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J. Christopher Pinot Noir Nuages 2011 750ml

size
750ml
country
United States
region
Oregon
appellation
Willamette Valley
subappellation
Chehalem Mountains
WA
91
VM
91
Additional vintages
2014 2012 2011
WA
91
Rated 91 by Wine Advocate
Sourced, as it was last year, from Adams, Lia’s and Olenik Vineyards – all adjacent to J. Christopher’s facilities, and reflecting their straddling of the volcanic-sedimentary soil interface as well their relative warmth – the 2011 Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains Nuages delivers pungent blond tobacco and fresh ginger in the nose as well as on a bright but silken palate, inflecting fresh, succulent cherry and purple plum, and underlain by both suggestions of chalk and a mouthwatering evocation of marrow-rich beef stock. In Burgundian terms, I imagine this as a Morey-St.-Denis, halfway between Chambolle’s high-toned, spicy brightness and the deep cherry and meatiness of Gevrey. Interestingly, while he agonized over the corresponding Dundee Hills bottling, Somers says one blending session and this Nuages was definitively done. This will likely continue to delight through at least 2018. ... More details
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J. Christopher Pinot Noir Nuages 2011 750ml

SKU 758175
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$51.89
/750ml bottle
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Professional Ratings
WA
91
VM
91
WA
91
Rated 91 by Wine Advocate
Sourced, as it was last year, from Adams, Lia’s and Olenik Vineyards – all adjacent to J. Christopher’s facilities, and reflecting their straddling of the volcanic-sedimentary soil interface as well their relative warmth – the 2011 Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains Nuages delivers pungent blond tobacco and fresh ginger in the nose as well as on a bright but silken palate, inflecting fresh, succulent cherry and purple plum, and underlain by both suggestions of chalk and a mouthwatering evocation of marrow-rich beef stock. In Burgundian terms, I imagine this as a Morey-St.-Denis, halfway between Chambolle’s high-toned, spicy brightness and the deep cherry and meatiness of Gevrey. Interestingly, while he agonized over the corresponding Dundee Hills bottling, Somers says one blending session and this Nuages was definitively done. This will likely continue to delight through at least 2018.
VM
91
Rated 91 by Vinous Media
Bright red. Spicy redcurrant and cherry on the nose, with subtle mineral, vanilla and rose pastille qualities adding complexity. Energetic red fruit, mocha and spicecake flavors show very good clarity and lift thanks to tangy acidity. Musky herb and anise qualities come up on the long, gripping finish, with the cherry and mocha notes echoing.
Product Details
size
750ml
country
United States
region
Oregon
appellation
Willamette Valley
subappellation
Chehalem Mountains
Additional vintages
2014 2012 2011
Overview
Bright red. Spicy redcurrant and cherry on the nose, with subtle mineral, vanilla and rose pastille qualities adding complexity. Energetic red fruit, mocha and spicecake flavors show very good clarity and lift thanks to tangy acidity. Musky herb and anise qualities come up on the long, gripping finish, with the cherry and mocha notes echoing.
barrel

Vintage: 2011

The year 2011 was an interesting year for many northern and central European countries, as the weather was more than unpredictable in the spring and summer. However, in most countries, the climatic conditions thankfully settled down in the late summer and fall. The result of this slightly difficult year of weather in France was a set of surprisingly small yields, but overall, these yields were of a higher quality than those harvested in certain previous years. A fantastic set of wines was also made in Italy and Spain, and the Rioja wines - when released - are set to be very good indeed. Austria also had superb year in 2011, with almost fifty percent more grapes being grown and used for their distinctive Gruner Veltliner wines than in the year before. Possibly the European country which had the finest 2011, though, was Portugal, with wineries in the Douro region claiming this year to be one of the best in decades for the production of Port wine, and the bright, young Vinho Verdes wines. In the New World, the Pacific Northwest saw some of the best weather of 2011, and Washington State and Oregon reportedly had a highly successful year, especially for the cultivation of high quality red wine grapes. Chile and Argentina had a relatively cool year, which certainly helped retain the character of many of their key grape varietals, and should make for some exciting drinking. South Africa had especially good weather for their white wine grape varietals, particularly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and many South African wineries are reporting 2011 as one of their best years in recent memory.
green grapes

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world's most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means 'black pine' in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.
barrel

Region: Oregon

The Oregon wine industry is continuing to go from strength to strength, with many of their Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir wines winning important international awards in recent years. Oregon has also become renowned as an important region for the production of organic and biodynamic wines, demonstrating the fact that the wineries which are dotted across the diverse regions of the state are keen to experiment with their methods and techniques. A wide range of grape varietals flourish in Oregon, including an impressive array of Old World classic grapes alongside American hybrid varietals. This, coupled with the cooler climate and the mix of traditional and excitingly modern wine production methods makes Oregon a fascinating region for wine lovers, particularly those looking for something unique and utterly delicious.
fields

Country: United States

Whilst there are several strains of native grape varietals in the United States, it was the introduction of the European species which prompted the country to begin producing wines on a large scale. Over the past few centuries, experimentation and cross-breeding has produced great successes in regards to the quality and suitability of the fruit grown in states such as California, Oregon, Washington and New York, and the past few decades have seen New World wines from the United States reach much higher standards. Arguably the finest United States wines have always come out of California, where the climate and terrroir is most suitable for fine wine production. The masterful blending of classic grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, amongst others including Syrah and Chardonnay, have had world beating results in recent years, prompting many to suggest that there has never been a better time for buying and drinking United States wines.
bottle and glass

Appellation: Willamette Valley

Oregon is a fascinating state when it comes to United States' wines. Although not as famous as nearby California, Oregon has been consistently lauded for its dedication to quality, experimentation and innovation over recent decades, helping it establish a powerful wine industry with a great reputation. Within Oregon, we find the beautiful wine region of Willamette Valley, a lush a fertile region most commonly associated with the production of high quality Pinot Noir grapes, which are internationally recognized as being responsible for many of the New World's finest red wines. Whilst the Pinot Noir grape is the most commonly grown across the region, the climatic conditions and soil types in Willamette Valley make it an ideal location for the cultivation of many different varietals, making it a very interesting area to explore through wine.
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barrel

Vintage: 2011

The year 2011 was an interesting year for many northern and central European countries, as the weather was more than unpredictable in the spring and summer. However, in most countries, the climatic conditions thankfully settled down in the late summer and fall. The result of this slightly difficult year of weather in France was a set of surprisingly small yields, but overall, these yields were of a higher quality than those harvested in certain previous years. A fantastic set of wines was also made in Italy and Spain, and the Rioja wines - when released - are set to be very good indeed. Austria also had superb year in 2011, with almost fifty percent more grapes being grown and used for their distinctive Gruner Veltliner wines than in the year before. Possibly the European country which had the finest 2011, though, was Portugal, with wineries in the Douro region claiming this year to be one of the best in decades for the production of Port wine, and the bright, young Vinho Verdes wines. In the New World, the Pacific Northwest saw some of the best weather of 2011, and Washington State and Oregon reportedly had a highly successful year, especially for the cultivation of high quality red wine grapes. Chile and Argentina had a relatively cool year, which certainly helped retain the character of many of their key grape varietals, and should make for some exciting drinking. South Africa had especially good weather for their white wine grape varietals, particularly Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, and many South African wineries are reporting 2011 as one of their best years in recent memory.
green grapes

Varietal: Pinot Noir

Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world's most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means 'black pine' in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.
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Region: Oregon

The Oregon wine industry is continuing to go from strength to strength, with many of their Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir wines winning important international awards in recent years. Oregon has also become renowned as an important region for the production of organic and biodynamic wines, demonstrating the fact that the wineries which are dotted across the diverse regions of the state are keen to experiment with their methods and techniques. A wide range of grape varietals flourish in Oregon, including an impressive array of Old World classic grapes alongside American hybrid varietals. This, coupled with the cooler climate and the mix of traditional and excitingly modern wine production methods makes Oregon a fascinating region for wine lovers, particularly those looking for something unique and utterly delicious.
fields

Country: United States

Whilst there are several strains of native grape varietals in the United States, it was the introduction of the European species which prompted the country to begin producing wines on a large scale. Over the past few centuries, experimentation and cross-breeding has produced great successes in regards to the quality and suitability of the fruit grown in states such as California, Oregon, Washington and New York, and the past few decades have seen New World wines from the United States reach much higher standards. Arguably the finest United States wines have always come out of California, where the climate and terrroir is most suitable for fine wine production. The masterful blending of classic grape varietals such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, amongst others including Syrah and Chardonnay, have had world beating results in recent years, prompting many to suggest that there has never been a better time for buying and drinking United States wines.
bottle and glass

Appellation: Willamette Valley

Oregon is a fascinating state when it comes to United States' wines. Although not as famous as nearby California, Oregon has been consistently lauded for its dedication to quality, experimentation and innovation over recent decades, helping it establish a powerful wine industry with a great reputation. Within Oregon, we find the beautiful wine region of Willamette Valley, a lush a fertile region most commonly associated with the production of high quality Pinot Noir grapes, which are internationally recognized as being responsible for many of the New World's finest red wines. Whilst the Pinot Noir grape is the most commonly grown across the region, the climatic conditions and soil types in Willamette Valley make it an ideal location for the cultivation of many different varietals, making it a very interesting area to explore through wine.