St. Innocent Pinot noir Zenith Vineyard 09

Review:

2009 Wine Advocate - 91 points - The 2009 Pinot Noir Zenith Vineyard displays darker fruit. Asian spices, incense, plum, and black raspberry aromas set the stage for a structured (for the vintage), potentially complex, spicy, smooth-textured offering that will evolve for 1-2 years and provide optimum drinking from 2012 to 2021. - Jay Miller

2009 Tanzer - 90 points - Bright ruby‐red. Smoky red and dark berry aromas are complicated by cola, sassafras and allspice. Juicy, well‐focused raspberry and bitter cherry flavors pick up smoke and spice notes in the middle palate, with a spine of zesty acidity providing focus and lift. Finishes with refreshing bitterness and an incisive quality, echoing the red fruit and spice notes.

2007 Vintage Tasting Notes

The 2007 Zenith Pinot is, in a word, intense. Roses, jasmine, and raspberry flowers mingle in the nose, and expansive Bing cherry and red raspberry flavors please the palate. An edgy hint of minerality in the rich fruit flavors and the smooth tannins makes the wine distinctive and unique. - Avalon

The Zenith Vineyard, formerly called O'Connor, is St. Innocent's estate vineyard. It is situated among the estate vineyards of Witness Tree, Cristom, and Bethel Heights.

This Pinot noir complements sweet meat entrees - grilled salmon, lamb chops, 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.

2006 Vintage Tasting Notes

2006 Wine Advocate - 90 points - The 2006 Pinot Noir Zenith Vineyard, only in its fourth leaf, is another friendly, easy-to-understand wine with enough structure to evolve for 1-2 years. Drink this lengthy effort from 2010 to 2016."

The St Innocent Zenith Vineyard Pinot noir 06 says "hey, check me out!" The most open and forward of the new 06 St. Innocent Pinots, it has huge, expressive aromas of savory sweet bacon and grilled plums. The wine opens up on the palate with ripe red cherry notes and exotic cardamom and clove on the finish. Layered hints of black currant explode throughout, then savory notes reappear. The Zenith Vineyard, formerly O'Connor, is St. Innocent's estate vineyard. A delicious new offering.