Product Overview
Vineyard Notes
Shea Vineyard is located in the Yamhill-Carlton District AVA, 35 miles SW of Portland, Oregon. The grapes for this wine come from two blocks: Block 6, planted in 1998 with Dijon clone 115 and a small amount of Pommard (11 rows), faces SE slope on a hillside of shallow sedimentary soil at about 450-500' in elevation. The Terrace Block faces SW, planted in 2002 with the Pommard clone, and gets its name from the terraces carved into its steep slope.
Production Notes
Release Date: Mar 2022; Production: 875 cases. The de-stemmed grapes were fermented in 4-8 ton stainless steel and Burgundy oak fermenters with no SO2, allowing the fermentations to process naturally. After gentle pressing and settling, the wine aged in French oak barrels, 28% of which were new, for 16 months before bottling by gravity and without fining.
Tasting Notes
Shea Vineyard Pinot noirs emphasize weight with good acidity, layered flavors, concentrated fruit, and terroir specific flavors. The Shea Pinot noirs Mark has produced consistently out-age wines from other sites. He also considers them to be the most complex and detailed wines he makes. The best wines of Burgundy are exceptionally detailed wines that age very well. If we apply that standard to Oregon, Shea is a great vineyard. Shea is actually two vineyards separated by a steep ravine. Both of the blocks used for St. Innocent are located in the East Field. Block 6 was planted in 1998 with Dijon clone 115 and a small amount of Pommard (11 rows). It lies on a long SE slope at about 600' in elevation. The Terrace Block faces SW, is planted with the Pommard clone, and gets its name from the terraces carved into its steep slope.
Food Pairing Notes
Hearty dishes with some sweetness and richness like lamb chops, pork tenderloin, duck breast and lentil dishes.
Varietal Composition: 100% Pinot Noir
Appellation: Yamhill-Carlton District AVA
Vineyard Designation: Shea Vineyard
Aging: 16 months in French Oak, 28% new
Production: 875 cases
Winemaker: Mark Vlossak
94 Points - Vinous
"Limpid ruby-red. A highly perfumed bouquet evokes fresh raspberry and boysenberry, pungent flowers and exotic spices, and a spicy nuance builds as the wine opens up. There’s a compelling blend of power and finesse to the appealingly sweet red and blue fruit and floral pastille flavors, which firm up slowly through the midpalate. Closes sappy, youthfully chewy and impressively long, with reverberating floral and spice notes and well-knit tannins that add framework and final grip." -JR, Feb/2022
93 Points - Wine Spectator
"Detailed and structured, with boysenberry, sweet anise and fresh violet accents that gather tension and richness toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2029. 875 cases made." -TF, 7/31/22
