The 2005 Pinot Noir “White Rose Vineyard,” located in the Red Hills of Dundee, provided only 1.7 tons an acre in this vintage. It offers an earthy component as well as aromatic black cherry and black raspberry aromas. This is followed by a mouth-filling wine made in a racy, elegant style. The wine is nicely balanced and has enough structure to evolve for 3-5 years.
Owner/winemaker Mark Vlossak operates his winery out of an industrial park in Salem. He sources from some of the finest sites in the Willamette Valley, turning out flavorful Pinot Gris, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pinot Noir, selling them at remarkably fair prices. Check out St.-Innocent’s website for Vlossak’s harvest reports to get the lowdown on recent vintages and to see how a skilled winemaker adapts to the varied conditions presented by the region’s fickle weather.
Tel. (503) 378-1526; www.stinnocentwine.com. Also tasted: 2005 Pinot Gris “Vitae Springs Vineyard (91), 2005 Pinot Gris “Shea Vineyard” (92), 2005 Pinot Blanc “Freedom Hill Vineyard (90), 2005 Chardonnay “Freedom Hill Vineyard (92), 2005 Chardonnay “Anden Vineyard” (91)