St. Innocent Zenith Vineyard Pinot Noir 2012
The 2012 St. Innocent Zenith Vineyard has the sort of paradoxical ying-yang balance that some Pinot seems to tread. It flirts on the edge of masculine character, sporting deep violet glints and near opacity in the glass. Woodsy earthy tones give way to blackberry and black cherry, black tea and tobacco and a modest touch […]
Brooks Muska Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills Riesling 2014
Brooks will be offering a series of vineyard designate Rieslings, and the 2014 Muska Vineyard Eola-Amity Hills is technically a pre-release, look for these wines in the fall. Riesling grown at Muska is dry farmed and is seated in well-drained Gelderman soil. Invitingly rich notes of apricot, quince, apple blossom, and spice give way to […]
Brooks Eola-Amity Hills Sweet P Riesling 2014
Such a treat to attend Brooks Wines first University session led by Alder Yarrow and Brooks’ talented winemaker, Chris Williams. As Alder put it, the 2014 Sweet P Riesling is “fresh as a button.” Spot on, Mr. Yarrow, in addition, lilting notes of green apples, white peaches, spring flowers, mint and the merest hint of […]
Brooks Rastaban Pinot Noir 2011
From 100% estate-grown fruit, Brooks Rastaban Pinot Noir 2011 is a wine of fantastic contrasts and angles. The nose comes across as dark and brooding, laden with black cherries and blackberries, minerals and dried rose petals. On the palate, however, it presents a lighter body than expected [more or less on the light side of […]
St. Innocent Temperance Hill Pinot Noir 2012
We drank the 2005 St. Innocent Temperance Hill Pinot Noir on the same evening in order to compare it with the 2012. While the ’05 has more nuanced layers and aromatics at this stage, but the 2012 shows considerable promise. Black raspberry and black cherry aromas lead into fragrant lavender, anise and crushed stones. On […]
St. Innocent Temperance Hill Pinot Noir 2005
Some really lovely, complex secondary notes on this well-evolved St. Innocent Temperance Hill Pinot Noir 2005. Dusty earth, pie cherry, cranberry relish, and candied orange peel, and hints of dried roses. The oak has fully integrated at this point, and the balance struck by this classic Willamette Valley Pinot is rather lovely. It’s medium-bodied, with […]