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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 89.1 pts. and median of 89 pts. in 57 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by DougLee on 2/26/2022 & rated 91 points: Found this in the cellar (no CT record of it). Popped and poured. Darker ruby. Nose of damp cellar, plum pits, violets, earth. Tart and sweet initially on the palate with later notes of contrasting dark raspberry and strawberry cut with iodine and stony iron. Brisk acidity and firm tannin. Longer finish of crunchy red fruit and grounding savory notes. Brimming with life, with lot of years of evolution in store. (975 views) | | | Tasted by Burgundy Al on 8/11/2021 & rated 89 points: Popped-and-poured. Bright red cherry and strawberry aromas with slight perfumed notes. Similar flavors, just slightly less forthcoming with medium+ concentration. More earth and leather emerged once open 2+ hours, this also seemed to put on more weight. Good now through 2030. (1837 views) | | | Tasted by JCGuthrie on 12/1/2020 & rated 92 points: Agree with RocknRoller's 3/13/19 note, and not much to add. This bottle was very fresh and tasted young relative to other older SIs I've had - I suspect pristine storage. Definitely on the spicier side of pinot. Very good, and maybe I'm being stingy on the score - it had tough competition against an '08 Cameron Clos Electrique. (1277 views) | | | Tasted by rocknroller on 12/28/2019 & rated 92 points: Medium dark red color. PNP, drank 2 glasses over 3 hours. Deep aromas of raspberry and strawberry, bold ground tobacco and tobacco leaf, sauvage, more damp earthiness. The palate is medium full bodied, dark berries, cigar ash, tobacco leaf, sous bois, good acidity, tart fruits. Again, this is one of my favorite Momtazis. Adore the 2010 vintage across the board from St I. The Temperance Hill a couple weeks ago was mind blowing. (1721 views) | | | Tasted by UpfromtheCellar on 10/6/2019 & rated 88 points: From a Jeroboam (only 1 of three produced).
Floral nose but much tighter on the palate than I was expecting. Thin mid palate. Opened and decanted for an hour before. Much more Burgundian than new world. (1519 views) | | | Tasted by rocknroller on 3/13/2019 & rated 92 points: Whyne Not? (Rocknroller's (Kevin & Vicki's Place)): Medium ruby color. PNP, drank 2 glasses over 2 hours. This may be one of my favorite vintages of Momtazi. This has the purity and finesse of the vintage in spades, medium bodied, very elegant though plenty of the stuffing of Momtazi. This has become much more red fruited over the years too. Quite earthy out frint, bright red berries, wild strawberry, dried earth and hints of pencil. The palate hits with a spiciness on the attack, follows with the tart red berries and a good streak of red currants, wood, tobacco and underbrush with very refined tannins. Awfully darn good and picking up a hint of blue fruit over time. 92+pts. (1809 views) | | | Tasted by rocknroller on 4/26/2018 & rated 92 points: Oregon Wine Geek Week Grand Tasting; 4/24/2018-4/26/2018 (University Club, St. Paul, MN): Medium ruby color. PNP, drank 2 glasses over 90 minutes. My opinion has always been that Momtazi takes some time to evolve. I've revised that opinion to some extent with some recent vintages, but this was a perfect example of how just enough age and a one of my currnet favorite drinking vinatges comes together. The wine was very elegant and more restrained that it often is. As Mark often calls it his Wild Child, this was a tempered and well behaved little one. Dark cherry on the nose and palate with very good high tones spices, underbrush and a medium bodied palate with such good persistence. I found this to drinking at what may be a peak point showing grace and balance. Very pleasing. (2108 views) | | | Tasted by jasonh on 7/23/2017: Outstanding. In a very good zone right now. (1950 views) | | | Tasted by bear on 3/21/2017 & rated 90 points: We drank this with Hungarian goulash. I thought that Momtazi grapes would have the earthiness to go with the goulash. The nose, however, was surprisingly pretty and floral. On the palate, with the goulash, the earthier tones of the wine shone through. It turned out to be a very good match. After dinner, we continued to sip more of the wine and it changed somewhat dramatically. It mellowed out to be a wonderful sipping wine with depth, a long finish, still on the pretty side but also with enough "oomph" to be continually interesting. This wine had layers of taste to it, along with its flowery nose. I wish I had purchased more of it! Harvey Steiman at Wine Spectator got everything just right on his review of this wine - a rarity, in my experience, as I usually find his reviews very different than what I taste in a wine. (1786 views) | | | Tasted by jshearer on 11/19/2016 & rated 89 points: Dark red cherries, baking fruit, and damp earth. Balanced in the mouth. Cherry liqueur, slightly tannic finish. (1862 views) | | | Tasted by Bob in NC on 9/4/2016 & rated 87 points: A nice mid-level Pinot Noir. Bright cherry, cinnamon and a little earthy component. (1748 views) | | | Tasted by rickspicks on 3/28/2016 & rated 85 points: This was my 4th bottle (all 375 ml) and 3 of them have been mediocre or worse. This one was slightly better than the prior bottle, but still tart, thin, angular and just not very pleasant. Not really green, but the dominant flavor was grapefruit with perhaps a bit of cranberry. Need to start giving it the scores it deserves because these are not all flawed bottles. Will be happy when the rest are gone. (1806 views) | | | Tasted by Jarndyce on 1/12/2016 & rated 91 points: Wow, what a difference vs the last bottle! Great flavor and nice long finish here. (1626 views) | | | Tasted by jdpearse on 12/23/2015 & rated 89 points: A year since the last bottle and this was much better. Nice fruit on the front and mild spice on the back. Pleasant. Perhaps the prior bottle was corked or flawed. Also drank the 2011 Etude next to this one. Same price. The St. Innocent was MUCH better and balance. (1614 views) | | | Tasted by rickspicks on 10/21/2015: Not happy with this bottle (375ml). Thin, tart and a bit green. Very unlike any other St. Innocent pinot I have had (and I have consumed about 200 bottles of SI pinot). Will not score. (1619 views) | | | Tasted by jshearer on 8/21/2015 & rated 88 points: Fills out after 2+ hours being open. Very compelling aromatics. Dark red fruits, baking spice, and floral. Less complex in the mouth. Comes across a bit hollow or thin compared to the nose. Lacking the wild, earthy notes on display at release. (1707 views) | | | Tasted by Vino Me on 5/2/2015 & rated 89 points: No formal notes but this was drinking better than when I last had it in 2013. 89 points. (1743 views) | | | Tasted by rickspicks on 1/7/2015 & rated 90 points: Cherry/strawberry/raspberry with earth, dust and a hint of rose petals on the nose . Silky-smooth, seamless and nicely balanced with a light to medium body. Nice kick of acidity/grip on the finish. Just a bit thin and lightweight on the mid-palate, but otherwise very nice. This needs some airtime for sure - starts tight with muted fruit, and then blossoms. (1661 views) | | | Tasted by Jarndyce on 12/21/2014 & rated 85 points: Nice light red color. Tobacco on the nose which I really enjoyed. Not much In the way of flavor though, rather dull and muted. Just ok for me. (1547 views) | | | Tasted by rickspicks on 12/1/2014 flawed bottle: I hope this bottle (375ml) was flawed as it was simply terrible. Nose was OK, but then thin, green and tart on the palate -- not much fruit and almost undrinkable. Gave it an hour + to improve, but it made no difference. I am a big fan of St. Innocent, but this did not come close to what I have come to expect. (1609 views) | | | Tasted by wineaux2 on 10/4/2014 & rated 88 points: Very nice pinot. Dominantly earthy, this wine featured red cherries and freshly tilled soil with a hint of stones; good acidity too. (1619 views) | | | Tasted by SLOFred on 4/30/2014 & rated 85 points: Simple wine. Not worth $25. (2042 views) | | | Tasted by Goofyfoot on 4/5/2014: Spice and fruit, very organic and slightly bitter, good nose (1919 views) | | | Tasted by JJKinch on 3/22/2014 & rated 91 points: Red fruit (cherry, slight raspberry), slight spice, slight cola, slight minerality. Pretty bright/ nice acidity. Lingering finish. Really enjoyable (1820 views) | | | Tasted by mzimberg on 3/21/2014 & rated 92 points: Pretty velvety rose. Super sexy Burgundian nose of wild flowers, damp earth, and morel. Silky serious entry. Earthy Oregon tea-like twang. Sappy pasty pinot with a nice acidic zing. Long finish. I could very easily drink this every day. From .375. (1816 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By John Szabo, MS
WineAlign (9/6/2013)
(St. Innocent Pinot Noir 'momtazi Vineyard', Willamette Valley red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Allen Meadows
Burghound, October 2012, Issue #48
(St. Innocent Winery Pinot Noir - Momtazi Vineyard Villages Red) Subscribe to see review text. | By Josh Raynolds
Vinous, July/August 2012, IWC Issue #163
(St. Innocent Winery Pinot Noir Momtazi Vineyard McMinnville) Subscribe to see review text. |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of WineAlign and Burghound and Vinous. (manage subscription channels) |
| St. Innocent Producer WebsitePinot Noir Varietal character (Appellation America) | Varietal article (Wikipedia)
Pinot Noir is the Noble red grape of Burgundy, capable of ripening in a cooler climate, which Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot will not reliably do. It is unpredictable and difficult both to grow and to vinify, but results in some of the finest reds in the world. It is believed to have been selected from wild vines two thousand years ago. It is also used in the production of champagne. In fact, more Pinot Noir goes into Champagne than is used in all of the Cote d'Or! It is also grown in Alsace, Jura, Germany, the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Switzerland, Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Italy, and so forth, with varying degrees of success.
Pinot Noir is one of the world's most prestigious grapes. It is very difficult to grow and thrives well in France, especially in Champagne and Burgundy. Pinot Noir thrives less in hot areas, is picky on soil, and deserves some oak storage.
Pinot Noir, or Blauburgunder / Spätburgunder in German, is a blue grapevine - and, as the German name suggests, the grape comes originally from Burgundy in France.
The grape, which thrives in calcareous soils, is used primarily for the production of red wine, and it is widely regarded as producing some of the best wines in the world. The wine style is often medium-bodied with high fruit acidity and soft tannins. It can be quite peculiar in fragrance and taste, and not least in structure - which may be why it is referred to as "The Grapes Ballerina".
Pinot Noir is also an important ingredient in sparkling wines, not least in champagne since it is fruity, has good acidity and contains relatively little tannins.
The grape is considered quite demanding to grow. The class itself consists of tightly packed grapes, which makes it more sensitive to rot and other diseases.
Pinot Noir changes quite easily and is genetically unstable. It buds and matures early which results in it often being well ripened. Climate is important for this type of grape. It likes best in cool climates - in warm climates the wines can be relaxed and slightly pickled.
In cooler climates, the wine can get a hint of cabbage and wet leaves, while in slightly warmer regions we often find notes of red berries (cherries, strawberries, raspberries, currants), roses and slightly green notes when the wine is young. With age, more complex aromas of forest floor, fungi and meat emerge.
In Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Hungary, it often produces light wines with less character. However, it has produced very good results in California, Oregon and New Zealand.
With its soft tannins and delicate aroma, it is excellent for white fish, chicken and light meat. For the stored wines you can serve small game. Classic duck breast is a matter of course, a Boeuf Burgundy and Pinot Noir are pure happiness.
Pinot Noir loses quality by over-harvesting.
Pinot Noir is prone to diseases, especially rot and mildew. Viruses cause major problems especially in Burgundy.
Pinot Noir are large round grapes with thin skins. Relatively high in alcohol content. Medium rich tannins and good with acid.
As a young person, Pinot Noir has a distinctly fruity character such as raspberries, cherries and strawberries.
A mature Pinot Noir, the taste is different. Cherry goes into plum and prune flavors. It smells of rotten leaves, coffee, moist forest floor and animal wine. This must be experienced.
In warm climates you find boiled plum, some rustic, little acid.
If the grapes are over-grown, the wine will be thin, with little color and flavor.Momtazi VineyardFrom St. Innocent: "Momtazi Vineyard is located in the McMinnville AVA, 7 miles west of McMinnville, Oregon. The Pinot noir came from three blocks planted in 1999 and 2004 on a steep hillside and farmed using the bio-dynamic method. It has a south and SW exposure at an elevation of 550-650'."USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.Oregon Oregon Wine, Oregon Wineries (Oregon Wine Board)Willamette Valley Willamette Valley Wineries Association | Willamette Valley (Oregon Wine Board)
On weinlagen-info including some single vineyards
Willamette Valley Vintage Reviews
McMinnville McMinnville Winegrowers Association |
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