St. Innocent Temperance Hill Pinot noir 07

Winery: St Innocent Winery

The St Innocent Temperance Hill Pinot noir 07 is made from an old section of Temperance Hill Vineyard. This 24 year old, phylloxera-effected section of the vineyard was pulled out and replaced in 2008. The grapes produced a small amount of intensely flavored Pommard clone grapes for the 2007 Pinot, making a wine that Mark Vlosak refers to as "a piece of history".

A subtle hint of lilacs mingles with sweet red cherry in the perfumed scent of the 2007 Temperance. Ripe, round, red berry and cherry flavors open and expand as spice notes extend the wine's smooth, lengthy finish. - Avalon

When I fire up the barbecue, this is the wine I serve. It matches perfectly with grilled salmon, meats, vegies and potato salad (my favorite summer meal). Ready to drink, the 2007 Pinot noir, Temperance Hill will evolve over a decade. - the winery

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Previous Vintage Tasting Notes

2006 Vintage Tasting Notes

The St Innocent Winery Temperance Vineyard Pinot noir 06 is an extraordinary value, leading off with aromatics of layered lilac, violet, and raspberry. Flavors come at you in a direct frontal attack - dense layers of berries, red cherries, cassis, and sweet pie spice roll along the palate. Soft juicy raspberry jam mingles with fresh rosemary and summer herbs. The 06 is perfectly ripe; there's a sappy red fruit character that's downright delicious.

This wine speaks volumes about the Temperance Hill site from which it comes, the top block by Pumphouse. For all its succulent full body, the wine retains a bright, refreshing acidity.

The ripe 2006 vintage and a dry harvest season combined to intensify flavors in the Temperance Hill Pinot noir. While immediately approachable and impressive, good acidity and balance make this a wine to lay down for up to eight years. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Winemaker Mark Vlosak says:

"The 2006 St Innocent Temperance Hill is a bright ruby red. It has lovely ripe fruit aromas of sweet cherries, raspberries, and cassis with sweet spice, lilac, purple flower, and sweet chocolate nuances. The aromas are very bright and the spices invite further inspection. The mouth explodes with layers of concentrated red fruits and lilac with futher spice notes that extend and transform into its lengthy finish. Ripe tannins and beautifully balanced acidity will make it a great match with food and will allow this wine to develop over years." 2005 Vintage Tasting Notes

This is the biggest and most viscous St. Innocent Temperance Hill to date. Gobs of fresh raspberries and cherries mix with hints of sage. The flavors meld to cherry/berry pie, with that ideal combination of sweet and tart. Serve it with grilled pork tenderloin with an herb rub. An outstanding value that will cellar for up to 5 years.--marcus

From the winery: The 2005 Temperance Hill is a deep ruby red. It has a dense and rich aroma of black cherries and dried, chocolate covered cherries with hints of lilac and other purple flowers. With air, the aromas liven and become sweet. Red and black fruits dominated the palate with spice and earth notes.

I am struck by the depth of the 2005 Temperance Hill. The complexity in this wine reminds me more of Shea. During my initial tasting, I allowed a bottle to sit on the table for 10 days (60% full). Expecting it to be shot, my wife and I were amazed at the layers of flavors, fresheness, and pleasure in the bottle. This Temperance Hill will open significantly over the next six months and should evolve over a decade.

When I fire up the barbecue, this is the wine I serve. It matches perfectly with grilled meats, vegies and potato salad (my favorite summer meal). It is also a wonderful match with grilled salmon. - Mark Vlossak, winemaker

2004 Vintage Tasting Notes

Just hits the ball out of the park again this year. Last year, we were all about the steal that was the 2003 Temperance. At $19.80 it was the deal of the vintage, in our opinions. The 2004 has gone up a bit, to $22.45, but the quality has gone up a bit as well.

Pick up a glass of the Temperance 04, and you're immediately struck with the intensity of the sweet dark cherry and strawberry nose, layered over hints of soft oak, spice, and classic black currant fruit, characteristic of Temperance Hill Vineyard. The flavors are of fruit beautifully married to fresh, uplifting acidity, with dark cherry flavors enhanced by a strong streak of spicy red and black currant fruit. The use of oak is masterful, enhancing yet never overwhelming. There's an unusual and quite appealing note of dark violets in the nose and flavor. Marcus says he'd like to do a "face plant" - just get his whole head into the glass, the nose is so nice.

When the wine is first opened, sweet toast dominates the nose, evolving to very focused fruit, as the delightful oak notes subside. The wine, in nose and flavor, hits the "sweet spot" where neither oak or fruit dominate, but dance together in balance. Mark has taken good fruit and carefully slected barrels to marry the two so completely, neither is in any way separate or overdone. Not easy to do, especially at under $25.

From the winery:

Situated at 723' atop the Eola Hills, this is our coolest and latest ripening vineyard. The vineyard is managed by Dai Crisp, one of Oregon's great grapegrowers, and is farmed organically. We have two blocks: one high on an east facing ridge, the other slightly lower and facing south.

We have a new block at Temperance Hill that will come into production in 2007. It lies on a sheltered south facing hill just to the north of Bethel Heights Vineyard's Flat Block. It consists of two different Pinot noir clones planted on phyloxera resistant rootstock at three times the density of our old plantings. I believe this block will become the best at Temperance Hill. Look for the first wine in 2009.

2004 was a classic, as well as a great, Oregon Vintage. Our yields were very low and we supplimented our harvest with fruit from the North Block. The grapes were fully ripe, maintained good acidity, and were free of rot. Their balance is perfect for matching with food and they should age well.

Tasting Notes The 2004 Temperance Hill is a deep ruby red. It has lush and very attractive aromas of black cherries and dried, chocolate covered cherries. Red and black fruits dominated the palate with hints of sage and tarragon. Well structured, with ample ripe tannin and significant concentration, this Temperance Hill will open significantly over the next six months and should evolve over 6-10 years.

I believe that this wine represents one of, if not the, finest wines I have made from this site. When I fire up the barbecue, this is the wine I serve. It matches perfectly with grilled meats, vegies and potato salad (my favorite summer meal).

Temperance Hill Vineyard is located in the hills formed by an ancient volcanic uplift ten miles northwest of Salem, Oregon. The Pinot noir grapes come from the eastern edge of the vineyard, that was planted in 1984 on thin weathered basalt at an average elevation of 720'.

The grapes were fermented in a small tank after one day of cold maceration. The wine aged for 16 months in 36% new French oak barrels and was bottled without fining or filtration. A small amount of sediment may accumulate during the aging process and is normal for wine produced in this manner.

This Pinot noir complements grilled meat entrees - salmon, lamb chops, pork tenderloin and filet. When served young, this wine is best if allowed to breathe for 1-2 hours. It is drinkable at release or will benefit from aging up to 5 years.

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Oregon & Washington Wine Specialists Since 1988

St. Innocent Temperance Hill Pinot noir 07