Avalon Wine one of "Ten Best Online Wine Shops" - Food & Wine Magazine, June 2007

St Innocent's Last 2005 Releases --
Anden & Seven Springs Pinot noirs

St Innocent's penultimate releases of single vineyard wines from Seven Springs and Anden Vineyards mark the beginning of the end of an era.

In an unbroken run since 1997, Mark Vlossak has produced some of his finest wines from these vineyards. That run ended with the 2006 vintage. Alas, to everyone's loss, Mark will no longer be sold fruit by the new owners and his last Anden and Seven Springs Pinot noirs will be the 2006 vintage.

Seven Springs and Anden Vineyards were originally one vineyard called Seven Springs. Mark made one wine from the vineyard. Divided into two vineyards in 2001 by a divorce, Mark then made two wines from the divided vineyard. Although Seven Springs and Anden Vineyards are contiguous, the wines produced from them can be quite different. In general, the older vine, lower elevation Anden Vineyard makes a more delicate, sophisticated Pinot than the younger vine, higher elevation Seven Springs Vineyard site.

St Innocent Anden Vineyard 05
$38.95/$35.05

Multifaceted old vine Pinot noir, with superb depth and character. Aromas of rich cherry and berry, with dusky spice, green peppercorns, and violets. Mixed berries swirl around rich black and red cherry flavors in umpteen layers. A touch of barrel toast melds with the fruit, and mingles with a classic Eola Hills herbal spice note on the finish. The juicy acidity adds a layer of complexity and suggests that this baby needs to occupy your cellar for a year or two, then explode into Oregon Pinot greatness.

St Innocent Seven Springs Vineyard 05
$38.95/$35.05

Oh the sweet taste of Seven Springs fruit handled by St. Innocent. The 05 Seven Springs begins with darker mixed berry and currant aromas, shaded by a background of earth. An initial burst of fruit flavors -- mixed berry, red currant, and hints of blueberry and plum -- are cut by zingy acidity. We love the way Mark Vlossak uses oak, and the barrel spice perfectly accents, never dominates.

Although the Seven Springs is normally the more forward of the pair, this wine is built for aging. Fine tannins, bright, juicy acidity, and a sweet core of dark fruit -- all in balance -- promise years of enjoyment.

St Innocent Seven Springs & Anden Pinot noir Case $419.90
Save $47.50 from $467.40 Retail Price

Case Contains:
6 - St Innocent Anden Vineyard Pinot noir 05 $38.95
6 - St Innocent Seven Springs Vineyard Pinot noir 05 $38.95

Read More about the sale of Anden & Seven Springs Vineyard

Read our Interview with Mark Vlossak (7-07)

Dusky Goose Pinot Noir 2005 $53.95 Now Available Seamlessly lush and constantly evolving, the 05 Dusky Goose again shows why it is an Avalon favorite. The nose opens with oodles of black fruit, with a brightness (freshness) that lifts the aromas from the glass. Truffled cream intertwines with dried herbs, rose petals, and cocoa powder. Black berry, black cherry, black raspberry, and dark red cherry vibrantly wrap around your palate. Supple fruit is lifted by the fresh acidity of the 2005 vintage, hinting at a long life in the cellar. The finish is full of subtle spice and barrel toast, mixing with sweet black fruit and re-emerging creamy truffle notes. After many seconds, super-fine tannins move like a feather around your mouth. The 05 Dusky evolves with each taste, one minute offering lushness, the next putting on a darker element and showing exotic barrel spice. The 2005 Dusky Goose: proof that sophistication and elegance can coexist with opulence in an Oregon Pinot noir.

We're available by phone at 541-752-7418 from
8 AM Pacific time until 6PM Pacific time, Monday through Saturday,
and we answer email on Sundays.

Marcus, Amy, Kevin, and Wendy, and Jean
541-752-7418

Avalon Wine
201 SW 2nd Street
Corvallis OR 97333
541-752-7418
www.avalonwine.com
store@avalonwine.com

Marcus Looze
VP Marketing & Sales
marcus@avalonwine.com
541-752-7418

Amy Paul
Customer Service
store@avalonwine.com
541-752-7418

Kevin Hanscom
Shipping Manager
store@avalonwine.com

Wendy Brown
Bookkeeper & Gourmet Sales
wendy@avalonwine.com

Jean Yates
President
jean@avalonwine.com
541-424-8004 (direct line)

If you wouldn't mind, to ensure that you continue to receive emails from us, add avalon@avalonwine.com to your email program's "approved senders" or "whitelist" list today.