St. Innocent Pinot noir Momtazi Vineyard 08
From the winery -
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'. The grapes were fermented in a Burgundy oak fermenter after two days of cold maceration. The wine aged French oak barrels for 16 months before bottling.
“The ability of Momtazi Pinot noir to express the unique place it comes from is unusual. This dark ruby‐red wine is unusually dense aromatically with broad savory and complex fruit aromas. Blackberry, cassis, and wild strawberry fruits intermix with roasted Asian and Indian spices and a bright edge of peppermint. Lush flavors of sweet dark fruit, a broad spectrum of spice, sweet roasted vegetables, and Herbes de Provence layer over its core of stones and earth. At its essence, the 2008 Momtazi is the wine you want to open on a cold winter night in front of a warm fire accompanied by a bowl of cassoulet.”
Previous Vintage Tasting Notes
St Innocent Pinot noir Momtazi Vineyard 07 - 90 points, Burghound - June 2010. "“This wine has a distinctly different density compared to other St. Innocent offerings and reflects its unique terroir. It can be enjoyed in its youth after decanting for two hours or more and will develop over nine years. Serve with grilled meats, sausages, or hearty stews.” –WM note “This possesses really lovely aromatic complexity blending together spice, soil, briar and a mix of upper and lower register red berry fruit notes that precede detailed pure and linear flavors that display a lifting palate impression and excellent balance. Despite the elegance and stylishness of the delivery, this lacks a bit of finishing depth but it may develop it in time as there is the balance to age.”
St Innocent Pinot noir Momtazi Vineyard 06 received 93 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate.
"The 2006 Pinot Noir Momtazi Vineyard is sourced from a biodynamically farmed site in McMinnville. It possesses the darkest fruit among all of the St. Innocent Pinots. Blue and black fruits dominate the nose and flavors and the wine has impressive structure, concentration, and grip for the vintage. Give it 3-4 years of additional bottle age and drink it from 2011 to 2019. "
St. Innocent Momtazi Vineyard Pinot noir 2006 received 93 points from Parker's Wine Advocate. "The 2006 Pinot noir Momtazi Vineyard is sourced from a biodynamically farmed site in McMinnville. It possesses the darkest fruit among all of the St. Innocent Pinots. Blue and black fruits dominate the nose and flavors and the wine has impressive structure, concentration, and grip for the vintage. Give it 3-4 years of additional bottle age and drink it from 2010 to 2018."
Pouring the St Innocent Momtazi Vineyard Pinot noir 06, an appealing aroma of blackberries and cherries arises from the glass. Scents of violets, toast, and fruit cobbler spice add charm. Tasting the wine, sweet fresh blackberry and black currant fruits are joined by hints of licorice and tar. Rounded and silky, structured tannins and a refreshing finish complete the wine.
