The 1998 Pinot Noir O'Connor Vineyard (this is the last vintage St. Innocent will produce from this site) is medium to dark ruby-colored, and offers hugely expressive and sweet black cherry and raspberry aromas. This velvety-textured, voluptuous, and supple wine is packed with multitudes of dark fruits, hints of spices, and exhibits first-rate, supple, ripe tannins in its extensive finish. Anticipated maturity: 2002-2009. Tel. (503)-378-1526.

The 1996 Pinot Noir O'Connor Vineyard is ruby-colored, and reveals red and black cherry aromas. It is harmonious, beautifully pure, and offers kirsch and blackberry flavors in its well-crafted, medium-bodied character. Its finish displays ripe, supple tannins. Tel: 503-378-1526

The 1994 Pinot Noir O'Connor Vineyard exhibits a healthy, dark ruby color with purple nuances, an earthy, black-cherry-scented nose, sweet, jammy, herb-tinged, black-cherry fruit, an expansive palate, medium to full body, excellent purity, and a long, well-balanced, rich finish. This powerful, concentrated Pinot Noir is already showing exceptionally well. It should drink well for 5-7 years. The O'Connor Vineyard averaged 1.4 tons of fruit per acre, with a production, sadly, of only 344 cases. Winemaker/proprietor Mark Volossak has turned in four superlative efforts in 1994. Only the Temperance Hill and O'Connor Vineyard have been released. The Seven Springs and Freedom Hill will be released in September. They are all gorgeously constructed Pinot Noirs with slight personality variations. Kudos to St. Innocent, which has had an enviable track record over the last few years.Tel. (503) 378-1526

St. Innocent's two outstanding Pinot Noirs are worth a special effort to find. The saturated, dark ruby/purple color of the 1992 Pinot Noir O'Connor Vineyard is followed by a super Pinot nose of black-raspberries and cherries, intertwined with spicy wood and loamy/earthy aromas. The wine is super-concentrated and full-bodied, with ripe tannin, an expansive, chewy, mouthfeel, excellent purity, and a long, lusty finish. Drink it over the next 6-7 years. St. Innocent has quickly emerged as one of the stars of Oregon winedom. Kudos to winemaker Mark Vlossak. Tel. (503) 378-1526.

The two Pinot Noirs exhibit complexity and a fine touch. The softer 1990 Pinot Noir-O'Connor Vineyard is reminiscent of the style of the Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noirs in 1988 and 1989. It offers a Cote de Beaune-like nose of spicy oak, cherries, and floral scents. Ripe and tasty, with a soft, velvety texture, smooth tannins, and a well-balanced, elegant personality, it is a delicious Pinot Noir for drinking over the next 4-5 years.