2003 Cristom Pinot Noir Reserve

($35) Light red with a bright rim. Fresh strawberry- and raspberry-scented nose with a note of espresso. Quite firm in structure, with youthful red berry flavors and building notes of dark chocolate and sweet tobacco. Finishes on a note of charry oak. This needs a bit of time to flesh out in bottle, but its strength of material bodes well for future development.

Author: Josh Raynolds

Issue: May/June 2006