St Innocent Chardonnay Freedom Hill Vineyard
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Freedom Hill is located in the foothills of the coast range 10 miles southwest of Salem, Oregon.
- Oregon winemaker Mark Vlossak is justifiably acclaimed for his impressive single-vineyard Pinot noirs, and his touch with Chardonnay is no less fine.
Varietal Composition: 100% Chardonnay
Elaboration: During the day, warm air rises from the valley floor ripening the skins. At night, cool ocean breezes act to retain acidity. The Chardonnay blocks have a southwest exposure at an elevation of 520’ to 580′. The vines were planted in 2006 and 2007 with Dijon clones 76 and 548 on well-drained, very old sedimentary clay loam. The grapes were whole cluster pressed. After settling, the juice was barrel fermented with indigenous yeasts. The wine completed malolactic fermentation naturally and was aged sur lees for 11 months entirely in used French oak barrels.
Tasting Notes: Complex, dense, yellow, floral and fruit aromas on the nose are accented by stony minerality across the mid-palate. Flavors of peach, dried apple, nutmeg flavors are rich and bright with a touch of orange marmalade. Texturally very broad across the palate, the viscosity lingers long into the finish.
PRESS
2017 – 91 Wine Enthusiast
2018 – 92 James Suckling
2019 – 92 James Suckling | 94 Wine Enthusiast
2020 – 93 Wine Enthusiast
2021 – 91 Wine Spectator | 90 Vinous
PRODUCER BACKGROUND
St. Innocent Winery was established In 1988 by Mark Vlossak in Jefferson, Oregon. Named after his father, Mark spent five years studying, taking classes, and apprenticing with Oregon wine pioneer, Fred Arterberry in order to produce wines that respect the quality and tradition of the Old World in one of the newest and most exciting wine growing regions on the planet: Oregon’s Willamette Valley.