95 Points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2021 Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard was fermented with 52% whole clusters. It features layered scents of raspberry, pomegranate, tea leaves, prosciutto and earth, offering additional nuances with each return to the glass. The medium-bodied palate offers complex layers of fruit, earth and spice. It has a seamless frame of dusty tannins and vibrant acidity and a long, fragrant finish.
95 Points Decanter
Winemaker (and vineyard manager) Daniel Estrin refers to the Jessie Vineyard Pinot as a velvet sledgehammer, saying ‘this site has power and intensity with smooth edges.’ Aromas kick off a sweet blue fruit note with turned earth and fresh herbs accented by plenty of violets. These east-facing slopes see no afternoon sun and retain great freshness. The palate reflects those lively blue fruits, showing real depth and texture. There is fresh mint and touches of balsamic and soy umami. Seriously structured to lay down for many years.
94 Points Jeb Dunnuck
Lush with notes of dusty earth, the deep ruby-colored 2021 Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard is rosy and pure, with wild raspberry liqueur, anise, and orange. Medium-bodied with a focused feel, while retaining ripe red fruit, it offers fine tannins and fresh acidity throughout. It has a bit of texture that I think comes from stem tannins, but they’re ripe and well-integrated. It’s going to benefit from a few more years of bottle age.
94 Points Vinous
The 2021 Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard opens with a dusty bouquet of rich autumnal spices, hints of ginger and crushed raspberry. This sweeps across the palate with a wave of ripe wild berries guided by zesty acidity, taking on a distinct savoriness toward the close. Hints of blood orange and bitter dark chocolate linger long as the 2021 tapers off with youthful tension and a layer of grippy tannins that frame the experience beautifully. The Jessie is the most wildly appealing of the Cristom single vineyards, presenting a little of something for everyone.
Winemaker Notes
Aromatically the wine has notes of red berry fruits, Chinese five-spice, dried flowers, and damp topsoil. On the palate, it is juicy with a combination of ripened of black and red fruits, warm spices, rose petals, and youthful tannins.
