An Evening with Mark Vlossak of St. Innocent
Luci Ancora
Tasted Monday, September 27, 2010 by rocknroller with 446 views
Introduction
This was the annual Mark Vlossak/St. Innocent wine tasting dinner hosted by the Smith family of Luci Ancora and Luci Restaurants. The evening featured a seven course tasting menu paired with six of Mark's wines.
Flight 1 (6 Notes)
Closing
Thank you to Mark Vlossak for sharing his wonderful wines with everyone and to the Smith Family for being such warm hosts and preparing an outstanding tasting menu.
2008 St. Innocent Pinot Gris Vitae Springs Vineyard 91 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Light Straw Yellow color. Consistent with previous notes in general, but drinking even better tonight. Alsatian style with pear, citrus, tropical fruits, minerality, spices. The palate has a rich mouthfeel with crisp acidity and a balanced, clean finish. One of the best U.S. Piinot Gris.
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2009 St. Innocent Pinot Blanc Freedom Hill Vineyard 90 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Light Yellow color. Lemon, melon, green fruits, minerals. Very elegant style, crisp with a touch of oak on the palate. Slight bitterness on the finish.
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2008 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard 92 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Dark Ruby Red. Nose is nice, but taking a bit of time to open. Aromas of spice, mushrooms, red fruits. Palate has depth and balance and a moderate finish. This is a really nice wine, but I would say that currently I clearly prefer the Temperance and Momtazi at this price point.
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2007 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Zenith Vineyard 92 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Eola - Amity Hills
Garnet Red. This really is drinking nicely right now. Bright cherry, raspberries and strawberries, light earth and floral elements on the nose. the palate has a lighter body with good acidity and a nice finish. This is an elegant pinot that I really love. Side by side with the '08 Freedom Hill, tonight I preferred the Zenith stylistically.
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2007 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard 94 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
Dark Red Color. Nose is beautifully floral, violets all over, spice, damp earth, red fruits. The palate is shows a nice balance of earth and fruit. Long finish. Although this baby is built to age, it has evolved nicely over the last year since I last tasted it. Very close call with the 2008 Momtazi, but I have to give the edge to the Momtazi for now.
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2008 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Momtazi Vineyard 94 Points
USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
Gorgeous Dark Red color. The nose is great: a wonderful array of indian spices, earth, ripe red and blue fruits. The palate has amazing concentration and depth of fruit. Layer upon layer is revealed as this is experienced. Great mouth feel and good acidity as Mark's wines usually do. Well balanced and very long finish. In his remarks about this wine, Mark Vlossak described it as similar to a Sauvage (wild) styled Burgundy. It certainly had those wild, gamey characteristics. A super effort. 94pts.
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