St Innocent 2021 Temperance Hill Pinot Noir

St. Innocent Winery is a respected Willamette Valley producer founded by winemaker Mark Vlossak, whose philosophy emphasizes vineyard expression, balanced acidity, and wines designed to complement food. St. Innocent is particularly known for its vineyard-designated Pinot Noirs, allowing distinctive sites throughout the Willamette Valley to retain their individual character.

Temperance Hill Vineyard sits high in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, northwest of Salem. It is an exposed, exceptionally cool site directly influenced by Pacific air flowing through the Van Duzer Corridor, resulting in later ripening and naturally vibrant acidity. St. Innocent's fruit comes from organically farmed blocks planted on thin, weathered volcanic basalt, including an East Block planted in 1984 that rises to approximately 870 feet.

Tasting Notes
Colour: Saturated ruby-red with youthful clarity.

Nose: Dark berries and black cherry lead into dried flowers, baking spice, grilled herbs, coffee bean, and subtle smoky notes, with crushed stone and volcanic earth adding complexity.

Palate: Medium- to full-bodied yet energetic, with tart cherry, raspberry, blackberry, and dark berry flavours carried by brisk acidity. Fine-grained tannins provide structure, while black tea, savoury herbs, spice, and mineral tones give the wine a distinctly cool-climate character.

Finish: Long, focused, and fresh, with persistent red fruit, spice, floral nuances, and stony minerality supported by gently grippy tannins.