fruit and earth.

"Attractively savory nose of mushrooms, sea urchins, cherries, slate and green strawberries. It's sleek, savory and mineral, with a medium body, fine-grained tannins and a more stony finish. Unfiltered. Drink now or hold."
92 points.
Claire Nesbitt, jamessuckling.com (March 2023)