TN: 2002 St. Innocent Pinot Noir Shea Vineyard

WINE TALK
1

Tasting note can be read here:

SP

2

Philip.

I’ve had some good bottles from Oregon that have been dead ringers for Burgundy. Most famously at one of our local offlines, a participant brought an Oregon wine and a top notch Burgundy from the same vintage, and the two wines were so close that we weren’t sure at the end of the night which wine was which.

This wine was equally impressive to me. It had a natural balance that I have never tasted in California Pinot, not even in the wines of my favorite producers (like Walter Hansel’s 2001 and 2002s).

SP

3

Thanks for the note. I have been waiting on mine. My first visit to Oregon included a stop at Mark’s old digs when the 02’s had just been released. I was quite impressed with the young. I want to let mine age for a while as they seem like they have all the stuffing for it.

4

thank you very much for the note! i started buying and holding wine when the 02 Oregon’s were coming out so I always appreciate how they are developing. I may open one by the end of the year…

5

Philip.

Very interesting comment. I thought the 2002 reminded me of a Volnay because of its more rustic tannins and dark fruit.

6

Steffen - thanks for the note. I am sitting on some 02’s from SI…patiently I might add.

7

I have a few bottle of this and have never tried any. Maybe time to crack one open?

8

Mo. When you open one of these, you will have two distinct feelings. The first is joy because this is an outrageously good bottle of wine. The second feeling is regret because the moment you drink this, you realize that as amazing as it is, it will clearly be better in 5 or 10 years when the tertiary aromas and flavors have intensified. That said, if you have a few, I would cheer you on to trying a Shea and leaving the Feedom Hill and Seven Springs in the cold cellar.

9

Anyone taste the 2003 St. Innocent Shea recently?? I have been eyeing my lone bottle recently.

10

I have this wine in the cellar, but I’ve been holding off. The 2003s always had more fruit and a little more “California-esqueness”, so I’ve been holding off hoping they would flesh out…

SP

11

I had a 02 Seven Springs a few months ago, absolutely tight as nails and now here near being ready to drink. That said, it had the material for greatness, if only given the time. Conversely, a recent showing of the 02 Belle Pente Murto, clearly showed a wine that was emerging from it’s formerly very tight shell, and in great fashion.

12

Thanks for the note. Been thinking about revisiting some 02s.

I have the 99 Shea and Brickhouse (sad he doesn’t still get that fruit) on deck right now.

Here is my note from last October. It has been awhile since I have had a positive experience with an 03 Oregon pinot :frowning:

10/14/2008 rated 86 points: Compared to the 7 springs, this is showing cleaner, less oaked aromatics. Not as hard hitting as the 7 Springs. The mid palate is rather round, followed by some finishing heat. The fruit is showing nicely and the finish is long but again I am not overly intrigued by the wine. The finish gained some length on the second day but I am not sure where this is going. >

Jason