'99, '02 OR PNs, which to buy?

WINE TALK
1

Recently found some '99 and '02 Oregon Pinot noirs for sale with good provenance. Wondering which one(s) folks would recommend.
1999 Sineann Reeds and Reynolds
1999 Bethel Heights SE Block
2002 St. Innocent Anden
2002 St. Innocent Shea

All are priced very similar.

Cheers,
Mark

2

Ignore the Sineann unless your tastes run to syrah.

Buy all the rest.

3

Bob…you have a problem with Syrah?

4

Only when it’s made from pinot noir.

5

Mark…alas I have 2 more bottles (from a case) of the dreadful 98 Bethel SE Block. Screaming acidity that dragged that puppy up and down the road…

Disregard if you have other data points, but try before you buy the 99… [berserker.gif]

6

The St I’s are a great bet especially the 02’s.

7

I’d say you are in good shape with any of those. 99 is such a great vintage and structured well enough that even a fruitier offering like the Sineann (and I love the winery) will hold up fine.

The BHSBR is a terrific wine (I still have a few bottles) and built for aging - not nearly as fruit forward as anything from Sineann, but well balanced and will last for years.

Although I don’t recall having the 02 Anden, St. I wines are also on the ageworthy side. Mark’s wines aren’t as minerally (and show more fruit) than in earlier years, but they still will last.

I’m little help, because I don’t think you can go wrong with any of these. And both vintages are stellar (though I prefer 99). Gun to my head, I’d say Shea, Sineann, BH, Anden - but these are all fine wineries - you really can’t go wrong.

8

02 St. Innocents are terrific. If you bump into the White Rose, this is a must purchase in 02 OR Pinot. I threw it into a blind Chambolle tasting as a ringer because this wine struck me as the most Chambolle-like OR wine I’ve ever had. Many great palates at this tasting: near unanimous result–1st place. (I actually had it second, behind a delicous Bonnes Marres). Bottom line, this was seamless, sheeny and had that Chambolle-like lavender liquer or kirsch note that ran throught the wine as a bass note with nice acid and noble tannin. Did I mention how much I liked this wine?


best,

Doug

9

Well, if you dont want the Sineann’s, please let me know where I can get them. The 99’s are drinking quite well. I know Bob doesn’t like the winery, but Syrah? Please. They were fruit forward on release, but have evolved beautifully. I am also a fan of the 02 St. I’s.

Disclaimer- I have been friends with the owner-winemaker of Sineann for thirty years and drink a lot of their wines.

10

Thanks for all the input guys. I tentatively put my name on the '02 St. Innocent Anden for now, and will get back over to the shop in coming days to make sure I didn’t overlook any others before purchasing. Certainly looking forward to tasting some OR Pinot with some age on it, though sounds like the Anden may need a few more years from what Ive read elsewhere.

11

I would say buy them all if you can. I haven’t had any Sinnean that old but would love to try it. Personally, I would like to try as many 99’s any 02’s that I could get my hands on- within reason $$$ of course. [berserker.gif]