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Red dry
Cristom Estate Syrah, Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon 2009 is an elegant, cool-climate Syrah from Oregon, sourced from a very small estate vineyard located next to the winery. The 2009 vintage delivers ripe black berry fruit, pepper, and smoky notes, supported by firm yet finely grained tannins. Fermented with a significant proportion of whole clusters (around 50%), the wine shows depth of structure and a distinctive savory, spicy character.
The vineyard parcel is very small (approximately 0.5 ha / 1.25 acres), planted in 2001. Four different Syrah clones are harvested and vinified separately, then blended. Cristom was among the first producers to bottle estate-grown Syrah in the Willamette Valley, with their inaugural release in 2003.
Today, after roughly 16 years of bottle age, the 2009 vintage typically shows more tertiary aromas, including leather, cured meat and smoke, olives, pepper, and dried berries—an expected and natural evolution for this style of Syrah.
Syrah remains a rare category in the Willamette Valley. While Cristom is best known for Pinot Noir, this small Syrah vineyard consistently expresses a cool-climate profile with clear Northern Rhône influences: pepper, savory depth, and freshness-driven structure.
Serve at 16–18 °C. Pairs well with duck (especially confit or duck breast with berry sauce), slow-roasted beef or lamb, mushroom-based dishes, herb-seasoned sausages, and hard cheeses.
"Cristom Vineyards," located in the Willamette Valley, Oregon, was established in 1992 by the Gerrie family. Their goal was to create exceptional wines that reflect unique growing sites, using old-world technologies and combining biodynamic and organic farming methods. The farm's philosophy is based on traditional methods: careful site selection, low yields, whole cluster fermentation, and native yeasts. "Cristom" aims to produce balanced, dynamic, intense, firmly structured, and long-lived wines. The "Cristom" brand was created by artist Timothy Tyler, and the name "Cristom" is a combination of the names of Gerrie's two children, Christine and Tom. "Cristom" wines are the product of many uniquely determined individual lives and interpretations of the land, craftsmanship, values, and principles carefully nurtured over time.
Wine Style
"Cristom Vineyards" wines are characterized by a distinctive character that reflects the uniqueness of the Willamette Valley terroir. They are elegant, harmonious, and complex, suitable for both youth and maturity.
Prestigious Vineyards
"Cristom Vineyards" owns several prestigious vineyards in the Willamette Valley, which are renowned for their unique growing conditions:
These prestigious vineyards are complemented by other, lesser-known but equally valuable plots where 'Pinot Noir' and 'Chardonnay' grapes are grown.
Maturation and Consumption Recommendations
The qualities of "Cristom Vineyards" wines allow them to be enjoyed at various stages of life. Due to their smooth tannins and refreshing acidity, they are perfect for tasting while still young, but they also acquire additional nuances of aroma and texture over time. 'Pinot Noir' wines, in particular, are known for their ability to develop in the bottle, so longer aging can reveal even more of their subtle qualities.
