January 9, 2016 - I can't help but think about Kosta Browne as I sip this. It's Pinot, it's big, and it has 1% Syrah. This has lots of ripe red fruit, spices , and earth. Bottle is full of acidity and chunks.
November 18, 2015 - Best bottle yet; will be sorry when I drink my last one. 2006 was criticized as a hot vintage with little staying power, but this has continued to improve with age. Garnet color, beginning to fade on the edges. Robust dark fruits and cola on the palate. Remains well balanced with a medium finish. This is a robust PN, not for those who prefer a lighter more elegant style.
May 3, 2013 - Dark color for pinot, earthy, baking spice notes on the nose with rich flavors on the palate of baked cherries, blackberries, cinnamon, and clove. A little bigger than many WV pinots, but overall not bad.
November 10, 2012 - Ripe red fruits on the nose. The palate matches - it's round and rich, but also somewhat one dimensional.... different from what I've seen with other 06 Oregon Pinots, especially one sourced from Shea. I don't see more bottle time having any further impact, so I suggested enjoying this over the holiday season - no one at the table will be upset..... it's developed into a very smooth and tasty wine.
August 17, 2012 - Very tasty, but think the 2006 Vista Hills was better. And thats just odd, Shea is always one of our favorite vineyards.
May 25, 2012 - See previous note. lots of smoke on the nose. good acidity. Solid fruit. Like this a lot.
May 7, 2012 - Celebrated son's graduation from college. Decanted 1 hour, tastes as delicious as my last bottle (3/31/12). Only 3 left in my cellar.
May 6, 2012 - Drinking well
March 31, 2012 - Pop and pour at our Friday wine and snacks group. A little tight at first, but opened up nicely after about an hour. Aromas of an old growth fir forest, mushrooms, dark fruits and smoke. Robust style of pinot, more suited for steak than salmon, but well balanced, smooth and medium finish. Good combination of dark plum, blackberry, chocolate and cola against a background of volcanic minerality and smoke. At its peak; need to drink remaining bottles soon. Not really designed to age much longer.
February 7, 2012 - Good earthiness and cherry on the nose, also black tea. On the palate the- more of the same-with cherries and earth and also some cherry stem... but lacking a little complexity. The acidity could've been more lively, and the wood a little subtler, but overall an easy to drink, flattering style of pinot. Med length. Good now. Wouldn't wait too much.