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J. Christopher
www.jchristopherwines.com
Map location of J. Christopher
Andy Pates and Jay Somers
Andy Pates and Jay Somers
Country of Origin: USA
Location: Willamette Valley
People: Jay & Ronda Somers, Owners | Jay Somers, Winemaker


J. Christopher Wines is a small winery located on Chehalem Mountain in Oregon's Northern Willamette Valley. Their wines are handcrafted in small lots and are sourced from some of the best vineyards in Oregon.

Vineyards in this appellation that Jay works with include Clos Electrique, Charlie's, Pavillon and Abbey Ridge. Jay is also a member of The Deep Roots Coalition (DRC) which is a rebellious organization composed of the Willamette Valley's most respected winemakers and vineyard owners. The members are Beaux Freres, Brick House, Cameron, Evesham Wood, J. Christopher, Patricia Green and Thomas. These wineries share a vision regarding viticulture, winemaking and long-term viability of Oregon wine. They feel that vineyards must be dry-farmed. And it is the non-irrigated vines that work hardest to produce fruit that maximizes the true terroir. With fruit sources and skill that rival the best of Oregon, Jay Somers is a winemaker to watch. We get a teeny bit of his small production. Do yourself a favor and get on the "Jay train," because it's going to be leaving the allocation station soon.

J. Christopher wines are vegetarian. No egg or fish-products are used."Following international internships and five years with John Paul at Cameron, reflective and experimental-minded Jay Somers founded J. Christopher wines in 1996 with conviction in the principles of biodynamic farming and what he calls “Old World” stylistic sensibility. Meeting a deep-pocketed, multi-talented soul mate and commercial partner in Ernst Loosen of the eponymous Mosel estate, Somers now finds himself in the enviable position of presiding over a newly-constructed and superbly-equipped winery surrounded by a newly-planted former pasture dubbed Appassionata Vineyard (mixed volcanic and sedimentary) whose aspect and proximity to some of Newberg’s best sites (including David Adelsheim’s founding vineyard, not to mention the cluster a mile west on Calkins Lane) can’t help but fire even a jaded wine lover’s imagination; and the wines – given their vibrant style and on the whole extremely reasonable prices – can’t help but stimulate an appetite of more than one sort. Among many unique aspects of J. Christopher is a passion and ambition for Sauvignon Blanc, which Somers and Loosen have backed-up by planting three acres of their home vineyard’s 20 acres with that cepage, the rest being Pinot Noir including – unsurprisingly, given Loosen’s international experience and Somers’ at Cameron – highly, dare I say “colorfully,” diverse vine material including heirloom selections of both Californian and Oregonian origin. Pinot is destemmed – though future deviations from that norm are envisioned – and ferments spontaneously 'which at our ambient temperatures,' notes Somers, 'can take anywhere from 5-10 days.' Extraction is solely via punch-downs and the wine is pressed within a couple of days of reaching dryness; then minimally settled before going to barrel, 25% new. In the newly-dug and exceedingly cold caves, malo is taking place on a Burgundian schedule; in fact, had only recently started when I visited in early June. On occasion (such as in 2009, but not 2010) acid will be added. Alcohol is naturally around 13% on the 2010s and 'even in 2009,' Somers claims that without adjusting most lots 'we managed to keep everything under 14%, which was astonishing.' I tasted all of the 2010 Pinots here (save for the generic) as definitive blends shortly ahead of bottling." - Wine Advocate 2012

Rated Top 100 American Wineries of the Year by Wine & Spirits 11/30/2013

Media Links
VIDEO: Vine Stories - J. Christopher Wines

Social Media
Twitter:@JChrisWines
J. Christopher Facebook
Items
J. Christopher 2012 'Lunatique' Chardonnay, Willamette Valley Net Price — —
J. Christopher 2011 'Uber' Sauvignon Blanc, Croft Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills Net Price Reviews —
J. Christopher 2012 Sauvignon Blanc, Willamette Valley Net Price — —
J. Christopher 2013 Sauvignon Blanc, Willamette Valley Net Price — —
J. Christopher 2007 'Appassionata' Pinot Noir (w/ Dr.Loosen), Dundee Hills Net Price Reviews —
J. Christopher 2011 'La Mer' Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton Net Price Reviews —
J. Christopher 2011 'Lumiere' Pinot Noir, Eola Amity Hills Net Price Reviews —
J. Christopher 2010 'Nuages' Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains Net Price Reviews —
J. Christopher 2011 'Nuages' Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains Net Price Reviews —
J. Christopher 2010 'Sandra Adele' Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills Net Price Reviews —
J. Christopher 2011 Pinot Noir Cuvée, Dundee Hills Net Price Reviews —
J. Christopher 2010 Pinot Noir, Lia's Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains Net Price Reviews —
J. Christopher 2010 Pinot Noir, Olenik Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains Net Price Reviews —
J. Christopher 2011 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley Net Price Reviews —
Reviews
J. Christopher 2007 'Appassionata' Pinot Noir (w/ Dr.Loosen), Dundee Hills
Rating: 93

Bright red. A highly perfumed bouquet displays fresh strawberry, potpourri, vanilla and smoky herbs. Spicy red and dark berry flavors show excellent focus and gain energy in the glass. Blood orange and spicecake flavors build with air and carry through a long, sappy and penetrating finish that betrays just a hint of tannins. Fully mature and utterly delicious but has the balance to age further.

- International Wine Cellar (8/1/2013)

J. Christopher 2007 'Appassionata' Pinot Noir (w/ Dr.Loosen), Dundee Hills
Rating: 94

(Editors' Choice) Dense and extracted, this dark, loamy Pinot Noir is concentrated and challenging. The fruit is black, compact and sheathed in flavors of loam. Layers are tight and a bit unyielding. There is depth and power here, but it must be extracted over time and with a bit of patience.

- The Wine Enthusiast (7/1/2013)

J. Christopher 2007 'Appassionata' Pinot Noir (w/ Dr.Loosen), Dundee Hills
Rating: 91

J. Christopher 2007 Pinot Noir Appassionata represents the first, 150-case lot of what proprietors Jay Somers and Ernst Loosen intend will always be released only when they feel it is drinking especially expressively. This year – a challenging one in which to inaugurate a flagship bottling – it came from Bella Vide and Abbey Ridge vineyards. The mingling of game and resinous herbs with lightly-cooked red fruits puts me a bit in mind of the South of France, even if there is certainly admirable buoyancy on exhibit. Low-toned fungal and forest floor suggestions offer more Pinot-typical themes, and faintly grainy tannins add a faint and attractive sense of chew to a finish still possessed of ample primary juiciness. I could well imagine this being worth following for several more years, though there is a faintly nutty, smoky whiff of oxidative development about it, and I expect that its tannins will easily outlast the rest of its features. The team has already decided, incidentally, that there will be no 2010 version of this cuvee; and since they subsequently elected to assign its protected name to their new estate vineyard – which wasn’t yet dreamed of when the two hatched the idea for this joint cuvee – future installments of the latter might well acquire a different label designation.

- The Wine Advocate (8/31/2012)

J. Christopher 2010 'Nuages' Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains
Rating: 91

Vivid ruby-red. Spicy, smoke-accented aromas of cherry pit, black raspberry and dried rose. Chewy and penetrating, offering subtly sweet dark fruit flavors that pick up notes of bitter chocolate and succulent herbs with air. Lingers impressively on the finish, with fine-grained tannins and a suave floral pastille quality.

- International Wine Cellar (8/1/2013)

J. Christopher 2010 'Nuages' Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains
Rating: 88

A blend of grapes from several vineyards, this is named for a famous jazz tune. The blending both softens and expands the mid-palate and seems to have boosted the aging curve. It's ready to drink with strawberry fruit, a dusting of cocoa, a hint of wet cement and a finish with cola and sassafras.

- The Wine Enthusiast (7/1/2013)

J. Christopher 2010 'Nuages' Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains
Rating: (90-91)

Sourced from the nearby and comparatively warm Adams, Lia’s and Olenik Vineyards; and named by its author and avid guitarist for Django Reinhardt’s eponymous tune rather than directly for any Willamette cloud formations, the J. Christopher 2010 Pinot Noir Chehalem Mountains Nuages mingles plum paste with beef blood, suffused with granular though fine-grained tannins and accented with cinnamon and tamarind, and possesses what’s turning out to be something of a house-typical smoky overtone all reinforcing an analogy to Cornas that breaks down only when it comes to this wine’s buoyant palate impression. Crushed stone, fruit pit, and vanilla inform the prolonged, bittersweet finish. This ought to be worth following for half a dozen or so years.

- The Wine Advocate (8/1/2012)

J. Christopher 2010 'Sandra Adele' Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills
Rating: 91

Vivid ruby. Smoky dark berries, licorice and succulent herb aromas pick up spiciness and a touch of minerality with air. Plush and expansive but energetic, offering sweet blackberry and cherry flavors and a hint of bitter chocolate. The smoky note comes back strong on the youthfully tannic, vanilla-tinged finish, which lingers with appealing spiciness and tenacity.

- International Wine Cellar (8/1/2013)

J. Christopher 2010 'Sandra Adele' Pinot Noir, Dundee Hills
Rating: 89

Flavors of cola and black cherry mingle seamlessly in a forward, lightly floral wine. It has less power and muscle than many Dundee Hills Pinots, but that's not to criticize; the fruit is excellent, and the wine has both texture and balance.

- The Wine Enthusiast (7/1/2013)

J. Christopher 2010 Pinot Noir, Lia's Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains
Rating: 92

Bright red. Deeply pitched cherry-cola and blackberry scents are enlivened by zesty mineral and floral pastille nuances. Smoky dark berry flavors show impressive intensity and lift on the palate, with notes of cocoa powder and licorice sneaking up with aeration. Closes sweet and long, with resonating spiciness and a sexy rose note.

- International Wine Cellar (8/1/2013)

J. Christopher 2010 Pinot Noir, Lia's Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains
Rating: 91

The first impression is of strawberry preserves, not jammy but with the texture and loose-knit fruit flavor of a fruit spread. Behind it are lip-licking veins of licorice and cola, finishing with dusty tannins. Chehalem dust? Don't rule it out.

- The Wine Enthusiast (7/1/2013)

J. Christopher 2010 Pinot Noir, Lia's Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains
Rating: 91

Dark fruit - plum and black cherry - leads into a lush Pinot Noir with plenty of caramelly oak. The texture is plush, finishing with foresty tannins and an enlivening mineral accent that suggests it has the stuffing to cellar, or to match a leg of lamb.

- Wine & Spirits (4/1/2013)

J. Christopher 2010 Pinot Noir, Lia's Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains
Rating: (91-92+)

This has a sensually seductive and intriguing decade or more ahead of it. Jay Somers’ hundred cases of 2010 Pinot Noir Lia’s Vineyard exhibits a blue fruited richness and tinges of bay laurel and smoky black tea reminiscent of the wine he calls “its counterpart,” the Abby Ridge. But here a hauntingly bittersweet, gentian-like floral perfume emerges, and the bitter dark chocolate noted in some of the other J. Christopher 2010s wells-up in the finish to reinforce the impression of richness. Powder-fine tannins, glycerol-rich slickness, and an admirable retention of primary berry juiciness inform this expansive yet shapely beauty, with hints of marzipan and brown spice adding allure to a sustained finish.

- The Wine Advocate (8/1/2012)

J. Christopher 2010 Pinot Noir, Olenik Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains
Rating: 90

Vivid ruby-red. Powerful cherry and dark berry aromas are enlivened by a peppery, spicy nuance. Pliant, palate-coating black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors show very good depth and pick up a smoky quality with air. Closes with chewy texture and a refreshingly bitter note, highlighting youthful tannins and a late hint of licorice.

- International Wine Cellar (8/1/2013)

J. Christopher 2010 Pinot Noir, Olenik Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains
Rating: 90

Tightly-defined raspberry fruit with sharp and vivid acidity against a backdrop of wet rock, characterizes this young Pinot Noir. The brightness and delicate definition suggests that there are unseen layers of flavor lurking beneath the youthful shell.

- The Wine Enthusiast (7/1/2013)

J. Christopher 2010 Pinot Noir, Olenik Vineyard, Chehalem Mountains
Rating: (89-90+)

At around 20 years of age, the vines in this superbly-situated site (formerly part of Rex Hill’s Jacob-Hart Vineyard, renamed by now owner-farmer Todd Hansen for his little girl) count as relatively old by local standards, and Somers considers himself especially lucky to be able to get their fruit. A J. Christopher 2010 Pinot Noir Olenik Vineyard derives from the first site harvested for them in this and most years, and one whose mingling of sedimentary with basalt-based clay might also help account for the combination of very ripe, jellied dark berry fruit with powerful if reasonably fine-grained tannins. As Somers notes, this could easily be mistaken for a 2009 vintage wine (and at 13.6% alcohol is notably higher than any other J. Christopher 2010). Smoky and torrefied notes follow through a persistent finish. I’d want to reassess this before venturing a prognostication about its future evolution.

- The Wine Advocate (8/1/2012)

J. Christopher 2011 'La Mer' Pinot Noir, Yamhill-Carlton
Rating: 91

An inaugural cuvee of merely 124 cases, the J. Christopher’s 2011 Pinot Noir Yamhill-Carlton La Mer originated in a single site adjacent to Belle Pente and represents, says Somers, an example of especially restrained working of the cap to avoid excess tannin and enhance aromatic refinement. It seems to have succeeded! A lovely nose mingles smoky black tea and bergamot in an Earl Gray way, accompanied by scents and luscious juiciness of cherry and red currant. What little tannin one detects here is ultra-fine, for an impression of polish to compliment that of vivacity. A lentil sprout-like piquantly nutty and subtly vegetal note adds to the stimulation, and subtle salinity to the saliva-inducement of a long and genuinely refreshing finish. This should delight and intrigue through at least 2018.

- The Wine Advocate (10/31/2013)

J. Christopher 2011 'Lumiere' Pinot Noir, Eola Amity Hills
Rating: 89

This Pinot Noir offers zippy acidity and floral hints of roses and violets. The bright raspberry flavors are set in a delicate frame of one-quarter new French oak.

- The Wine Enthusiast (2/1/2014)

J. Christopher 2011 'Lumiere' Pinot Noir, Eola Amity Hills
Rating: 91

Sourced principally from Dubay and Three Angels vineyards in the Walnut Hills, and representing – at 756 cases – a steep ramping-up in quantity from last year’s inaugural rendition, J. Christopher’s 2011 Pinot Noir Eola-Amity Hills Lumiere is gorgeously scented with violet, cassis, and allspice. Intimations of wet stone gain prominence on the sappy dark berry-filled and palpably extract-rich – even broad-shouldered – palate. Notwithstanding its name, this is the metaphorically darkest of the present collection, and the most obviously structured. The finish – incorporating iodine, smoky black tea, and brown spices – is at once broad and gripping, while retaining the sort of energy and abundant primary juiciness that one expects from 2011. I imagine it showing well through at least 2018.

- The Wine Advocate (10/31/2013)

J. Christopher 2011 'Nuages' Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains
Rating: 88

The name comes from a Django tune and also means "clouds" in French. Nothing cloudy here though. It's pretty, lively, fruit-driven blend with cherry candy flavors. Crisp and fresh, a streak of cola runs comet-like through the tail, along with a hint of mint.

- The Wine Enthusiast (2/1/2014)

J. Christopher 2011 'Nuages' Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains
Rating: 91

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.

- The Wine Advocate (10/31/2013)

J. Christopher 2011 'Uber' Sauvignon Blanc, Croft Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills
Rating: 91

(Editors' Choice) This is pure Sauvignon Blanc, fermented in acacia barrels. Intense and grassy with a deep splash of citrus and a long, tangy finish. A Sauv Blanc for those who love the grape in its most dense and unadorned expression.

- The Wine Enthusiast (7/1/2013)

J. Christopher 2011 'Uber' Sauvignon Blanc, Croft Vineyard, Eola-Amity Hills
Rating: (88-89)

As if his other two cuvees from this grape weren’t audacious enough, Somers was due to bottle soon after my June visit, something ominously dubbed 2011 Uber Sauvignon Croft Vineyard. In fact, this is an intriguingly delicious experiment vinified with a specific yeast culture in a thousand liter Acacia cask. Considerably more fat and buffering has thus been brought to bear on the vintage’s aggressive material, along with sweet woody scents that nicely compliment the passion fruit, high-toned green herbs, and apple. A lime-like citricity supplies a more mouthwatering and less provocative but equally invigorating sense of acidity in a lingering finish. This should be fun to follow for at least a year or two, perhaps even longer.

- The Wine Advocate (8/1/2012)

J. Christopher 2011 Pinot Noir Cuvée, Dundee Hills
Rating: 90

The J. Christopher 2011 Pinot Noir Dundee Hills Cuvee unites fruit from, most prominently, Bella Vide, Baptista Maresh, Le Pavillon, and Abby Ridge, being as such a reflection of the prime Worden Hill Road stretch. There are a thousand cases, three times what there were of the previous vintage, marking this bottling as – along with the generic Willamette cuvee – the core of the J. Christopher program. Almost stridently bright in its evocation of sour cherry, red currant and rhubarb, this is strongly shadowed by high-toned kirsch distillate, lemon oil and sealing wax. An undertone of dried blood and iron-rich tonic of some sort seems to mysteriously creep in here as well. And amazingly, there is a fine sense of textural richness running parallel to all of the energy and tart acidity on display, and a finish of impressive, penetrating persistence as well as sheer refreshment. “I tried out a lot of blends, and tasted the wines for hours and hours each time, trying to get this a bit more forward and approachable,” says Somers. “But I kept coming back to this (blend). And for me this is what Dundee was in 2011, and the whole purpose of my A.V.A. series of wines is to capture the A.V.A. in that vintage.” I suspect this will prove deliciously versatile through 2018 if not beyond.

- The Wine Advocate (10/31/2013)

J. Christopher 2011 Pinot Noir, Willamette Valley
Rating: 88

This blends together grapes from several vineyard sites in three AVAs. It opens with a bouquet of milk chocolate and mocha, leading to a tart cranberry flavor. There are hints of herb and bark in the finish. This is designed (successfully_ as a fruit-driven, drink-now style of Oregon Pinot.

- The Wine Enthusiast (2/1/2014)