St Innocent - Freedom Hill Vineyard Chardonnay 2018 (750ml)
Price: $29.99
| Producer | St Innocent |
| Country | United States |
| Region | Oregon |
| Subregion | Willamette Valley |
| Varietal | Chardonnay |
| Vintage | 2018 |
| Sku | 1-104063 |
| Size | 750ml |
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The St. Innocent 2018 Chardonnay from Freedom Hill Vineyard is a remarkable and complex expression of Oregon Chardonnay, showcasing winemaker Mark Vlossak's dedication to creating wines that vividly reflect their unique vineyard origins. This bottling is a testament to the quality of the esteemed Freedom Hill Vineyard, located in the foothills of the Coast Range, southwest of Salem.
Sourced from Dijon clones 76 and 548 planted on old, well-drained sedimentary soils, the vineyard benefits from warm air rising from the valley floor and cool ocean breezes that help retain acidity. The warm and dry 2018 vintage produced clean fruit with lovely flavors and ripe tannins. The winemaking is meticulous and traditional: grapes are whole cluster pressed, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and complete a natural malolactic fermentation. The wine is then aged sur lies (on its lees) for 11 months entirely in used French oak barrels, a process that builds a broad, viscous texture without imparting new oak flavors.
The result is a dense and complex Chardonnay. It presents with yellow floral and fruit aromas on the nose, which are accented by a distinct stony minerality across the mid-palate. Flavors of rich peach, dried apple, and a touch of nutmeg and orange marmalade are both rich and bright. The wine's impressive viscosity lingers long into the finish, making it a perfect match for rich white meat or vegetarian dishes with complex sauces.
