Extremely intense, ripe, almost (yet not) hot at 15.1% alcohol. Juicy and fruit-driven, this full-tilt, jammy wine packs lots of punch with its overflowing bowl of cherries and berries, but keeps itself on track with a zippy spine and dense, concentrated finish.
— P.G.
(8/1/2005)
There’s plenty of toast for the new-oakies, but it’s wrapped around lovely raspberry and plum fruit. Light notes of mint and leather add interest; the wine resonates nicely and gently fades rather than falling off a cliff. Not as massively ripe as the 2003, but equally fine.
— P.G.
(5/1/2006)
The Shea is the most dense and concentrated wine among the 2004s. Jammed with blackberry, cherry, plum, licorice and earthy tannins. Great concentration and a smoky, black-tea finish. This is one to tuck away for a few years.
— P.G.
(5/1/2006)
Concentrated and laced with appealing minerality, this single-block Pinot Noir is cellarworthy, but drinking beautifully right now. The crisp acids and flavors of ripe cherry and clean earth are well balanced. With extra breathing time, this reveals further complexities.
— P.G.
(8/1/2012)
This is an engaging mouthful of cherry-berry fruit soaked in toasty accents of mocha and caramel. Luscious and long, with a smooth, supple mouthfeel, it’s hard to keep your hands off it.
— P.G.
(8/1/2012)
Lovely aromatics here: raspberry jam and fresh-baked brioche. The tart, tangy fruit suggests cranberries and plums; it’s a light purple, beautifully clear and brilliant wine, a pleasure to look at as well as to savor. As before, it shows tremendous definition and balance; it’s beautifully structured, transparent and concentrated.
— P.G.
(5/1/2006)
Crisp, stony and mineral-infused, this wine shows tremendous definition and balance. It is beautifully structured, transparent and concentrated. Flavors of ripe berries, cranberry and pomegranate are set up with vivid acids and lead into a very long, satisfying finish.
— P.G.
(8/1/2005)
Pungent with tomato leaf and fresh-turned earth. Young and tight, spicy and earthy, this is a classic example of the Oregon style. The alcohol (presumably ripeness) is significantly lower than in past vintages, and the flavors follow suit. Watch this develop over the next five to eight years.
— P.G.
(7/1/2007)