On Monday, May 6, The Portland Bottle Shop team loaded up and headed to wine country to visit the ever-popular J. Christopher Winery.
J. Christopher Wines, nestled in the Chehalem Mountains AVA of the Willamette Valley, Oregon, is a testament to a New World wine made in the unhurried Old World style. Their wine creations include Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and more. Their patient approach to winemaking allows each wine to fully express its origin, whether it's the Old World or the New.
Upon arrival, we were taken on a tour of the wine caves. Five manufactured caves house J. Christopher's many delicious wines. The caves allow the wines to be kept in a temperature-controlled atmosphere without the need for additional resources.
Our visit was hosted by Timothy Malone, the heart and soul of J. Christopher's winemaking. Timothy, who also creates wine under his own label, Timothy Malone Wines, started his journey with J. Christopher back in 2006. His personal touch and unwavering dedication to his craft are not just evident but palpable in every bottle.
In 2020, Tim was asked to return to J. Christopher as their full-time winemaker. And thankfully so, as we get to indulge in their delicious wines.
J. Christopher's vineyards are home to 11 different soil types, thanks to geology, the creation of the coastal range, volcanic mud and the Missoula floods from years ago, which brought soil from other areas. Most of the wines of the J. Christopher label are grown in higher-elevation soil.
After we toured the vineyards caves and tasted a few of Tim's personal wines, we were treated to a tasting and charcuterie boards in the tasting room.
Tim walked us through five varieties, each exceptional in their own way.
We started with the 2019 Basalte Pinot Noir, which was matured for 18 months in barrels. Tim informed us that all J. Christopher wines are matured for at least 18 months before tasting to determine whether they need to mature more, a nod to their Old World winemaking style.
From there, we moved on to the 2019 Volcanique Pinot Noir. The grapes from this wine come from the Dundee Hills, and it was a crowd favorite.
We rounded out the Pinots with the 2018 Medici Vineyard Pinot Noir. The grapes from this bottle were planted in 1976, giving the wine great complexity.
Next, we moved on to some whites with the 2019 Sol Et Soliel Chardonnay. This particular Chardonnay was created using a reductive winemaking process. This means letting the grapes do their thing without the presence of oxygen. This allows the primary fruit to come off and creates a more robust flavor integration with more nuance.
Lastly, we tasted the 2023 Chehalem Mtns Sauvignon Blanc. This one was a quick change from our previous sips. The strong melon scent hits your nose, followed by the delicious fruity flavors. This one begs for a sunny day and a patio.
The winery's unwavering commitment to quality and terroir-driven winemaking has earned it critical acclaim and a loyal following. J. Christopher Wines is a must-visit in the Willamette Valley. If you can't make the trek out to visit them, stop by the Bottle Shop and pick up a variety of theirs from our shelves.
Timothy Malone Friday Night Tasting
If you want to learn more about J. Christopher and Timothy Malone Wines, join us on Friday, May 17, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm for our Friday night tasting. Tim will be here to answer all of your questions while you taste a variety of wines.