Two St. Innocent Pinot Noirs, Oregon

[wondersofwine]

Last week I opened a 1999 St. Innocent Shea Vineyard Pinot Noir and a 2001 St. Innocent Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir.

The Shea Vineyard was labeled 13.6% alcohol and unfiltered. Scarlet to purple color; not quite opaque and exhibiting viscosity. Dark fruits on the nose including boysenberry. Some violets also on the nose.
Seemed to gain in flavor 90 minutes after opening. I had it with smoked salmon with dill sauce the first evening, stuffed green pepper the second evening, and with spaghetti and meatballs (church fundraiser) the third evening. I liked it best with the stuffed pepper.

2001 St. Innocent Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot Noir 13.9% alcohol
Similar color to the 1999 Shea Vineyard. Robust; somewhat tannic. Fresher fruit taste than the Shea Vineyard wine. Paired with potato soup and with salmon/cream cheese/dill wraps. I prefered this wine over the '99 Shea Vineyard P.N. but wasn't wowed by either wine. My favorite from St. Innocent remains a '98 Shea Vineyard that I had at a tasting in the DC area.
Label notes on the Seven Springs say the vineyard blocks were planted in 1988 and 1992. The grapes were fermented in a small tank after three days of cold maceration. The wine aged for 19 months in 60% new French oak barrels. 759 cases. Notes say the wine will benefit from aging up to 12 years (and I consumed at half that age).



[This message has been edited by wondersofwine (edited 02-22-2007).]

[Bucko]

St. Innocent does indeed blossom with age. I usually give them a minimum of eight years. They just don't show well early on IMHO.