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2006 Pinot Noir
Zenith Vineyard
Release Date: 5/24/08
Retail Price: $39.00
Availability: 167 cs.
Production Notes
Zenith, our estate vineyard, is centrally located in the Eola-Amity Hill AVA eleven miles northwest of Salem, Oregon. The grapes come from Pinot noir 777 clone in block 5C, established in 2002, which has a southwest slope of well-drained silty loam at an average elevation of 280'.
The destemmed grapes were fermented in a small tank after two days of cold maceration. The wine aged for 16 months in 50% new French oak barrels and was bottled without fining or filtration. A small amount of sediment may accumulate during the aging process and is normal for wine produced in this manner.
Crop Level: 2.2 tons/acre
Harvest: 10/5/06
Bottled: February 2008
This Pinot noir complements sweet meat entrees - grilled salmon, lamb chops, and filet. When served young, this wine is best if allowed to breathe for 1-2 hours. It is drinkable at release or will benefit from aging up to 5 years.
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Winemaker Notes
St. Innocent began producing wines from this site in 1989 when it was known as O'Connor Vineyard. We produced vineyard designated O'Connor Pinot noir for ten years, ending in 1998 when the vineyard was leased to Willamette Valley Vineyards. One of our customers, Tim and Kari Ramey purchased the vineyard in 2002. In early 2006, St. Innocent purchased a membership interest in the LLC and Zenith Vineyard, LLC and St. Innocent agreed to build a joint building. One part of the new facility would be an Event Center owned by Zenith and managed by Kari Ramey. The other part would be a new winery owned and operated by St. Innocent Winery. The winery portion was completed just in time for the 2007 harvest. The Event Center began operation in March 2008.
Zenith has been in the process of re-planting post-phylloxera. A total of 13.5 acres of Pinot noir has been planted for St. Innocent, with two acres currently in full production. The remaining acres will begin producing in 2009 and achieve maturity in 2012. We will plant an additional 2 acres of Riesling in Block 2, the old Chardonnay block.
2006 produced wines with great concentration. Moderate crop levels combined with a dry and warm final ripening phase produced berries that were slightly dehydrated and completely ripe. There is an intensity to all of our 2006 Pinot noirs: dark colors, ripe tannins, good acidity, and fully ripe fruit flavors.
Block 5C was in its 4th leaf in 2006. These young vines produced just enough wine to make seven barrels and represents St. Innocent's first "estate" wine. It will be sold only in Oregon and through our website.
Tasting Notes
Rich aromas of spice, smoky oak, and green peppercorns are mixed with black cherries and strawberry jam. Ripe red and black fruit flavors with spice and cedar notes and backed up by ripe tannins and moderate acidity. The wine's texture focuses on the mid-tongue with the spice and black fruits extending into the finish. Best enjoyed in its youth, it will develop more complexity over 5 years.
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