2017 Jessie Vineyard Pinot Noir
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The Jessie Vineyard, named for winegrower-owner Tom Gerrie’s great-grandmother Jessie Summers, was established in 1994 after the Gerrie family saw great potential in planting a steep, east-facing hillside to a variety of Pinot Noir clones: Dijon (113, 114, 115, 667, 777) and Pommard. Ranging in elevation from 320 ft to 550 ft (98 m to 168 m), this 11.53-acre (4.67-ha) site is one of the steepest in Oregon. Jessie is planted at a high density of 2,311 vines per acre (5,710 vines/ha). Biodynamic farming (not certified). 51% whole clusters of hand-harvested and hand-sorted fruit. 100% ambient-yeast fermentations. 1–3 punchdowns daily in 1- to 5-ton open-top fermenters. Moved to barrel by gravity. Undergoes full malolactic conversion in barrel. Fined with egg whites, unfiltered. 18 months in French oak, 53% new. TA 5.4 g/l, pH 3.71. Mid to light ruby red. Rich and sweetly aromatic but not as sweet-smelling as many Californian Pinots, this has a more tangy red-fruitedness as well as plenty of oak spice, which adds its own sweetness. Gently earthy. On the palate, generous, mouth-filling and full of fruit. Just enough freshness to balance that generosity and just a touch of heat at the back of the throat. The tannins are smooth, rounded but with some firmness, giving the impression of good ageing potential even if you could drink this now at the table. Again, the freshness of the whole-bunch component was more obvious on the day after opening. Overall a rich yet savoury style. (JH)
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Average Score
Julia Harding MW, jancisrobinson.com
James Suckling
More reviews and scores
The 2017 Pinot Noir Jessie Vineyard was made with 51% whole clusters and aged 18 months in 53% new French oak. It has a medium ruby color with scents of tar, crushed black cherries, black currants, cured meats, peppercorn, licorice, earth and potpourri. The palate is medium-bodied, silky, intense and layered with a long, nuanced finish. This is a more serious style and will benefit from another couple of years in bottle. 917 cases produced.
Bright red. Intense black raspberry, cherry, exotic spice and floral pastille scents are given depth by building cola and licorice notes. Offers palate-staining red and dark berry flavors that show excellent clarity and energy thanks to a spine of smoky minerality. Expands steadily with air and picks up a smoky quality that carries through an impressively long, dark berry -driven finish.
A very distinctive nose with a wild array of red berries and cherries and a thread of blue fruit, too. Thereâs a dried wild-rose perfume and a violet-like thread with subtle, herbal-based notes. Itâs a moving target in the glass with incredible complexity. This has a gift of revelation. The palate has a very assertive edge with a powerful core of intense tannins that carry a spicy thread of rich dark cherries and dark plums in a defined, savory and athletic stance. A star of the vintage. Drink over the next decade or more.