Today we share some of the finest values you will ever taste in Oregon wine. 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.
The white wines from St. Innocent were consistently great and have been great over the past decade. I love the 2023 St. Innocent ‘Enchanted Path’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is deep and viscous with exotic tropical fruits. Learn more about these awesome wines at https://stinnocentwine.com Here are the great new releases by St. Innocent.
2020 St. Innocent ‘Crement’ Rose- Made with Pinot Noir but mainly Pinot Blanc grapes, this was stored on the lees for 39 months prior to disgorgement in August 2024. Best served on the warmer side, this is loaded with tart red fruits alongside orange peel and tobacco notes on the palate. Enjoy now. Drink 2025-2030- 91
2023 St. Innocent ‘Villages Cuvee’ Chardonnay- The 2023 St. Innocent ‘Villages Cuvee’ Chardonnay combines a range of top sites including the Freedom Hill Vineyard. Stored for 11 months in neutral French oak this delivers beautiful texture and structure with lush orchard fruits that meld well with cloves, pie crust and shades of marzipan on the palate. This is just a joy to consume right now. Drink 2025-2033- 93
2023 St. Innocent ‘Enchanted Way Vineyards’ Chardonnay- The 2023 St. Innocent ‘Enchanted Way Vineyards’ Chardonnay comes from this location in the South Salem Hills. Stored in only 11% new French oak before bottling, this delivers rich pineapple and mango flavors alongside custard and cantaloupe notes. Big and bold, with terrific tension and salty tones, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2025-2035- 95
2023 St. Innocent ‘Freedom Hill Vineyard’ Pinot Blanc- Mark Vlossak has been one of Oregon’s great champions for this Alsatian varietal for more than a decade now. This bottling comes from the famed Freedom Hill Vineyard, from vines planted back in 1993 and 2008. It is silky, refined and elegant, showing beautiful peach and Japanese pear flavors that meld well with shortbread, cashew nut and shades of ripe papaya on the palate. A stunning bottling that is a killer value, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 94
2023 St. Innocent ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Riesling- The 2023 ‘Temperance Hill Vineyard’ Riesling is made in the Trocken style. It is amongst the finest of its kind that you will taste in the Pacific Northwest. Loaded with tension and salty minerals, this offers petrol, key lime and nectarine flavors alongside its unctuous texture and stony underpinnings. Gorgeous now, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2025-2033- 94