Oregon – Page 3 – Cristaldi & Co

2022

Maren (Bybee Wine Co)

Octo Pinot Noir

Just like the MAREN White, the label on this OCTO Pinot Noir states that it’s a medium-bodied wine bursting with cherry, blackberry, and cocoa notes—and I’m happy to confirm my tasting aligns with that. Of course, I’ll add a few flourishes: enticing cedarwood notes weave around and beneath the cherry and blackberry fruit, joined by darker forest berries framed by firm, tense tannins. The finish offers a cool, wet-slate minerality and a crunchy apple-skin aftertaste.

Red

2022

Maren (Bybee Wine Co)

Otto Chardonnay

The nice thing about the OTTO Line is that the tasting notes are right there on the label. It’s a medium-bodied wine offering juicy pear, a squeeze of lemon zest, and crushed almonds—at least according to the front label, and I’d agree wholeheartedly, though I’d also add white flowers to the mix. There’s a touch of candied ginger and a wonderfully warm, saline mineral quality. The label also notes that the wine is made from sustainably grown grapes and contains no added sugar, which is perhaps more a nod to consumer misunderstanding—most wines are dry and don’t contain added sugar to begin with, but that’s a whole other conversation for another time.

White

2022

Nicolas-Jay

Momtazi Pinot Noir

A beautifully spicy, structured, earthy expression of a distinct place and time. Deftly balancing savory, dark cherry flavors with pepper and bramble notes, with a palate that is equal parts depth and nuance. This one should stand the test of time. – J.R.

Red

2022

Padigan

Estate Reserve Malbec

This Malbec is savory and muscular, with notes of black cherry, black truffle, and charcuterie layered with pressed wildflowers, dried thyme, and black olive. Medium- to full-bodied, the palate mirrors the aromatics, framed by velvety, fine-grained tannins. Crushed stone minerality anchors the finish, along with a touch of clove and smoky, loamy earth. Aged up to 28 months in 65% new French oak.

Red

2022

Padigan

Estate Reserve Viognier

A deliciously rich Viognier with excellent mid-palate density, offering ripe white and yellow peach, apricot, and lemon oil character. Crisp, mouthwatering acidity provides balance, leading to a long finish marked by pressed wildflowers and almonds. It’s the kind of white you’ll want alongside Dover sole in a caper butter sauce with mashed potatoes.

White

2022

Padigan

Estate Reserve Viognier

Full-bodied and voluptuous, this wine offers generous flavors of ripe apple, pear, and white peach. The palate is expressive and satiny, braced by excellent acid grip and finishing with layers of fruit and pressed wildflowers. Aged for 14 months in oak with native yeasts, including 11 to 12 months on the lees in 80% new French oak.

White

2022

Padigan

Malbec

Fragrant red berry fruit is tinged with bay laurel, spearmint, thyme, and cherry pit. Medium-bodied on the palate, with blood orange acidity and elegant cedarwood notes, complemented by dried fennel, espresso, and a kiss of red licorice. After a short cold soak, the wine was whole-berry fermented with native yeasts, received two punchdowns, then was pressed to tank, settled, and racked to barrel to complete fermentation. Malolactic fermentation followed, and the wine was aged for up to 22 months in 25–35% new French oak. Blending occurred halfway through the aging process.

Red

2022

Padigan

Tempranillo

Leads with paprika, dried thyme, rosemary, and a touch of dried dill, all building into a medium-bodied wine with rich texture and superfine tannins—firm, muscular, yet well integrated. It shows admirable restraint, with balanced acidity and intense red berry fruit driving a long, juicy finish.

Red

2022

Peter William

Peter William Vineyard, "Extravagance" PWV Reserve Red

As the name, ‘Extravagance’ suggests, this is hedonistic and concentrated, especially so for the Rogue Valley; yet restrained at just 14.3% alcohol. Full-bodied with mixed berry compote, blueberry, and warm baking spices, with rich flourless chocolate cake notes, a lavishly bold mid-center, plump and round tannins, and a mouthwatering, juicy, fruit-driven finish marked by subtler mineral nuances, dried herbs, and sweet dates. Love this wine. It hits all the right notes at $42 per bottle and was made by Barrel 42 (Nichole Schulte and Herb Quady). Aged 22 months in 25% new French oak.

Red

2022

Plaisance Ranch

Petite Sirah Papa Joe's Private Stash

A supple, juicy Petite Sirah with expressive notes of rose petal, blackberry, and black cherry, accented by black pepper. Medium-bodied on the palate, with soft plum-like tannins, bright red berry fruit, and baking spices, all wrapped in a salty, saline minerality on the medium-length finish. The tannic muscle of Petite Sirah is nicely tamed here.

Red

2022

Quady North

Mae's Vineyard Syrah

From Mae’s Vineyard—named for Margaux Mae, the owner’s daughter—this is a gorgeous Syrah, bursting with pure red cherry and blueberry fruit, interlaced with rose petal, violet, and a dusting of white pepper. The palate is all satin and silk, energized by tangy blood orange acidity and layered with hints of clove, mountain herbs, and wet stone minerality on a long, saline-acid finish. Simply spectacular.

Red

2022

Ryanrose

Tempranillo

A gentle giant of a Tempranillo. Red-toned fruit, cedarwood, and crushed cacao nibs rise on the nose and carry through the medium-bodied palate, where powerful, burly tannins build toward a towering finish. Give this a good decant and pair it with well-salted ribeyes. From Folin Vineyard, which has been ripped out. Fermented in bins, with twice daily punchdowns and pumpovers, and aged 24 months in 50% new French oak.

Red

2022

Somar

Estate Grown Syrah

The 2022 Syrah from Somar is a vivid, red-fruited expression with blue fruit nuances woven throughout, framed by velvety tannins and supple fruit layered with baking spices, a hint of vanilla, and crushed rock minerality with espresso bean and violet nuances. All too easy to drink.

Red

2022

The Setting Wines

Chehalem Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay

The Chehalem Mountain Vineyard, near the top of the Chehalem Mountain AVA, sits at 400 feet and is planted mostly on volcanic soils. Aged 18 months in 50% new French oak, this is a serious wine that benefits from a little air. It builds in the glass with bright orchard fruit, crisp green-apple skin, and delicate white-floral and warm brown-baking-spice notes. Absolutely pretty, completely crushable, and wonderfully mineral on the lengthy finish.

White

2022

The Setting Wines

Chehalem Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir

The Chehalem Mountain Vineyard, near the top of the Chehalem Mountain AVA, sits at 400 feet and is planted mostly on volcanic soils. No whole cluster here, but plenty of tannin comes from a one-third saignée bleed, which concentrates the skin-to-juice ratio. This wine has a good amount of grip, showcasing the firm tannins that come from grapes grown on this steep hillside. There’s marionberry and crunchy farmers’ market–ripe red fruit, layered with richer volcanic mineral character, lovely caramel and clove-spice notes, and an overall fragrance that’s both sumptuous and inviting.

Red

2022

The Setting Wines

Eola Springs Vineyard Chardonnay

From the Eola Springs Vineyard in Oregon. Aged 18 months in 50% new French oak. This is a very focused, very linear Chardonnay — clean, crisp, and intensely mineral-driven, with a cool wet-river-stone quality and a touch of pulverized chalk. Whispers of lemon and lime citrus mingle with white flowers, subtle almond, fennel blossom, and a hint of anise. Very lovely. Very pristine.

White

2022

The Setting Wines

Eola Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir

From the Eola Springs Vineyard in Oregon. Aged 18 months in 50% new French oak. No whole cluster here, but plenty of tannin comes from a one-third saignée bleed, which concentrates the skin-to-juice ratio. Jesse Katz likes the skin tannin this site delivers, and the technique helps those tannins stick. The wine is vivid, offering crunchy red fruit and conifer notes — that bright pine-forest character that’s so enticing from this area. The spice on the palate is lavish and rich, with smoked paprika and warm brown-baking-spice accents wrapped around ripe cherry fruit. The tannins are smooth and velvety, incredibly rich and flavorful, with a freshness factor that’s hard to beat.

Red

2022

Wanderlust

Viognier

One of the best wines I tasted from Wanderlust, this Viognier shows impressive mid-palate depth and fragrant, flinty minerality. Notes of quince and honeysuckle blossoms unfold gracefully, carrying through to a medium-length finish.

White

2023

Benmar

Above the Clouds Pinot Noir

A darker‑styled Pinot Noir from this producer, the 2023 Above the Clouds from Benmar opens with the juicy richness of black cherry and black raspberry, warmed by cedarwood spice and enlivened by tangerine peel and grapefruit zest. The nose deepens with crushed raspberry, wild cherry and pomegranate, offset by wild herbs, rose petal and forest‑floor. On the palate, sinewy, crisp tannins support a saline‑tinged core that pulses with redcurrant, cranberry and strawberry fruit. Intense minerality and a whisper of black tea anchor the mid‑palate, while the finish drifts into cocoa‑powder, conifer and lingering brine—a hauntingly savory, vibrant expression of high‑elevation Willamette Pinot.

Red

2023

CHEV

Pinot Noir (Oregon)

This is a wonderfully crunchy red- and black-fruited Pinot Noir. That texture carries onto the palate with a velvety, satiny quality, delivering a ripe, juicy, mineral-laced expression layered with dark forest pine, earth, and wet slate. The fruit is weighty yet pure—ripe, clean, and edged with crisp apple-skin tannins. Freshness drives the finish, accented by rich cedarwood and warm baking spices. Clones: Wadenswil, Pommard, 667. Aged 15 months in 38% new French oak, 28% once-used French oak, and 34% neutral French oak.

Red

2023

DANCIN

Adagio Pinot Noir

Native fermented in 1.5-ton macro bins, this 100% Wädenswil 2A clone Pinot Noir was aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak. It’s an expressive and bright Pinot with vibrant blood orange acidity, fragrant cherry and rose petal nuances, and layers of crushed wild herbs. Dusty cocoa powder tannins frame the juicy, long, and spicy finish. Winemaker Chris Jiron believes this late-ripening clone is ideal for the region.

Red

2023

DANCIN

Allongé Chardonnay

Super zesty, with sea spray–infused wild herb minerality and bright straw aromatics. Medium-bodied, it delivers beautiful purity of orchard fruit on a complex mid-palate, with lemony acid tension and crushed almonds on the finish. Bright, energetic, and focused—a tremendous value at this price.

Red

2023

DANCIN

Capriccio Chardonnay

Dijon and Wente clones fermented and aged in neutral French oak barrels for six months. Bright and citrusy, with crunchy acidity and appealing notes of apple and pear. The finish is long, clean, and laced with baking spice—very lovely and beautifully balanced.

Red

2023

DANCIN

Danseur Syrah

Sourced from Crater View Vineyard, just across the street from DANCIN, this Syrah was native fermented in 1.5-ton macro bins and aged for 17 months in 40% new French oak. It’s a beautifully multidimensional wine, showcasing pure blackberry and blue fruit nuances, candied violets, and white pepper. Medium-bodied on the palate with building tannins, exceptional length, and velvet-textured structure, it’s framed by Indian spices and layered with floral intensity on the long, energetic finish. An excellent wine.

Red

2023

DANCIN

Écarte Pinot Noir

Native fermented in 1.5-ton macro bins and aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak, this 100% Pommard clone Pinot Noir is spicy and expressive, with cocoa nib nuances and dusty cherry notes. Medium-bodied on the palate, it delivers juicy cherry and blackberry fruit, pomegranate seeds, and a touch of grapefruit zest. Rose petal florals and a hint of honeysuckle linger on the long finish. The wine has excellent grip and tension, offering both structure and elegance.

Red

2023

DANCIN

En Bas Pinot Noir

Native fermented in 1.5-ton macro bins and aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak, this Dijon 777 Pinot Noir offers cherry and strawberry fruit layered with fragrant Indian spices and sandalwood. Medium-bodied with a long, expressive finish, it’s both aromatic and finely structured.

Red

2023

DANCIN

Melodia Pinot Noir

Sourced from the Oregon State Extension Center in Jacksonville, OR, this Pinot Noir is made from fruit grown to support research efforts. It’s a more rustic expression, offering notes of black tea, black truffle, and candied cherry, with a savory wild herb finish.

Red

2023

DANCIN

Setti Pezzi Pinot Noir

Here’s a clonal soup for the true wine geeks: this Pinot Noir blend brings together Wadenswil 2A, Dijon clones 115, 667, 828, 777, 114, and Pommard, all aged in 30% new French oak. It’s bright and spicy, with red cherry fruit, bold tannins, and notes of underbrush and pine forest. The tannins build through the long finish, gradually softening as blood orange acidity emerges and mingles with elegant cedarwood character and deeper layers of dark cherry fruit.

Red

2023

DANCIN

Trata Pinot Noir

This Dijon 777 Pinot Noir was whole cluster fermented and aged for 10 months in 25% new French oak. Bold, rich, and spicy—yet light on its feet—it delivers black cherry, clove, blood orange, and grapefruit zest. The tannins are ripe and grippy, and the finish reveals crushed stone and wet slate minerality. A fantastically structured Pinot Noir with impressive grip and tension—give it another year or two in bottle and enjoy over the next decade.

Red

2023

Del Rio Vineyard Estate

Estate Grown Viognier

A wonderfully fragrant and balanced Viognier with impressive complexity, excellent weight and density, and layers of expressive orchard and tropical fruit. Notes of honeysuckle and jasmine weave through the profile, making it both beautifully aromatic and effortlessly drinkable.

White

Vintage

Wine

Type

Color

Rating

$

2021

Producer

Name

Such an intriguing wine that really pulls you into the glass with its smoked paprika and cardmom notes, and walnut husk nuances with roasted coffee beans character. Medim bodied with dark loamy earth and dried currant and fig paste framed by soaring, powerful tannins that build on the bone dry finish.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

The 2021 Extravagance almost belies its name—this wine is elegant and focused, with bold, ripe black currant fruit and toasty cedarwood. On the palate, suave tannins frame flavors of chocolate-covered black cherry, leading to a long, satisfying finish. Okay, maybe it is a bit extravagant in flavor—but with balanced alcohol at 13.7%, it’s easy to enjoy the whole bottle.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

One of the nicest Rogue Valley reds I’ve tasted from the ’21 vintage. The site is planted on a hillside near Medford, Oregon. It’s a well-draining, rocky site, with great views. This red is produced by Eric Weisinger (Weisinger Family Winery). It’s refined and elegant, with lovely layers of black cherry and blackberry and spiced plum, with mineral notes of clove, graphite, and smoked paprika. The tannins are gentle, velvety, and inviting and nicely integrated and the finish is long, harmonious with some cherry pie and cocoa powder notes emerging on the fruit-forward finish. Another great release from this winery. ($39). Aged 20 months in 28% new French oak.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

The Lot S is a 50-case production, aged 22 months in 24% new French and American oak (SRP $36). Made by Scott Steingraber (Kriselle Cellars). The Lot S is laced with red currant and plum fruit, crushed cocoa nib nuances, bringing a bit of zesty blood orange, fragrant cherry blossoms, and sweet spices. It’s medium-bodied, with light touch on the palate, and fine tannins that build on the finish.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

The Syrah grapes are destemmed, given 18 days of skin contact with daily punchdowns, then aged 21 months in 50% new French oak. Beautiful Syrah character lifts from the glass, drawing you in with perfumed rose petal and violet notes, along with a black-truffle, vanilla-scented charcuterie nuance that weaves through the dark-berry fruit and spice. The palate is supple and creamy, showing loamy earth and an ironstone mineral character. Powdery, refreshing tannins and layered brown spices carry the finish. Such an enticing Syrah. Sourced entirely from the hillside estate of Peter William Vineyard in the Rogue Valley — a small site planted since 2013 with roughly ten acres under vine.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

Fruit from Peter William Vineyard, entirely destemmed, with 19 days of skin contact and daily punchdowns, then aged 20 months in 50% new French oak. A gorgeous wine with pristine red-berry and cassis fruit, touches of tobacco, well-integrated cedar from the new wood, warm baking spices, and dusty mineral notes. The wine holds a rich, velvety center and finishes with enticing rose-petal perfume, slate-stone minerality, and a refreshing lift that’s so welcoming.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

A full-throttle, bright, and effusive red blend with cranberry, raspberry, and cherry fruit interlaced with clove spice and orange peel. Medium-bodied on the palate, with grainy tannins forming a solid foundation for all that juicy fruit. The tannins build toward a drying finish marked by brown spices and cedarwood.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

Partial whole cluster fermentation, aged 18 months in French oak. Red and blackberry fruit, dusty minerals, and dried cherry lift from the glass. Medium-to-full-bodied with dried figs, red floral notes, and supple tannins, creating a satiny palate expression. Pair with salads loaded with dried fruit or charcuterie-rich pizza.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

This Sangiovese-led red blend delivers heady aromatics of red cherry and rose petal. On the palate, it offers lovely suppleness, with saline-mineral-laced tannins and notes of mocha, black cherry, and espresso bean. It shows good length, balanced tension, and a satisfying, pleasantly lingering finish.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

Farmed by Brian Gruber, the Grenache produces small berries with loose clusters, leading to excellent concentration in 2021. Aged 18 months in French Oak. Two barrels produced. Quite spicy on the nose, filling the senses with sagebrush, cinnamon, and black tea. Great fruit weight with a velvety texture, dark-berry fruit is rich and succulent, and the finish is long, earthy, and enticing.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

The 2021 Grenache is in its perfect drinking window. The bright, ripe red berry fruit has mellowed, giving way to savory notes of tobacco, currant leaf, and currant fruit, layered with expressive bay laurel and juniper. Black tea–like tannins grip the palate, while the juicy currant fruit carries through to a medium-length finish, infused with savory nuance. This is the kind of wine you’ll want to pair with hard, salty cheeses or truffle-infused charcuterie. The Grenache was sourced from the Jackson Vineyard in the middle of the Rogue Valley AVA.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

Fragrant wild herbs and high-toned currant fruit mingle with brandied Morello cherries and a heady dose of candied rose petals. Medium-bodied, with fine-textured tannins and subtle nuances of sagebrush and bay laurel. Drink now with herb-crusted pork loin.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

Planted on alluvial cobblestones and weathered granite in the shadows of the Siskiyou Mountains, these vines lie in the Applegate Valley—part of Southern Oregon’s larger Rogue Valley AVA. Sourced from the Glory Oaks Vineyard, this wine is native yeast fermented and medium-bodied, with a satiny texture. High-toned red berry fruit, vanilla, and cedarwood aromatics are balanced by savory notes of black olive, tobacco, and saddle leather on the palate.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

This Pinot Noir is in its perfect drinking window, having evolved beyond bright red cherry fruit into more savory territory—think red currant, tobacco leaf, and black tea–like tannins. All of that builds on the medium-bodied palate, layered with crunchy currant fruit, espresso bean nuances, bay laurel, and sage, leading to a long, satisfying, smoky-savor finish. If you’re drawn to Pinot in its secondary and tertiary phase, this one’s for you. I highly recommend enjoying it over the course of a meal—ideally, a couple of bottles at a time—now through 2030.

Red

2021

Producer

Name

Wanderlust’s 2021 Grenache is a light- to medium-bodied red with a bright herbal pop, followed by red berry fruit and nutty spice on the palate. Velvety textures support a mineral-rich, slightly meaty finish.

Red

2022

Producer

Name

Sourced from the Egan Vineyard in the Rogue Valley, this Malbec is yet another compelling reason why the region should hang its hat on the variety. Dark berry fruit mingles on the nose with a wonderfully expressive mix of dried wild herbs—a panoply of sage, thyme, rosemary, fennel, and straw. These savory elements build on the medium-bodied palate, framed by rose-petal-scented tannins that are firm yet graceful, resolving into chocolaty nuances and saline-mineral tension. A juicy spine of acidity ties it all together. A lovely wine, and a natural match for smoked or braised meats.

Cristaldi Scores

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Vintage

Wine

Color

Rating

Maren (Bybee Wine Co)

Octo Pinot Noir

Maren (Bybee Wine Co)

Otto Chardonnay

Nicolas-Jay

Momtazi Pinot Noir

Padigan

Estate Reserve Malbec

Padigan

Estate Reserve Viognier

Padigan

Estate Reserve Viognier

Padigan

Malbec

Padigan

Tempranillo

Peter William

Peter William Vineyard, "Extravagance" PWV Reserve Red

Plaisance Ranch

Petite Sirah Papa Joe's Private Stash

Quady North

Mae's Vineyard Syrah

Ryanrose

Tempranillo

Somar

Estate Grown Syrah

The Setting Wines

Chehalem Mountain Vineyard Chardonnay

The Setting Wines

Chehalem Mountain Vineyard Pinot Noir

The Setting Wines

Eola Springs Vineyard Chardonnay

The Setting Wines

Eola Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir

Wanderlust

Viognier

Benmar

Above the Clouds Pinot Noir

CHEV

Pinot Noir (Oregon)

DANCIN

Adagio Pinot Noir

DANCIN

Allongé Chardonnay

DANCIN

Capriccio Chardonnay

DANCIN

Danseur Syrah

DANCIN

Écarte Pinot Noir

DANCIN

En Bas Pinot Noir

DANCIN

Melodia Pinot Noir

DANCIN

Setti Pezzi Pinot Noir