The 2006 Oregon Pinot Noir vintage is looking great. Wine Spectator comments, “those who like the suppleness and relatively light texture of Oregon Pinot will want to stock up this year. 2006 saw a long, hot summer that got the grapes totally ripe. The flavors are sweet and the textures supple. Look for generous wines with higher alcohols than the moderate levels seen in 2004 and 2005. The wines have impressive depth and drink-me-now quality…The run ends in 2007, though, as heavy rains fell on a larger than normal grape crop just as it was ripening.” (Harvey Steiman, The Wine Spectator, Vol. 32, No. 15)
Growing up in Seattle, I have always been a huge fan of the Shea Vineyard (sourced by Panther Creek, Ken Wright, St Innocent, and even Sine Qua Non). I bought the 2006 Shea Wine Cellars - Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard Estate myself. The Shea Vineyard is the source for Oregon Pinot and this is a reference standard. If you want to do an interesting comparative tasting of vineyard-designate Pinot, start gathering the various renditions of the 2006 Shea Vineyard.
Currently in stock:
2006 Raptor Ridge Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard ($46)
A ginger and black cherry nose with soft undertones of mocha and vanilla dust. The palate shows well defined weight and deeply structured flavors; black berry, plum, hints of smoky licorice and kirsch that coat the palate with velvet-like tannins. Another Shea masterpiece. VF 96
- Doug Wilder, The Wilder Side of California, Issue 136
2006 Shea Wine Cellars Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard Estate ($45)
The nose shows violet and licorice/sassafras with cola and black cherry tart. The fat, powdered blueberry and violet ripeness on the palate is balanced by focused acidity. More structured than the 2005. VF 95
- Doug Wilder, The Wilder Side of California, Issue 143
