St. Innocent Riesling Temperance Hill Vineyard
WHY WE LOVE IT
- Fermentation in stainless steel is slow, keeping residual sugar below 1% for a nearly dry wine.
- Temperance Hill Vineyard is located in the Eola-Amity Hills AVA, ten miles NW of Salem, Oregon.
- The Riesling grapes are planted on the very top of the Postes Verde block on very thin volcanic soil. The altitude, wind exposure, and struggle create grapes that reveal a strong sense of place.
- This vineyard is organically farmed.
- Enjoy now or age several years.
Varietal Composition: 100% Riesling
Elaboration: The grapes are harvested early, with a pH below 3.0 and less than 20 Brix, to produce a “Kabinett Halbtrochen” style. Fermentation occurs slowly in stainless steel, with residual sugar kept just under 1%, making the wine nearly dry.
Tasting Notes: Pale, green-gold. Aromas of Asian pear, peach, nutmeg, with notes of fusel oil and carnations. It enters your mouth with lovely viscosity, bright and juicy acidity, flavors of ripe apricot, peach compote, and applesauce. Spices add complexity into its very broadly textured, palate fulling, and very extended finish.
PRESS
2022 – 93 Decanter | 90 James Suckling
2023 – 93 Decanter | 91 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.