Today we share one of the top estates in Oregon that is known for some exceptional values. 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. For years I have loved Mark’s Pinot Noirs which exude class in their elegance and flavor range. He also makes some of the great Pinot Gris and Pinot Blanc in the state, as his wines have landed several times on my Top 100.
2019 was definitely not the easiest vintage for Oregon Pinot Noir, with cold and damp conditions at harvest. I love what Mark accomplished in 2019, as he harvested very late and the wines show exceptional balance and flavor range, as well as really good flavor density. I love the new 2019 St. Innocent ‘Shea Vineyard’ Pinot Noir (OB, 95) which is wonderfully salty and shows a core of very pretty red fruits. He has made a great new bubbles bottling the 2017 St. Innocent ‘Brut’ Sparkling Wine (OB, 92) which shows a kiss of effervescence and really nice range of flavors. Learn more about these awesome wines at https://stinnocentwine.com Here are the great new releases by St. Innocent.
2017 St. Innocent Brut- The 2017 St. Innocent Brut is a beautiful wine that is already evolved nicely. A blend of 60% Chardonnay with the remainder Pinot Noir this beauty was disgorged in September 2022. Pear and apple flavors with cashew nut combine on the palate, with wonderful salty undertones and light effervescence. Only 118 cases made. Drink 2023-2029- 92
2019 St. Innocent ‘Cremate de Innocent’ Sparkling Wine- One of the truly unique sparkling wines made in Oregon, this limited production (141 cases) 2019 sparkling wine bottling was sourced from Freedom Hill Vineyard Pinot Blanc grapes. It is very soft and delicate in terms of effervescence, just like the ‘Brut’ as star jasmine water, Japanese pear and kiwi flavors all combine on the palate. Showing good underlying finesse, with salty undercurrents, enjoy now and over the next five to seven years. Drink 2023-2030- 92
2021 St. Innocent ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Riesling- Made in the ‘Kabinett’ style, this beautiful 2021 Riesling comes from grapes that were planted on thin volcanic soils. Stored in stainless steel, this was bottled in April 2022. The wine shows a sterling sense of tension once on the mouth. Kiwi and lime zest combine with volcanic stones and salty undertones on the palate. A knockout bottling for the price, grab this while you can. Only 97 cases made. Drink 2023-2030- 94
2021 St. Innocent ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Blanc- For years Mark Vlossak of St. Innocent has been a statewide champion for Pinot Blanc. This edition is beautifully textured, with serious weight and tension. Layers of kiwi, peach and copious minerals greet you on the palate, with loads of lime zest and mouth-watering acidity, already displaying mushroom and Macadamia nut tones. This is a total stunner that will build earthy and nutty tones as it ages. Drink 2023-2031- 94
2022 St. Innocent ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Blanc- This 2022 edition of the Pinot Blanc is quite different than the warm vintage ’21 version. It also shows a beautiful texture and bright acidity but is a slight beat behind in weight and flavor range now in its development. Salted cantaloupe, baking spice dusted brioche bread and shades of cashew nut all combine on the palate. A stunning wine, this will deliver drinking enjoyment now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2019 St. Innocent ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Chardonnay- This outstanding new Chardonnay bottling come form the famed Freedom Hill Vineyard which is set in the foothills of the Coastal Range, roughly ten miles from the town of Salem. This wine shows some serious nerve once on the mouth, as everything is wonderfully in balance. Kiwi, orchard fruits and starfruit flavors combine with shades of marzipan and baking spices on the palate. Round and generous, with serious tension, this is a stunning new bottling that is best enjoyed now and over the next ten plus years. Drink 2023-2035- 94
2020 St. Innocent ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Chardonnay- Coming from this challenging vintage, harvest was considerably after the smoke events of early September (Sept 22-27). Despite this, the wine comes off very clean with poached pear and apricot notes on the palate, with baking spice laced Challah bread and even shades of banana. Very ripe and exotic, enjoy this now and over the next several years. Drink 2023-2029- 92
2019 St. Innocent ‘Momtazi Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- For years I have admired wines that come from the ‘Momtazi Vineyard’ which is one of the unique sites in the Willamette Valley — set on a combination of marine sedimentary and Jory volcanic soils. This shows good concentration considering the coolness of the vintage. A great combination of black and red fruits greet you on the palate, with wet stone, salty soils and shades of Shiitake mushroom. This is beautifully constructed and concentrated Pinot Noir that will cellar well over the next fifteen years. Drink 2023-2038- 94
2019 St. Innocent ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Noir- This outstanding new 2019 Pinot Noir comes form the Temperance Hill Vineyard which is is a slightly cooler and high altitude site in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA. Harvest for this wine was done rather late on 10/21/19. On the nose this shows off black truffle notes that combine with freshly tilled soils, peat moss and wild blackberry notes. The palate is plush but also deftly structured, with a lifted presence and good sense of weight. The citrus rind and pomegranate seed accents entice, as this beautiful wine is nowhere near its end. Enjoy this incredible new Pinot Noir now and over the next fifteen years to come. Drink 2023-2038- 95