Bend Wine Cellar
Hours: Saturday 2-5pm
Thursday 3-5pm and by appointment


1444 College Way, Suite 8
Bend, OR 97701
541-385-9258
Wines Served Saturday, October 11th, 2008

2006 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard
The Pinot Noir wines made by Mark Vlossak at St. Innocent from Shea Vineyard have been favorites of ours because of the purity and intensity of the wine. Here are the winemaker's notes on this wine: "I believe that Shea Vineyard produces a very classic style of Pinot noir. These Pinot noirs emphasize elegance with good acidity, balanced flavors, well concentrated fruit, and nuances that are specific to the terroir of the vineyard. Because of their ripe tannins and supporting acidity, this style of Pinot noir is an excellent match with richly flavored foods.

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.

This Shea is a dark ruby color. Its nose is layered with dark spices, wild flowers and black fruit aromas with hints of tar and wet earth. You are immediately struck with the intensity of dark sweet fruit and very intense raspberry extract flavors. Texturally this wine is extremely dense, in keeping with the essential nature of '06 Oregon Pinot noirs with loads of sweet, ripe tannins. This is a powerhouse wine dressed in Escada. A soft and fresh acidity carries the bright fruit layers into the finish. I expect it to develop for more than a decade."


2006 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Anden Vineyard
This is the last vintage that St. Innocent will produce wine from the Anden Vineyard. It is a portion of what was the Seven Springs vineyard. Here are the winemaker's (Mark Vlossak) notes on this wine: "The 2006 Pinot noir, Anden has aromas of lush red and black fruits, spice, and pepper. Those same aromas are reflected onto the palate which is full with sweet berry fruits, pie spices, and hints of black pepper flavors. Immersed in the dark fruit components is an inherent sweetness and richness to the flavors that reflects widely over your palate. The tannins are ripe and substantial, and are in harmony with the powerful fruit. The '06 Anden will improve for 10-12 years.

Anden Pinot noirs have multiple layers of flavor. They match best with richly flavored foods with similar layers of flavor. Roast leg of lamb, duck, cassoulet, hearty beef roasts, and wild mushrooms are great matches. When drunk young, this Pinot will benefit by decanting with vigorous aeration 2-4 hours before serving."

2006 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Seven Springs Vineyard
This is the last vintage that St. Innocent will produce wine from the Sseven Springs Vineyard. These wines have been favorites of ours for over a decade. Here are the winemaker's (Mark Vlossak) notes on this wine: "In a vintage of richly fruited wines, the 2006 Seven Springs Pinot noir has remakable finesse, balance, and depth. The nose has red and blackberry fruits with allspice, ginger and white pepper. There is a dusty sub-tone to the aromas that reminds me of wild blackberries picked beside the road. Dark red and black raspberry fruit fruit flavors are layered with hints of mushroom, earthy spices and white pepper. The tannins are soft and rich and are remakably delicate and balanced. The finish is exceptionally long and layered with fruit and spice.

This is wine for game and wild mushrooms - those wild and earthy flavors in the food bring out all the layers in this wine. Roast leg of lamb, duck, cassoulet, hearty beef roasts, and wild mushroom risotto are great matches. When drunk young, this Pinot will benefit by decanting with vigorous aeration 2-4 hours before serving.

I suggest that you either drink Seven Springs when it is young (up to five years from vintage) or wait until it is at least eight years old. In the early years, you will enjoy the freshness of the fruit balanced with its rustic qualities. By waiting longer, aged flavors develop and Seven Springs will increase in both intensity and purity of its components. It will be worth the wait. Seven Springs Pinot noirs will continue developing for 12-15 years."






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Wine Quotes Wine can of their wits the wise beguile,
Make the sage frolic, and the serious smile.

- Homer, Odyssey (9th c. B.C.)