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2004 Pinot Noir, Anden Vineyard
Release Date: 9/2006 Retail Price: $36 per bottles Production: 632 cases Production Notes Anden Vineyard (formerly part of Seven Springs Vineyard) overlooks the fertile Willamette Valley from its position in the hills west of Salem. Growing on a steep southeast slope, the vines are protected from maritime winds by a fold in the hills. The vineyard was planted in 1982 on Jory soil, a shallow clay over fractured rock, at an elevation of 400'. The grapes were fermented in a small tank after one day of cold maceration. The wine aged for 18 months in 50% new French oak barrels and was bottled after a light gelatin fining. This Pinot noir complements foods with rich and layered flavors - prime rib, stews, and cassoult. When served young, this wine is best decanted or allowed to breathe for several hours. It will benefit from aging up to 12 years. |
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Winemaker Notes
In 1988, I produced St. Innocent's first Pinot noir from grapes planted at Seven Springs Vineyard. All of the crops from 1988 - 1990 were limited by poor fruit set. In 1988 and 1989, the fruit from Seven Springs (now called Anden) was blended with Pinot noir from other sites to produce the 1988 Willamette Valley and the 1989 Reserve Pinot noirs. 1990 produced St. Innocent's first Seven Springs Vineyard designated Pinot noir (from what is now the Anden block).
St. Innocent commissioned a new block of Pinot noir, planted above the original block, which came into production in 1991. Those young vines were blended with the original block to produce the 1991 Pinot noir, Seven Springs Vineyard and all of Seven Springs Vineyard designated wines through the 2000 vintage. St. Innocent was the ONLY winery with Pinot noir made from a blend of both blocks.
The owners of Seven Springs divided the vineyard in 2001. The older, original block, sited lower on the hill, became Anden Vineyard. The upper block, which came into production in 1991, continued to be called Seven Springs. The 2001 and later Pinot noirs, Seven Springs Vineyard, closely resemble the previous Seven Springs vineyard wines. The Anden Vineyard Pinot noirs reflects a different terroir - one with more intensity and wildness.
Tasting Notes
The older vines bring more structure and black fruit to all of the Anden Vineyard Pinot noirs. The vineyard is now in good balance and produces wines with a sense of wildness integrated with sweet, dark fruit components. The difference in structure between the earlier vintages of Anden, and Seven Springs wines, has narrowed with increased health of the vines at the Anden site and the maturing of the Seven Springs vines.
The 2004 Pinot noir, Anden has lush wild, black fruit, spice, and pepper aromas. Those same aromas are reflected onto the palate which is full with dark berry fruits, pie spices, black pepper flavors. Immersed in the dark fruit components is an inherent sweetness and richness to the flavors that reflects widely over your palate. The tannins are ripe and substantial, and are in harmony with the powerful fruit. This is a blockbuster wine that needs 2-4 hours to open and will probably drink better the second day. All of the 2004s have the balance of acid and tannin and moderate alcohols that will allow them to age effortlessly. The '04 Anden will improve for at least 12 years.
Anden Pinot noirs have multiple layers of flavor. They match best with richly flavored foods with similar layers of flavor. Roast leg of lamb, duck, cassoulet, hearty beef roasts, and wild mushrooms are great matches. When drunk young, this Pinot will benefit by decanting with vigorous aeration 2-4 hours before serving.