TN: 2003 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Special Selection Anden (USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley)

  • 2003 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Special Selection Anden - USA, Oregon, Willamette Valley (6/9/2009)
    Trying to occasionally visit some 03s. I didn’t buy much but do have some of my favorite producers. This was delivering on the nose. Herbaceous Anden nose and a good amount of oak. Unlike 06 where the ripe fruit seems to present itself in a round California way, the 03s seem to move more toward hot alcoholic fruit. I didn’t find this overly hot but the balance on the fruit was just okay. Overall I was pleased with this 03 but am unsure of how it will progress. In the middle and finish the oak and tannins really clamp down. Not sure the fruit will survive that. Despite enjoying many 03s while young, I don’t expect any of mine to blow me away in the years to come. But you never know. (88 pts.)

Cheers,

Jason

Posted from CellarTracker

Your impression on this one matches my own from earlier this year pretty well, Jason. I didn’t find this to be over the top in ripeness or particularly hot, but I thought the tannins were pretty roughly textured and quite burly. Maybe some time will smooth things out, and since I have 3 more bottles, I guess I’m going to find out. Thanks for your note.