Tasted after 90 minutes of air. Medium ruby color. Round crunchy Raspberry fruit. Plenty of tannic grip. Spice pops on the mid palate. Some tea notes just float on the palate. This wine is very interesting. Light on its feet but still powerful. Hard to describe. Long finish.
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Bright ruby color with a reflective edge. The nose jumps off to very perfumed, smoky, nutty, earthy notes of red fruits. Haven’t quite experienced a Pinot from Willamette Valley, nor Oregon for that matter, quite like this. This one has power, broad shoulders, a solid mid palate, and fleshier than most PNs from Oregon at this age that I’ve tried. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was stem inclusion in fermentation. There’s also lively acidity that keeps it high-pitched and balances the ripeness of the red fruits all the way through the long, dusty finish with hints of tobacco and mushrooms. I don’t think the producers were going for elegance as much as flavor and texture here. And there’s much to go from here. Drink now until 2030.
Decanted 20 minutes. Dark red in the glass, with a mineral nose and luscious mouthfeel full of bold tannins for a Pinot. Warmed up over time with the fruit emerging. Final pour had lots of sediment - should have been more careful! Need to restock from this winery.
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There is a nice wine with black fruits and mild acidity here, unfortunately it is underneath an oak barrel.
Seriously though, way too much oak, this is really woody tasting and the wood dominates what may be some blue and black fruits. I really don’t understand how a winery is only using 30% new oak at maximum (according to their website) manages to make a wine so oaky. Beyond the oak dominance, the wine is ok, although it is a bit overly extracted and is lacking acidity. Unfortunate.
Very tasty, balanced and drinkable. Lovely black cherry fruit, a bit of loam, cinnamon spice and a great dry finish. Went fabulous with our grilled tuna steaks.
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The nose was nicely perfumed and emphasized both vibrant fruit and savory elements, with sweet dark red cherries, spices, savory herbs, and a touch of smoke. On the palate, the wine was more mid-weight than I expected, showing a good combination of elegance and power. I found spicy, red fruit, fresh herbs, and a rush of saline minerality towards the finish. Along with the mid-weight texture, there was a good level of acidity adding freshness.
It's a beautiful new world Pinot, showing a clear vibrancy of fruit but also featuring a good level of savory complexity, minerality, and elegance in the texture.
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Big and extractive, but very drinkable, the acid balance is too low and the wine lacks life. It was nice with dinner but I kept thinking about what was missing in this wine. it needs the spark a touch off acidity would give it. Don't think it will prosper from further aging.
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This is good; definitely on the ripe and rich spectrum; black currant, plum, black cherry, floral and baking spices; classic warm vintage WV nose for me; the palate is big and rich, but maintains balance (benefits from being served pretty much at cellar temp for me). The finish is good and this has lots of development upside as the stuffing is present to easily evolve for another decade. St Innocent still represents a solid value for very good WV pinot noir.
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3/26/2023 - Brian Glas Likes this wine: 94 Points
Tasted after 90 minutes of air. Medium ruby color. Round crunchy Raspberry fruit. Plenty of tannic grip. Spice pops on the mid palate. Some tea notes just float on the palate. This wine is very interesting. Light on its feet but still powerful. Hard to describe. Long finish.
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10/5/2021 - Tandrew2514 Likes this wine:
This is starting to hit its stride. Worth waiting another 2-3 years but in a great spot now.
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6/5/2021 - Life At Your Leisure 🍷 wrote: 93 Points
Bright ruby color with a reflective edge. The nose jumps off to very perfumed, smoky, nutty, earthy notes of red fruits. Haven’t quite experienced a Pinot from Willamette Valley, nor Oregon for that matter, quite like this. This one has power, broad shoulders, a solid mid palate, and fleshier than most PNs from Oregon at this age that I’ve tried. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was stem inclusion in fermentation. There’s also lively acidity that keeps it high-pitched and balances the ripeness of the red fruits all the way through the long, dusty finish with hints of tobacco and mushrooms. I don’t think the producers were going for elegance as much as flavor and texture here. And there’s much to go from here. Drink now until 2030.
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4/23/2021 - Eroling Likes this wine: 92 Points
Decanted 20 minutes. Dark red in the glass, with a mineral nose and luscious mouthfeel full of bold tannins for a Pinot. Warmed up over time with the fruit emerging. Final pour had lots of sediment - should have been more careful! Need to restock from this winery.
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4/12/2021 - HFLED wrote: 85 Points
There is a nice wine with black fruits and mild acidity here, unfortunately it is underneath an oak barrel.
Seriously though, way too much oak, this is really woody tasting and the wood dominates what may be some blue and black fruits. I really don’t understand how a winery is only using 30% new oak at maximum (according to their website) manages to make a wine so oaky. Beyond the oak dominance, the wine is ok, although it is a bit overly extracted and is lacking acidity. Unfortunate.
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1/14/2021 - Bob in NC Likes this wine: 91 Points
Very tasty, balanced and drinkable. Lovely black cherry fruit, a bit of loam, cinnamon spice and a great dry finish. Went fabulous with our grilled tuna steaks.
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9/29/2020 - Robmcl920 Likes this wine: 92 Points
The nose was nicely perfumed and emphasized both vibrant fruit and savory elements, with sweet dark red cherries, spices, savory herbs, and a touch of smoke. On the palate, the wine was more mid-weight than I expected, showing a good combination of elegance and power. I found spicy, red fruit, fresh herbs, and a rush of saline minerality towards the finish. Along with the mid-weight texture, there was a good level of acidity adding freshness.
It's a beautiful new world Pinot, showing a clear vibrancy of fruit but also featuring a good level of savory complexity, minerality, and elegance in the texture.
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9/6/2020 - Beezc Likes this wine: 93 Points
Better after open a couple hours. Even better the second day.
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7/20/2020 - MarkyMarkC Likes this wine:
Very nice
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7/18/2020 - Woodbridge Brad Likes this wine: 88 Points
Big and extractive, but very drinkable, the acid balance is too low and the wine lacks life. It was nice with dinner but I kept thinking about what was missing in this wine. it needs the spark a touch off acidity would give it. Don't think it will prosper from further aging.
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6/25/2020 - jnewman77 wrote:
This is good; definitely on the ripe and rich spectrum; black currant, plum, black cherry, floral and baking spices; classic warm vintage WV nose for me; the palate is big and rich, but maintains balance (benefits from being served pretty much at cellar temp for me). The finish is good and this has lots of development upside as the stuffing is present to easily evolve for another decade. St Innocent still represents a solid value for very good WV pinot noir.
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