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2007 Pinot Noir
White Rose Vineyard Release Date: 5/26/2009 Availability: 396 cases Price: $48/bottle Production Notes White Rose Vineyard is located on a southeast-facing slope in the Dundee Hills AVA of Yamhill County. The vineyard was planted in 1980 at an elevation of 820' on deep Jory soil. It is protected from the prevaling winds by hills to the west and looks directly at the Cascade Mountains. The grapes were fermented in a small tank after two days of cold maceration. The wine aged for 16 months in 42% new French oak barrels and was bottled by gravity without fining. A small amount of sediment may accumulate during the aging process and is normal for wine produced in this manner. Crop Level 2.6 tons/acre The Pinot noir complements a wide variety of entrees, especially those with layered flavors. When served young, this wine is best if allowed to breathe for 1-2 hours. It is drinkable now and will benefit from aging up to 10 years. |
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Winemaker Notes
White Rose Vineyard is our only Dundee Hills AVA (appellation) vineyard. It is our highest elevation vineyard at 832' and is located on a ridge above and to the west of Domaine Drouhin Oregon. The vineyard is owned by Greg Sanders and was planted in the late 1970'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 always achieves full ripeness while maintaining a lovely backbone of acidity.
2007 was one of the more challenging harvests in the past decade. The season began early with sunny and dry weather in May and June. Bloom was about a week earlier than normal indicating that we would expect to begin picking in late September. The crop level was thinned significantly in late July targeting yields of between 2.1 and 2.7 tons per acre for Pinot noir.
September was cooler than normal and the cool weather continued into October. Intermittent rains slowed maturity and increased the risk of rot. Sunny periods between the rain events allowed the critical process of ripening and flavor development to continue. The tension mounted as waited and prayed for sun watching the acids soften, the tannin sweeten, and the flavors gain complexity. The first grapes were finally picked on October 5th, ten days later than expected. By October 15th, all of the fruit was picked, making 2007 our shortest harvest. The extended hang time produced exceptional white wines and complex, layered Pinot noirs.
Tasting notes
St. Innocent White Rose Pinot noir is my most hedonistic wine. I do not believe that focusing on the details of aroma or flavor serve to explain its true nature. Instead, it is very much about pleasure. It is drop dead gorgeous. It is what I drink when I want to relax and just enjoy the moment.
Lush aromas of orange peel, a bouquet of roses, ripe and very sweet red fruits and sweet spice dominate its nose. There are hints of white pepper and violet. The palate is rich and layered with red berries, black cherries, sweet spices, fleeting citrus and lavender hints. It feels in your mouth like rich silk between your fingers. The tannins are soft and round while softly coating your entire palate and throat. After swallowing, it actually increases in flavor and all of the fruit, citrus, and spice continues to express itself clearly on throughout you mouth. What more can I say? After experiencing this wine, people just shake their heads and stare into space.
You can match White Rose with a wide variety of entrees and meats. It is a great match with rich pasta dishes and comfort foods like meatloaf, bacon and ribs. Drink it now or age it up to 10 years.
Mark Vlossak, winemaker