We bring you one of the top estates in Oregon as part of Oregon Wine Month. Consistently some of the great values in Oregon wines for the price, St. Innocent is a famed Oregon estate founded by Oregon Wine Pioneer, Mark Vlossak. Mark has a longstanding history in the Oregon wine industry as the first single vineyard Pinot Noir made by Mark dates back to 1989 from the O’Connor vineyard. In 2006 Mark set up his winery at that same site of his first single vineyard wine, which is now named the Zenith Vineyard. Mark’s Pinots typically have a wonderful combination of elegance and richness. I’ve been sampling these wines for more than ten years and have found them to be one of the most consistent producers of Pinot Noir in Oregon. His last years releases were exceptional and this set of wines were even better. Mark also makes some of the best Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc in Oregon.
Last year his Pinot Gris made its way onto my 2019 Washington Wine Blog Top 100 and his new 2016 St. Innocent ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Blanc (WWB, 93) has great freshness, weight and minerality. I was really impressed with his 2016 Pinot Noir releases which were exceptional across the board. Look to his 2016 St. Innocent ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 93) which shows wonderful blood orange and earthy accents. Even better was his 2016 St. Innocent ‘Justice Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 94) which is silky and elegant with marvelous tension. One thing is clear — Mark Vlossak continues to be on top of his game. Learn more about these awesome wines at https://stinnocentwine.com Here are the great new releases by St. Innocent.
2016 St. Innocent ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Blanc- The 2016 ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Blanc by St. Innocent is arguably the best of its kind in North America. The wine was aged on the lees for eight months before bottling in June 2017. The freshness and wonderful texture entices as beeswax and nutmeg infused Challah bread flavors mingle with minerals, honeydew melon and a lovely sense of viscosity. Gorgeous now to enjoy, I can see this cellaring well over the next seven years. This is not only a downright steal at a mere twenty two dollars and is every bit stunning by superstar winemaker and Oregon wine pioneer, Mark Vlossak. Drink 2020-2027- 93
2017 St. Innocent ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This incredible new wine sourced from the famed ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ shows a ripe bouquet of bananas foster and vanilla cream that collide with nutty and earthy undertones. The palate has a silky mouthfeel that effortlessly glides across the mid-palate. The seamless quality of the wine truly entices as bright orchard fruits are woven together with vanilla cream and nutmeg infused sourdough bread flavors. Wonderful to enjoy in its youth, this great new Oregon Chardonnay will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2016 St. Innocent ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Located just short of the Coast Range and ten miles from Salem, Oregon, the ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard is set at roughly 500 feet elevation. This Pinot Noir has sourced two vineyard blocks, planted in 2004 and 2008. High-toned red fruits dance with shades of blood orange, peat moss and silty tones that all take shape in the glass. Soft and generous, with a plush mouthfeel, this shows high-toned red fruits that dance with suggestions of orange rind and damp earth accents. The silky texture truly entices, as this round and generous new Pinot Noir will show well for a decade or more to come. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2016 St. Innocent ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The 2016 ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir opens with ripe red cherry aromatics woven together with citrus rind and peat moss and volcanic earth undertones on this complex, earthy nose. The palate has great freshness and verve, with medium-bodied black cherry cordial with damp earth, orange zest and pomegranate seed flavors that all sing in unison. Fantastic to enjoy in its youth, this beautiful new Pinot Noir will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2030- 93
2016 St. Innocent ‘Zenith Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Mark Vlossak planted the ‘Zenith Vineyard’ which is located eight miles from Salem, Oregon and utilizes four different Pinot Noir clones. The wine was aged in French oak barrels for sixteen months prior to bottling in February 2018. Translucent in the glass, the ‘Zenith Vineyard’ Pinot Noir takes the lead with its lovely dusting of white pepper and volcanic soil as bright and highly perfumed red fruits dance with minerals, blood orange and peat moss tones. The length and seamless quality of the wine is simply magical. While enticing to enjoy right now, the 2016 ‘Zenith Vineyard’ Pinot Noir will cellar well for another ten to fifteen years — or more. Drink 2020-2033- 94
2016 St. Innocent ‘Shea Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- Located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA, the ‘Shea Vineyard’ is one of the famed sites for Pinot Noir in the Willamette Valley. The wine was aged for sixteen months in French oak (26%) prior to bottling in February 2018. Red rose petals and red cherry compote brilliantly combine with orange zest and damp earth aromatics all take shape in the glass. The palate is silky smooth, showing off a lovely core of ripe red fruits with wild mushroom and damp earth tones on the palate. Round and generous, with great length, this fantastic wine will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 94
2016 St. Innocent ‘Justice VIneyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Justice VIneyard’ was first planted in 2001 and has a large influence from the Van Duzer corridor. Highly perfumed once in the glass, shades of rose water and tarragon combine with the lovely core of bright red fruits on this gorgeous nose. The palate is vibrant showing amazing texture and a wonderfully plush texture and bright sense of minerality. A complete wine, this is a scintillating bottling that is thrilling to enjoy in its youth and will cellar well for a decade or more. Drink 2020-2033- 94
2016 St. Innocent ‘Momtazi Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Momtazi Vineyard’ is a famed vineyard located seven miles west of McMinnville, Oregon. This biodynamic vineyard has a unique combination of marine sedimentary soils and volcanic soils. The dusting of volcanic earth really entices on the nose, brilliantly combining with dark kirsch and damp earth tones that all mingle in the glass. The palate is lithe, showing a wonderful sense of minerality. The length and richness of the red fruit flavors all come together brilliantly, as this outstanding new wine will have a long life ahead of it. Drink 2020-2033- 93