Eileen Vineyard Pinot Noir

Eola-Amity Hills, USA

Cristom Vineyards' single-vineyard pinot noir from the Eileen block on their estate in the Eola-Amity Hills, the most age-worthy of their four estate vineyard bottlings. Paul Gerrie purchased the property in 1992 and hired Steve Doerner as winemaker — Doerner having previously made the benchmark Calera pinot noirs in California. Eileen is the estate's most structured wine: darker-fruited, more tannic, and requiring the longest time to fully open; in great vintages it drinks superbly at 10–15 years.

Pairing intelligence

• main: Eileen's floral precision and moderate tannin are a natural match for pork loin's lean richness; the cherry compote mirrors the wine's cherry register while black pepper jus adds spice that the wine's light structure welcomes.
• main: Cherry gastrique creates a direct aromatic bridge with the wine's dark cherry character — the fruit compound is shared between food and wine. Pork tenderloin's lean, mild flavour lets the pairing unfold without competition. Roasted fennel's anise sweetness provides a herbal bridge with the wine's mineral freshness. Barley risotto's earthy warmth grounds the pairing.
• main: Eileen's floral refinement and restrained tannin make it an ideal pairing for the delicate protein of rabbit; tarragon and cream echo the wine's herbal-floral character, while mustard provides tonal contrast.
• starter: Eileen's floral delicacy and restrained tannin are calibrated for carpaccio's raw beef register — the Parmesan brings umami, the capers provide acidity, and the wine's lightness prevents the pairing from becoming heavy.
• dessert: The kirsch-cherry flavour of Black Forest gateau mirrors the Pinot's primary fruit character almost exactly. Chocolate ganache's bitterness provides contrast to the wine's red fruit sweetness. Kirsch and Pinot Noir share a fermented cherry identity.