J. Christopher 2015 Pinot Noir, Volcanique, Dundee Hills, Oregon

J. Christopher Wines was started in 1996 and all of the wines are handcrafted in small lots, with fruit sourced from some of the best vineyards in Oregon. Specializing in Willamette's jewel, Pinot Noir they make it in the traditional Burgundy style. In 2010 a partnership with renowned German winemaker Dr. Ernst Loosen brought invaluable Old World winemaking experience. This new, limited Volcanique bottling is sourced from favorite volcanic soil vineyards in the Dundee Hills AVA. Home to the first Pinot Noir vines ever planted in Oregon, the Dundee Hills are iconic and established the Willamette Valley as a serious wine region. The deep, well-drained, volcanic Jory clay soil gives beautifully savory wines with purity and a finely focused structure. From what was another near-perfect vintage in Oregon, the grapes for this 2015 Volcanique were 100% destemmed and underwent native yeast fermentation. The wine aged 19 months in French oak barrels, 25% new and the wine was bottled with no fining or filtration. The Wine Spectator scored this 93 points saying "Expressive raspberry, orange peel and violet aromas open to refined cherry and black tea flavors that take on structure and richness toward polished tannins. Drink now through 2025."