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2008 Pinot Noir
White Rose Vineyard Release Date: 5/28/2010 Availability: 267 cases Price: $60/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 prevailing 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 45% new French oak barrels and was bottled by gravity without fining or filtration. Crop Level 2.2 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.
2008 was an exceptional vintage, made exceptional by being quietly ordinary. Bloom was very late in variable weather. The result was smaller clusters with fewer berries. The summer passed quickly with veraison occurring earlier than expected, leaving the false impression that there was more crop hanging in the vineyard than there really was. Final ripening took place in endless cool, sunny days in an atmosphere of calm that I have never experienced, but hope to again. The fruit was picked clean and perfectly ripe. The only downside was the very small crop, our smallest in ten years.
Tasting notes
St. Innocent White Rose Pinot noir is my most hedonistic wine. It is my one wine where an intellectual approach to the details of aroma and flavor are not helpful in explaining its true nature. Instead, this wine 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.
This is our last ever wine from this site high in the Dundee Hills planted with very old vines. This time it is truly amazing. Dense red raspberry aromas with layers of rich floral scents, it has very deep flavors of berries and a textural weight that is usually reserved for Justice Pinots. This is a mouth full of wine that is elegantly balanced. I am really in awe.
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