2010 St. Innocent, Pinot Noir “Temperance Hill Vineyard” Eola-Amity Hills, Willamette Valley, Oregon.
This striking and immensely pleasing Pinot Noir is one of the highlights from this difficult year in the Willamette Valley, so don’t shy away from the St. Innocent Temperance Hill as it really is a stunner. The 2010 Temperance shines with heady floral tones and minerality along with impressive depth and lovely layers of fruit with violets, dried roses and lavender/pepper herby spices leading to beautifully pure cherry, plum and mountain berry fruits. There is an earthy/truffle note and touches of subtle oak that add complexity and a silky texture that is hard not to fall in love with. St. Innocent has been off the radar, but I can’t imagine why as these wines are some of the best out there and continue to blow me away every vintage and I recommend sampling them as soon as possible as there are joyous Pinots and very elegant in every way.
($45 Est.) 94 Points, grapelive
