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J. Christopher 2011 'Nuages' Pinot Noir, Chehalem Mountains

Item Number: 6901

UPC: 0183103000884

Country: USA
Region: Oregon Sub Region: Willamette Valley
Appellation/AVA: Chehalem Mountains
Vintage: 2011
Grape(s): 100% Pinot Noir
Type: Wine - Red
Bottle Size: 750ml Pack: 12
Closure: Cork
Alc by Vol(%): 13
Soil Type: Volcanic and marine sediment
Case Production: 640


Named in tribute to one of winemaker Jay’s favorite gypsy jazz tunes, the 'Nuages' Pinot Noir is a selection of barrels from the Chehalem Mountains AVA. Nuages (French for “clouds”) also pays homage to the moderating influence of Oregon’s autumn cloud cover, which slows ripening to allow for the long hang time that creates fully developed flavors.

Vineyard Sources: Adams Vineyard, Lia's Vineyard, Olenik Vineyard
Pinot Noir Clones: Pommard, Wadensvil, 115
Age of Vines: 13 to 21 years old
Vineyard Management: Sustainable; dry farmed

Vinification: 100% destemmed; 2.5 ton fermenters; native yeast; unforced malolactic fermentation; maturation for 20 months in barrel (25% new, 25% one-year, 25% two-year, 25% three-year)

Reviews
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)