One word, amazing! Silky smooth, extremely well balanced, medium bodied, medium finish. The fruit is bright and wonderful on the palate. The best bottle of wine I’ve had in a long time. Sorry this is my last.
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Virtual Oregon Pinot thanks to Jason (Zoom): Poured into 4 jars for transport at 5pm, drank at 8pm and over 1 hour. SIlky, gorgeous, some light vanilla. My notes show I found this crazy modern just a year ago, it seems to have calmed down significantly or there's bottle variation, or maybe this one got more air. This was still modern but not in a crazy way.
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Virtual Pinots with a Little More (Home): Dark red color. PNP, transferred into jars for transport at 4:30pm; drank a glass single blind over 2 hours plus at 8:00pm. I agree with galewskj note from a couple years ago, and I look forward to his note from tonight. This is big, and I like the description of it being a cocktail wine. It comes off rather syrupy with ripe liqueurish black fruits in a not so subtle style of pinot noir. The nose has some nice dried forest floor notes to accent things, but there is a lot of vanilla still as well to go with a mix of ripe black and red fruits. The palate is fairly full bodied, ripe blackberry, ripe black cherry, cassis, earth, leather, vanilla and lots of wood and underbrush on the finish. There's still some tannic grip on the finish too. It is a particular style that will please many. 90+pts.
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Subsequent notes on this wine from over 5 years ago. Dark, deep violet in color with slight clearing at the edges. Full, forward & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blueberries & raspberries with floral notes, spice notes, earthy/dusty, some sandalwood, herbs, minerals, mocha & a hint of vanilla in the background. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of sweet dark cherries, blackberries & plums with spices, herbs, cocoa, some cherry cola notes, minerals & a hint of vanilla. Lingering smooth finish. Drinks quite well at present although at more than 12 years of age, it is at or close to its peak of development.
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The Vikings sucked, but the wines were good!; 1/15/2020-1/16/2020 (John's house): If you are looking for an elegant mineral/earthy Shea like St. Innocent's version, I suggest you drink St. Innocent Shea because this isn't it. This is the Paso Robles or Wagner family version of Shea pinot. Not that it sucks, but I have to discount it a little bit for being spoofy/too big/doesn't fit my expectation of any pinot noir.
Chocolatey, dense fruit, lots of black cherries. I didn't get much, if any alcohol/heat, so overall this wine is on the happy side. My note from years ago suggests that a 1 hour decant kills this wine which is believable. But as I drank it today as a pop and pour, it's a cocktail pinot, and if you're in the mood for that, this wine will deliver. That is as nice as I can be.
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Vikings were Bad but the Wines were Good!: If you are looking for Oregon classic Pinot character you are in the wrong place. This is a big style Pinot and was more concentrated than the two Cayuse wines. Cranberry, smoked meats, pepper and dark fruits. Almost Syrah like and not talking about the elegant versions you would find from Cayuse or Northern Rhone. I would avoid this if you are looking for balance and acidity. Looks like almost all the notes same the same thing which is big wine.
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Crowd pleaser and pleased me Rich and wonderful bright colour Sweet fruits, well balanced with discreet oak element Buxom in the loveliest most gratifying sense
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Pop and pour. Aromas of sweet cherry, strawberry, mushroom, touch of cranberry and a touch of spice. Flavors of cherry, strawberry, mushroom, touch of brown sugar and a touch of mineral. Ends with big finish of 40 second with cherry and nutmeg flavors. Hard to believe this was an 11 year old Pinot Noir. Tasted just as fresh as a current release. Reminded me why I have loved Shea Wine Cellars for so many years. I need to get some more of these wines because I'm running low.
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Decanted. (Not much sediment). Best after open for about 2 hours. Medium-Heavy body. Alcohol is unfortunately noticeable once it reaches optimum room temperature. Lovely flavor profile....Dark berries, mushroom, forest floor, baking spices. Silky Smooth. A little low on acidity and the finish is quick. While it is a very nice wine....for the price, we were not overly impressed.
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Bright ruby red. Ripe black raspberries, sweet dark cherries, spice and violet floral notes on the nose. Medium bodied, well balanced, smooth, rich, ripe dark cherry, dark raspberries and spices on the palate. Long smooth finish. A dramatic difference from the 2009 Homer tasted at the Knightsbridge Oregon wine tasting from the same cellar 3/25/18
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Massive wine for a pinot....big, ripe tannic and almost 15% alcohol. Evolving at a snail's pace too. Stylistically not for me, of the Shea offerings I prefer the Block 5 & 31 to this
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You need to let this sit for a while after you open it - big fruit bomb PN when first open it mellows out a little after sits but still too fruity for my liking- black cherry and blueberry but unbalanced wine
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Dark, deep violet in color. Full, forward & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blueberries & raspberries with floral notes of violets, spice notes of allspice, nutmeg & cloves, earthy/dusty, sandalwood, herbs, minerals, dark cocoa, mocha & a hint of vanilla. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of balanced, silky smooth textured, plush, lush & rich, ripe fruit flavors of sweet dark cherries, jammy blackberries & plums with spices, herbs, earthy, cocoa, some cherry cola notes, minerals & a hint of vanilla. Lingering smooth finish. Drinks quite well at present and has the ripe fruit & firm structure to continue development with additional (& needed) aging.
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Big wine, not characteristic of a Pinot, except on the nose. Lovely fruit & berrys. Dark in colour, and big taste. Decanted for 2 or more hours based on previous feedback, but think this will keep longer. Lovely.
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Pop and pour and served with food. Followed over two hours. Will re-cork and check in again. Initial impressions: Dark color. Nose is of black fruits with an almost gamy quality, like proscuitto. Rich fruit profile; a bit like an amarone. Some dried fruit character. Tasted the following day with food (some roast lamb and pizza rustica, an egg, cheese and cured pork dish). This is a big wine that still shows some dried fruit. The gamy notes are not as present. The ripe, sweet dark fruits show through but leave the wine a little flat.
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I agree fully with the previous reviewer who identified this as a surprisingly big wine that needs decanting....and this is not my ideal for pinot noir
Stylistically i prefer their Block 31 most in this vintage
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Consistent with last tasting - rich and opulent, yet earthy; beautifully integrated. I tried this alongside a 2006 Meyer-Nakel Spatburgunder Gros Gewachs. Oregon wins.
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Deep red blue ruby. Clean, laser-point nose with tight black and red berry fruit, allspice, pepper, clove and an earthy spice. Palate is quiet; rich, balanced, moderate + intensity and long finish. Flavors of black cherry, sandalwood, brandied blackberry, mocha, sasparilla cola and fresh earth. Way too young, hold for 12-18 months...
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seemed much too young, a lot of pent-up energy, i.e intense but tight fruit. Had a green seed flavor which I hope will resolve itself with time. Will wait at least 18 months before trying again.
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Memorial Weekend Wine Tasting (Chehalem Mountains & Carlton, OR): Lots of structure with this one. Spices, some cherry fruit, but everything is really hiding behind the tannins. Hard to drink, it is so drying, and I finally gave up and dumped it. Could be a blockbuster 5-6 years down the road, but currently way to tiring to consume.
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Memorial Day weekend tasting, 2008 Oregon Pinot Noir barrel samples (Northern Willamette Valley): Barrel sample, to be bottled in a few months. Cinnamon, clove, pretty raspberry, and fruit reduction on the nose. Less destinctive on the palate than the nose would have suggested, and quite drying. This is a big wine on the finish... fantastic size with grace and showing a beautiful finish. This has a big potential upside. (91-94 points)
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11/22/2021 - AMG4RPM wrote: 86 Points
Odd notes of petrol, not much fruit. Disappointing for a “Homer”
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9/26/2021 - The Bugle Likes this wine:
Just drank our last bottle as well…. :-(
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8/28/2021 - sanjuanlewis Likes this wine: 96 Points
One word, amazing! Silky smooth, extremely well balanced, medium bodied, medium finish. The fruit is bright and wonderful on the palate. The best bottle of wine I’ve had in a long time. Sorry this is my last.
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2/4/2021 - galewskj wrote: 92 Points
Virtual Oregon Pinot thanks to Jason (Zoom): Poured into 4 jars for transport at 5pm, drank at 8pm and over 1 hour. SIlky, gorgeous, some light vanilla. My notes show I found this crazy modern just a year ago, it seems to have calmed down significantly or there's bottle variation, or maybe this one got more air. This was still modern but not in a crazy way.
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2/4/2021 - rocknroller wrote: 90 Points
Virtual Pinots with a Little More (Home): Dark red color. PNP, transferred into jars for transport at 4:30pm; drank a glass single blind over 2 hours plus at 8:00pm. I agree with galewskj note from a couple years ago, and I look forward to his note from tonight. This is big, and I like the description of it being a cocktail wine. It comes off rather syrupy with ripe liqueurish black fruits in a not so subtle style of pinot noir. The nose has some nice dried forest floor notes to accent things, but there is a lot of vanilla still as well to go with a mix of ripe black and red fruits. The palate is fairly full bodied, ripe blackberry, ripe black cherry, cassis, earth, leather, vanilla and lots of wood and underbrush on the finish. There's still some tannic grip on the finish too. It is a particular style that will please many. 90+pts.
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1/25/2021 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 92 Points
Subsequent notes on this wine from over 5 years ago. Dark, deep violet in color with slight clearing at the edges. Full, forward & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blueberries & raspberries with floral notes, spice notes, earthy/dusty, some sandalwood, herbs, minerals, mocha & a hint of vanilla in the background. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of balanced & smooth textured, ripe fruit flavors of sweet dark cherries, blackberries & plums with spices, herbs, cocoa, some cherry cola notes, minerals & a hint of vanilla. Lingering smooth finish. Drinks quite well at present although at more than 12 years of age, it is at or close to its peak of development.
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11/8/2020 - sooper65 wrote: 89 Points
Bit gloopy. Wanted more vibrancy. Did taste very Burgundian but lacking complexity and loveliness
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1/15/2020 - galewskj wrote: 91 Points
The Vikings sucked, but the wines were good!; 1/15/2020-1/16/2020 (John's house): If you are looking for an elegant mineral/earthy Shea like St. Innocent's version, I suggest you drink St. Innocent Shea because this isn't it. This is the Paso Robles or Wagner family version of Shea pinot. Not that it sucks, but I have to discount it a little bit for being spoofy/too big/doesn't fit my expectation of any pinot noir.
Chocolatey, dense fruit, lots of black cherries. I didn't get much, if any alcohol/heat, so overall this wine is on the happy side. My note from years ago suggests that a 1 hour decant kills this wine which is believable. But as I drank it today as a pop and pour, it's a cocktail pinot, and if you're in the mood for that, this wine will deliver. That is as nice as I can be.
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1/11/2020 - 3daywinereview.com wrote: 91 Points
Vikings were Bad but the Wines were Good!: If you are looking for Oregon classic Pinot character you are in the wrong place. This is a big style Pinot and was more concentrated than the two Cayuse wines. Cranberry, smoked meats, pepper and dark fruits. Almost Syrah like and not talking about the elegant versions you would find from Cayuse or Northern Rhone. I would avoid this if you are looking for balance and acidity. Looks like almost all the notes same the same thing which is big wine.
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11/10/2019 - sooper65 wrote: 94 Points
Really lovely pure and generous Pinot. Very well made, and over delivers. I could drink a lot of this.
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9/19/2019 - sooper65 wrote: 93 Points
Crowd pleaser and pleased me
Rich and wonderful bright colour
Sweet fruits, well balanced with discreet oak element
Buxom in the loveliest most gratifying sense
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8/23/2019 - slywka7 Likes this wine: 95 Points
Pop and pour. Aromas of sweet cherry, strawberry, mushroom, touch of cranberry and a touch of spice. Flavors of cherry, strawberry, mushroom, touch of brown sugar and a touch of mineral. Ends with big finish of 40 second with cherry and nutmeg flavors. Hard to believe this was an 11 year old Pinot Noir. Tasted just as fresh as a current release. Reminded me why I have loved Shea Wine Cellars for so many years. I need to get some more of these wines because I'm running low.
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7/26/2019 - sooper65 wrote: 95 Points
First bottle. This is gorgeous; sweet Pinot fruit with weight. The alcohol gives away this as being non-Burgundian; lovely balance to this. Spot on.
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8/31/2018 - brian przyzycki wrote: 88 Points
disappointed in these. I love Shea's wines but this great year didn't pan out.
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8/19/2018 - wine4ever Likes this wine: 91 Points
Decanted. (Not much sediment). Best after open for about 2 hours. Medium-Heavy body. Alcohol is unfortunately noticeable once it reaches optimum room temperature. Lovely flavor profile....Dark berries, mushroom, forest floor, baking spices. Silky Smooth. A little low on acidity and the finish is quick. While it is a very nice wine....for the price, we were not overly impressed.
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3/27/2018 - Cellar notes by DB Likes this wine: 92 Points
Bright ruby red. Ripe black raspberries, sweet dark cherries, spice and violet floral notes on the nose. Medium bodied, well balanced, smooth, rich, ripe dark cherry, dark raspberries and spices on the palate. Long smooth finish. A dramatic difference from the 2009 Homer tasted at the Knightsbridge Oregon wine tasting from the same cellar 3/25/18
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5/13/2017 - kr522 wrote: 89 Points
Massive wine for a pinot....big, ripe tannic and almost 15% alcohol. Evolving at a snail's pace too. Stylistically not for me, of the Shea offerings I prefer the Block 5 & 31 to this
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1/8/2017 - spalt Likes this wine: 91 Points
Deep, dark, extremely balanced wine that lingers. Decanted for one hour. Opened up a bit at the end. Enjoyed on a winter evening by the fire.
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6/11/2016 - Ben Christiansen wrote:
Rich big fruit, still has its oak on it, relatively just opened, might grow in or flesh out. ANd that is super big.
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3/19/2016 - Naso wrote: 87 Points
You need to let this sit for a while after you open it - big fruit bomb PN when first open it mellows out a little after sits but still too fruity for my liking- black cherry and blueberry but unbalanced wine
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12/19/2015 - Vinnut Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark, deep violet in color. Full, forward & attractive nose of ripe fruit aromas of dark cherries, blueberries & raspberries with floral notes of violets, spice notes of allspice, nutmeg & cloves, earthy/dusty, sandalwood, herbs, minerals, dark cocoa, mocha & a hint of vanilla. Medium-full bodied with a very good concentration of balanced, silky smooth textured, plush, lush & rich, ripe fruit flavors of sweet dark cherries, jammy blackberries & plums with spices, herbs, earthy, cocoa, some cherry cola notes, minerals & a hint of vanilla. Lingering smooth finish. Drinks quite well at present and has the ripe fruit & firm structure to continue development with additional (& needed) aging.
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3/5/2015 - cubswinws Likes this wine: 93 Points
Dark color and big nose and fruit. Long finish with spice on the finish. Not sure I would have pegged this as a pinot blind.
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12/21/2014 - V8 BUGS Likes this wine: 90 Points
Big wine, not characteristic of a Pinot, except on the nose. Lovely fruit & berrys. Dark in colour, and big taste. Decanted for 2 or more hours based on previous feedback, but think this will keep longer. Lovely.
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11/7/2014 - pablopilot wrote: 93 Points
Has to be about at its flavor peak.
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4/20/2014 - t_moderne wrote: 86 Points
Pop and pour and served with food. Followed over two hours. Will re-cork and check in again. Initial impressions:
Dark color. Nose is of black fruits with an almost gamy quality, like proscuitto. Rich fruit profile; a bit like an amarone. Some dried fruit character.
Tasted the following day with food (some roast lamb and pizza rustica, an egg, cheese and cured pork dish).
This is a big wine that still shows some dried fruit. The gamy notes are not as present. The ripe, sweet dark fruits show through but leave the wine a little flat.
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11/30/2013 - kr522 wrote: 91 Points
I agree fully with the previous reviewer who identified this as a surprisingly big wine that needs decanting....and this is not my ideal for pinot noir
Stylistically i prefer their Block 31 most in this vintage
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7/17/2013 - Weston3220 wrote:
4th Annual Pinot Extravaganza with Salmon Dinner (Eugene, Oregon): This was a interesting wine, was put in a decanter, now I know why they did that, was so massive, it really did scream out for a steak, dark, savory, sturctured.
Conc: was a good wine, but wasnt my style
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4/21/2013 - peterk wrote: 93 Points
Consistent with last tasting - rich and opulent, yet earthy; beautifully integrated. I tried this alongside a 2006 Meyer-Nakel Spatburgunder Gros Gewachs. Oregon wins.
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2/10/2013 - StephenDavis Likes this wine: 94 Points
Lovely wine. Let it open for a couple of hours. Had it with ribs. Tannins integrated. Rich, meaty with fruit (but not overwhelming). Beautiful.
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11/17/2012 - peterk wrote: 92 Points
Rich, opulent, big, fruity, spicy Pinot Noir - tannins completely integrated. this is so good. My first Willlamette Valley Pinot - a great start.
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2/14/2011 - xtian wrote: 91 Points
Big willamette meaty, fruity pinot.
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11/26/2010 - cubswinws wrote: 93 Points
This is a great wine. Big and fruity. awesome pinot.
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9/20/2010 - sethmorgenlong wrote:
Deep red blue ruby. Clean, laser-point nose with tight black and red berry fruit, allspice, pepper, clove and an earthy spice. Palate is quiet; rich, balanced, moderate + intensity and long finish. Flavors of black cherry, sandalwood,
brandied blackberry, mocha, sasparilla cola and fresh earth. Way too young, hold for 12-18 months...
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2/23/2010 - Rubz1 wrote: 95 Points
drunk with Michael and Amy and brined pork chops
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11/27/2009 - ekirby wrote: 90 Points
seemed much too young, a lot of pent-up energy, i.e intense but tight fruit. Had a green seed flavor which I hope will resolve itself with time. Will wait at least 18 months before trying again.
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5/23/2009 - RPerro wrote: 86 Points
Memorial Weekend Wine Tasting (Chehalem Mountains & Carlton, OR): Lots of structure with this one. Spices, some cherry fruit, but everything is really hiding behind the tannins. Hard to drink, it is so drying, and I finally gave up and dumped it. Could be a blockbuster 5-6 years down the road, but currently way to tiring to consume.
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5/23/2009 - David Paris (dbp) wrote: 92 Points
Memorial Day weekend tasting, 2008 Oregon Pinot Noir barrel samples (Northern Willamette Valley): Barrel sample, to be bottled in a few months. Cinnamon, clove, pretty raspberry, and fruit reduction on the nose. Less destinctive on the palate than the nose would have suggested, and quite drying. This is a big wine on the finish... fantastic size with grace and showing a beautiful finish. This has a big potential upside. (91-94 points)
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