WTN: A Pink Pape and a Freedom Hill

[Jenise]

2016 Tranche Cellars Pink Pape Blackrock Vineyard Yakima Valley
Very pale, dry, and sophisticated on the palate. Blind, would have guessed Provence. Light strawberry and melon notes with just a hint of coconut on the finish. Tranche, btw, is the Rhone label for Corliss Winery, one of Washington's super A List wineries, probably not known well outside of the state due to small production and high bottle cost.

2011 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Freedom Hill Vineyard Willamette Valley
Drinking very well right now. Fruit and acidity are in perfect balance with black plums, incense and grippy tannins (as expected from this vineyard). Alarmingly, the fruit started dropping out after about an hour and a half--some on CT think this wine has the stuffing to hold until 2024, but I'm not sure.

I had the same St Inno about two weeks ago and found it much like you described, except that I didn't think the fruit dropped out so much as more earthy and savory elements came to the fore.

[Jenise]

I had the same St Inno about two weeks ago and found it much like you described, except that I didn't think the fruit dropped out so much as more earthy and savory elements came to the fore.

Might be bottle variation. Mine definitely dropped out, the tannins completely took over and became harsh. Did you buy the same '11 Mixed case I did? Great deal--about $20 per bottle for the case.

Yup, same mixed case deal.

[Jenise]

Thought you might! Interesting exploration of one winemaker/six vineyards. My favorite has been the Temperence Hill, which surprises me as in the past I hadn't been such a fan. Yours?

Out of that batch of wines I was surprised to like Zenith the most, until this latest bottle of Freedom Hill. I'll have to dig into the collection to see if I have a Temperance left to compare. I usually like the Shea, but for me, the 2011 is taking its time coming around. Every time I come across a bottle of it I remind myself to wait.

[Jenise]

Out of that batch of wines I was surprised to like Zenith the most, until this latest bottle of Freedom Hill. I'll have to dig into the collection to see if I have a Temperance left to compare. I usually like the Shea, but for me, the 2011 is taking its time coming around. Every time I come across a bottle of it I remind myself to wait.

Bob noticed that the FH had a suggested drinking window of ten years on the back label--I don't recall St. Inno doing that, and didn't even look. Wonder if the other vineyards' bottles all include drinking windows?