We did a very fun, informative tasting at St. Innocent on July 9th and even got to see Mark Vlossak which is always a treat. Here are the notes. Great story is St. Innocent since starting in the mid 80s has been with the Wine Company in St. Paul which is one if not the best wine distributors in MN and beyond.
- 2023 St. Innocent Grauburgunder Not So Innocent Momtazi Vineyard – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
Nothing special but drinkable with strawberries, floral and raspberries. Picks up a lemon twist at the end. (87 pts.) - 2021 St. Innocent Chardonnay Dijon Clone Freedom Hill Vineyard – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Shells, minerals, orange peel, apple and pear. Crisp and clean wine. Drink now to 2028. (91 pts.) - 2021 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
This was showing really well today and features rose petals, strawberries, dark cherry, floral, cranberry and a touch of spice. Medium plus finish and fairly complex wine. (93 pts.)
- 2019 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Momtazi Vineyard – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, McMinnville
This was super tight today and needs time. A little hollow for me with spice, red currants, floral and shorter finish. I find these need minimum of 10 years to show their stuff. 89-92
Well always fun to see a previous note a year or so ago and it was showing much better then so heavy decant might be needed here. (89 pts.)
- 2019 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley, Yamhill-Carlton
Really nice now with perfume, cranberry, dried flowers, wood, spice and earth. Drink now or hold for five plus years. (92 pts.)
- 2021 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
Cherry, dust, raspberries, earth, mild pepper and earth character. Very nice complexity and my favorite of the 4 Pinots. 93+ (93 pts.) - 2019 St. Innocent Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs – USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley
One of the better sparkling efforts out of Oregon in a while for me. Spice, floral, chalk, minerals, pear and apple. Very flavorful and while not cheap a Sparkler that would grab your attention blind. (92 pts.)
