St. Innocent Temperance Hill Vineyard Pinot Noir 2018
- v94
- we90
Category | Red Wine |
Varietal | |
Brand | St. Innocent |
Origin | United States, Oregon, Willamette Valley |
Alcohol/vol | 13.5% |
Vinous
- v94
Dark, bright-rimmed scarlet. Mineral-accented raspberry, cherry and exotic spice aromas are complemented by a potpourri note and a hint of smokiness. Shows impressive energy and definition on the palate, offering vibrant red berry, bitter cherry, rose pastille and spicecake flavors supported by a spine of smoky minerality. Finishes impressively long and taut, with an intriguing blood orange flourish and discreet tannins. I had the chance to re-taste the 2016 sibling of this wine, and compared to the 2017 it's a more powerful rendition but in no way heavy. There's a somewhat darker profile to the fruit and more heft on the palate, but the vibrancy and cut of this 2017 are really compelling, making it more to my personal preference. I wouldn't kick either one out of the cellar for eating crackers or crusty baguettes.
Wine Enthusiast
- we90
This even-tempered wine deftly combines scents and flavors of hay, peat, strawberries and mushrooms. It's not a big wine but well balanced and lingers gracefully through a modest finish.