An impressive and typical White Rose Pinot - the vineyard is known for its hedonistic qualities, and they show here. The usual perfume of white flowers is present, followed by fresh red raspberry and red cherry flavors. The smooth and structured tannins suggest decanting for an hour or two before drinking. The most exotic of the St. Innocnet Pinots, from an incredibly low-yielding, old-vine, higher-elevation vineyard in the Dundee Hills.

Sipping the White Rose takes you back to the vineyard site, high above the Willamette Valley. There's always a light breeze, scenting the air with grass, wildflowers and wild herbs. The view is spectacular, like the wine. - Avalon

Previous Vintage Tasting Notes

2006 Vintage Tasting Notes

St. Innocent Pinot noir White Rose 06 is indulgence in a bottle. Building on the reputation of past White Rose offerings, the 2006 is sexy and forward, oozing with wild strawberry, trademark candied rose petal, and rhubarb notes. The palate is unstoppably lush, balanced by a pure streak of acidity and a gentle lift of minerality. Finishing long and sweet, the 06 may be the best White Rose yet from St. Innocent.

The St Innocent White Rose Pinot noirs are known as St Innocent's most hedonistic wines. It is typically dramtic and opulent, a gorgeous wine to enjoy rather than analyze. Previous Vintage tasting notes

The intricate, lovely rose petal perfumed nose is reiterated in the palate of this simply outstanding wine. White Rose Vineyard is capable of producing stellar fruit, and Mark Vlosak knows, perhaps better than anyone else, how to get the best from it. Flavors are simply hedonistic, with layers of black cherry and berry, soft, appealing spice, and richly toned hints of toast and vanilla. One of the best wines of the vintage, and one of the best White Rose Pinots we've had in 18 years of tasting Oregon.- Avalon Wine

From the winery:

This is our third vintage from White Rose. White Rose Vineyard is our highest elevation vineyard, at 832'. Located on a ridge above and to the west of Domaine Drouhin Oregon, it is our only Red Hills of Dundee vineyard site. The vineyard is owned by Greg Sanders and was planted in the early 1980's. Our grapes come from a two-acre block at the base of the vineyard planted with the Pommard clone of Pinot noir. Although it is our highest altitude site, it is also one of our ripest.

2004 was a classic, as well as a great, Oregon Vintage. 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

St. Innocent White Rose Pinot noir has acquired a well deserved reputation as our most hedonistic wine. It is the only wine that I do not focus on the details of aroma or flavor. Instead, I enjoy the pleasure, it is drop dead gorgeous. Aromas of perfectly ripe fruit and hints of sweet smoky oak, it fills your mouth with dark fruits and red flowers. Lush with ripe tannin, it is still quite young and should fill out even more through the end of 2006.

We have a hundred cases LESS of 2004 White Rose that usual. In a normal year, it is our smallest lot of Pinot noir. Snooze and you will loose. Drink it now or age it up to 8 years.