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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 is one of the most distinctive names in the Willamette Valley, where respect for nature, classical winemaking philosophy, and a long-term vision come together in perfect balance. Founded in 1992 in Oregon, the estate is located in a region now regarded as one of the world’s finest for Pinot Noir and cool-climate wines.
Here, vineyards are treated as living ecosystems, each with its own microclimate, soil structure, and natural rhythm. From the very beginning, Cristom embraced an organic and biodynamic approach, avoiding aggressive intervention and allowing nature to guide the process. Low yields, meticulous handwork, and careful selection result in wines that clearly express their sense of place.
The winemaking style is rooted in Old World traditions. Fermentation often takes place with native yeasts, whole clusters are used when appropriate, and technology is applied only when necessary to preserve quality. This philosophy produces wines that are alive, expressive, and authentic, rather than polished or formulaic.
Cristom’s greatest pride is its Pinot Noir. These wines combine elegance, structure, and emotional depth. They are never heavy or overripe, but instead refined and layered, with vibrant acidity and a long, graceful finish. Equally important are the estate’s Chardonnays, known for their minerality, freshness, and restrained use of oak.
While Cristom wines are highly enjoyable in their youth, their true potential unfolds with time. They are among the few Oregon wines celebrated for their aging ability and graceful evolution, revealing increasing complexity and harmony over the years.
Today, Cristom Vineyards stands as one of the benchmark producers of the Willamette Valley — a winery that successfully unites European tradition, New World precision, and authentic terroir expression.
